Winter Solstice

Experience the darkest night of the year on snowshoes in Lapland, in Riisitunturi National Park.

On 21 December, we travel from Ruka to Riisitunturi for a special evening snowshoe adventure during the winter solstice – the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

We arrive after dark, put on our snowshoes and headlamps and set off through the snow-covered forest towards the higher landscapes of Riisitunturi.

This is kaamos, the darkest time of the Arctic winter. The daylight hours are short, the sun stays low above the horizon and the forest spends most of the day in shades of blue and darkness.

On this particular evening, we stay outside until the exact moment of the winter solstice.

The Turning Point of Winter

The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

In Kuusamo, the sun is above the horizon for less than three hours around the winter solstice.

But the solstice is not only a date on the calendar. It is a precise astronomical moment.

In 2026, the winter solstice occurs on 21 December at 22:50 local time.

Our evening is planned around being outdoors at Riisitunturi when that moment arrives.

After the solstice, the direction slowly begins to change. The days start to grow longer again, little by little.

Winter Solstice at 22:50

We leave Ruka in the evening and drive approximately 45 minutes to Riisitunturi National Park.

With headlamps showing the way, we snowshoe through the forest and gradually climb towards the higher landscapes of Riisitunturi.

Our aim is to reach a suitable place before 22:50, with enough time to stop and settle into the winter night.

As the solstice approaches, we switch off our headlamps and let our eyes adjust to the natural darkness.

At 22:50, we raise a cup of hot chocolate to the winter solstice and the gradual return of light.

Afterwards, we put our headlamps back on and begin the journey down through the forest.

Riisitunturi After Dark

Riisitunturi National Park is well known for its winter forests and spruce trees that can become heavily covered in snow during the coldest months.

At night, the landscape becomes quieter still.

Our headlamps illuminate the trail and nearby trees, while beyond the light is the darkness of the winter forest.

On a clear night, we may see stars. Riisitunturi is also a good place for observing the Northern Lights, away from the brighter lights of Ruka.

Auroras are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed. If they appear during our adventure, we are happy to stay outside a little longer to enjoy them.

Experience Highlights

• Experience the winter solstice in Lapland, Riisitunturi National Park

• Be outdoors at the exact moment of the 2026 winter solstice

• Snowshoe through the snow-covered forest after dark

• Experience the natural darkness of the Arctic winter

• Switch off your headlamp and let your eyes adjust to the night

• Enjoy hot chocolate at the moment of the solstice

• Small group with a professional local nature guide

• Transportation from the Ruka area included

At a Glance

Date: 21 December 2026
Departure: 20:00
Return: approximately 00:30 to Ruka, 01:00 to Kuusamo
Duration: approximately 4.5 hours
Location: Riisitunturi National Park, Lapland
Pick-up: Ruka area and Kuusamo center
Group size: 2–8 participants
Minimum age: 12 years
Difficulty: Moderate
Languages: English and Finnish
Price: €169 / person

If the Northern Lights appear during our adventure, we are happy to stay outside a little longer to enjoy them.

The Evening

We leave Ruka at approximately 20:00 for the 45-minute drive to Riisitunturi National Park.

After arriving, we fit our snowshoes and headlamps and go through a short introduction before setting off into the forest.

The snowshoe journey towards the higher landscapes of Riisitunturi takes approximately 1–1.5 hours. The exact route and pace depend on the snow and weather conditions.

Our aim is to arrive with enough time to slow down before the winter solstice at 22:50.

We stop for hot chocolate, switch off our headlamps for a while and experience the solstice moment in the winter landscape.

Afterwards, we begin our descent. The journey down takes approximately 30–40 minutes, followed by the drive back to Ruka.

We expect to return at around 00:30.

The exact timing may vary depending on snow conditions, weather and the pace of the group. If the Northern Lights appear, we may also stay outside a little longer.

What's Included

• Professional local nature guide

• Pick-up and drop-off in the Ruka area

• Transportation to and from Riisitunturi National Park

• Snowshoes and poles

• Headlamp

• Hot chocolate

Is This Experience Suitable for Me?

Previous snowshoeing experience is not required. Your guide will show you how to use the equipment before we start.

The route includes uphill and downhill sections in natural winter terrain. Deep or soft snow can make snowshoeing more demanding, so a moderate level of physical fitness is required.

Participants should be comfortable spending several hours outdoors in winter conditions and walking in darkness with a headlamp.

The minimum age is 12 years.

If you are unsure whether the experience is suitable for you, please contact us before booking.

What Should I Wear?

Warm winter clothing is essential.

We recommend several warm layers, insulated winter boots, warm gloves or mittens and a winter hat.

Snowshoes, poles and a headlamp are provided.

Need Winter Clothing?

Winter clothing and boots are not included in the experience.

If you do not have suitable clothing for Arctic winter conditions, winter clothing can be rented separately.

Winter Weather Is Part of the Experience

Snowfall, wind, cold temperatures and limited visibility are natural parts of winter at Riisitunturi.

A clear sky, stars or Northern Lights cannot be guaranteed.

Your guide assesses the conditions throughout the evening and adapts the route when necessary.

Our aim is to experience the winter solstice outdoors at Riisitunturi at 22:50. The exact place where we stop will depend on the conditions that evening.

Safety always comes first.

Book your Winter Solstice adventure below

21 December 2026 | Riisitunturi National Park

Experience the darkest time of the Arctic winter on snowshoes and join us outdoors at the exact moment of the winter solstice.

Small group, maximum 8 participants.