The award was presented this week at ITB Berlin
the world’s largest travel fair in Germany
local entrepreneur Heidi Savolainen from Adventure Apes was honored for her pioneering work in accessible tourism
The Scandinavian Outdoor Award Travel is granted annually to destinations and tourism companies that have excelled in the development of outdoor and adventure tourism
The awards have five categories: two for destinations (outdoor and sustainability) and three for companies (product
The purpose of the awards is to highlight the best Scandinavian travel destinations and development projects
attracting travelers from the DACH market—Germany
Ruka-Kuusamo was selected as the Outdoor Destination of the Year 2025 in the Outdoor Destination category
The winners are chosen by a German-speaking jury consisting of some of the most influential tour operators
"Ruka-Kuusamo is the ultimate year-round outdoor destination
offering thrilling adventures in every season
From skiing under the Northern Lights in winter to hiking
With a strong commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly tourism
Ruka-Kuusamo ensures that nature and adventure go hand in hand — all year long!” states Matthias Aßmann
CEO of Mandel Consulting and jury moderator
The award is a significant recognition of Ruka-Kuusamo's commitment to high-quality and responsible tourism
“We are extremely proud of this recognition
Ruka-Kuusamo is a pioneer in nature tourism
and this award reinforces our position as a top destination worldwide
We have invested in year-round tourism for years
and one-third of our visitors come during the shoulder season!" says Janne-Juhani Haarma
CEO of the Ruka-Kuusamo Tourism Association
The competition has been held annually since 2018 and has established itself as one of the most prestigious tourism awards in Scandinavia
"This award will increase Ruka-Kuusamo’s visibility in the German-speaking markets and attract even more visitors to experience our region’s diverse
Ruka-Kuusamo will also receive a gift card of 4 000 euro
one of the world's leading outdoor and hiking platforms
received a special award for her groundbreaking work in accessible tourism
The special Impact Prize was awarded to Savolainen in recognition of her leadership in promoting accessibility in adventure travel
"The Impact price goes to Heidi Savolainen for her groundbreaking work in creating accessible adventures for people with disabilities
Heidi is a true pioneer in breaking down barriers
ensuring that individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to experience the outdoors through innovative and specifically designed activities
Her efforts are not only changing lives but are also raising awareness
making a lasting impact on inclusivity in outdoor recreation
Heidi's dedication and passion make her a powerful voice for those who are often overlooked
she truly deserves this recognition for her outstanding contributions to accessible adventures"
This award is a valuable addition to Sustainablity Ambassador 2025 title
granted to Savolainen by Visit Finland this year
"I am truly happy that my work is being recognized internationally
as this helps raise awareness of accessible tourism
Everyone should invest in equality and make activities more accessible
It doesn’t really require anything more than an open-minded attitude—because people with special needs are not more demanding than anyone else
Travel experiences should always be tailored to individual needs
which is already common practice in the tourism industry”
Scandinavian Outdoor Award Travel 2025 was published in ITB Berlin
Impact Prize winner Heidi Savolainen (Adventure Apes)
Felicity Cross
A REINDEER farm in Finland is the last place I expect to find myself racing Max Verstappen
And during a whistlestop sled ride in the country’s northernmost region, Kuusamo, it is clear this furry namesake was named after the Dutch Formula 1 driver for a reason
I’m snug and secure in blankets but the experience at Palosaari Reindeer and Fishing Farm steals my breath as we career through pine trees on snow so pristine
This winter wonderland is known as Lapland - one of the snowiest places in Finland, less than 40 miles south of the Arctic Circle
It’s minus 10 degrees but sixth generation herders Satu and Mika laugh at the suggestion that the temperatures are a little extreme
with the rosy-cheeked lady of the house declaring: “Dad always told me when we hit minus 52
then it’s cold.” It’s the Finnish power of “sisu” at its finest — the name given to the grit they need to make it through life’s hardships
Settling into my luxurious log cabin needed little tenacity
with traditional Lappish chalets fit for four to sixteen guests and all overlooking a silent
I was elated to find it was the ideal setting to view the Northern Lights, which set the sky ablaze above our cabin in a flood of pinks, greys and greens.
After a late night watching the aurora with a glass of rich, red wine from our cosy living space, a morning on the lake was the bracing wake-up call that was required.
Fuelled by a hearty breakfast of the local delicacy of reindeer meat — sorry, Max! - and fried eggs from the resort’s Kultana restaurant, I strapped on short, spiked skis to snow-shoe across the frozen Tolpanselka lake to find a spot to try out ice fishing.
Instead we used steel augers to drill a hole in the 5in-thick ice
wrestling to turn the giant corkscrew as we grappled on our knees in the snow
local liqueur Minttu helps as we then wait for a catch with our fishing rods
But it doesn’t take long to get our first bite
because the fish are firstly hungry and secondly
as the good-natured guide declared the roach fish “trash” due to their size and suggested we toss them back into the lake
I head on to warm up with a sauna experience at Pohjolan Pirtti & Kievari
Owner Tanja explains that Finnish children are taken to sauna from six months old — something I draw on for strength as I sweat in the 80-degree smoke sauna before dashing down the hill in my swimsuit to plunge into the icy lake
The minus 26-degree shallows sting my legs like needles but the rush of adrenaline I feel on making it to shore is potent and I’m straight back into the sauna ready for another round
the Kuusamo region is well set for modern adventurers too
with Ruka well-served by a slick gondola up to the slopes of Valtavaara Nature Reserve and Oulanka National Park
There’s not so much concern over dwindling powder on the pistes, as experienced in other parts of Europe
And from June the region gets glorious sunlight 24 hours a day
bear watching and cycling on the extensive 900km of gravel bike routes
Our digestif came as a fun, apres-ski party with live music at The Zone where we caught a Bon Jovi tribute act
After a one-hour, 30-minute connecting flight from Kuusamo to Helsinki, I abandoned any need for sisu when I got to enjoy Finnair’s newly refurbished business-class offering on the flight home to London
The private, lay-flat bed felt a million miles from the ice cold lake and is so luxurious, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the real Max Verstappen on board
GETTING THERE: Finnair flies from Heathrow and Manchester to Helsinki and offers year-round flights to Finnish Lapland with an easy connection to Kuusamo
Return flights from £252pp in economy and £657pp in business class
STAYING THERE: Rooms at the Ski-Inn Hotel Ruka Valley from £83 per night
See ruka.fi/en/
A two-night stay at Rukan Salonki in a six-bed villa is from £1,084 in total or £90pp
See rukansalonki.fi/en/
MORE INFO: See visitfinland.com
Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/
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A summer holiday in Ruka-Kuusamo – surrounded by beautiful hills and forests – is the perfect set-up for an array of amazing nature activities and unforgettable experiences.
Kuusamo is only an hour’s flight from Helsinki
To get to the town centre from Kuusamo airport is around six kilometres
and it’s around 27 kilometres to travel north to Ruka
or Kemijärvi and continue by bus or car from there.
Finally, in Riisitunturi National Park just a half-hour drive from Ruka, you’ll find beautiful Ikkunalampi Pond
an infinity pool created by nature that’s one of the park’s most awe-inspiring sights.
With routes ranging from 13 to 166 kilometres
the event gives runners of different levels a chance to enjoy the trails of Oulanka National Park and the Ruka area.
For fans of electronic dance music, the Solstice Festival is an exciting music event held during the last weekend of June
This three-day festival also offers diverse art forms and fun activities set amid the unique natural environment at the top of Ruka.
.css-ukzcl{width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;height:68.4rem;}@media screen and (min-width: 600px){.css-ukzcl{height:61.6rem;}}@media screen and (min-width: 900px){.css-ukzcl{height:68.4rem;}}Lace up your running shoes and join the NUTS Karhunkierros trail running event for an unforgettable challenge
Credits : Veera VihervaaraSleep on the water
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The NUTS Karhunkierros trail run in Oulanka National Park and Ruka
on May 23–24 has already attracted over 4,000 registrations
Finland’s largest trail running event welcomes participants ranging from children to nearly 80-year-olds
— The youngest girls and boys turn 12 this year
One family has as many as five participants
says Jouko Kaarteenaho from Northern Ultra Trail Service – NUTS Ltd.
The most popular distances are the 34-kilometer run and the 55-kilometer course
which is also a part of the national Trail Tour Finland series
Next in popularity are the 83-kilometer distance and the event’s shortest and fastest route
women make up 70% of the registered participants
For the 166-kilometer race that starts Friday morning
following the Karhunkierros hiking trail twice
over half of those who started didn’t make it to the finish
participants have occasionally found themselves running through snow
the timing of the Oulankajoki River’s flood peak has caused suspense nearly every year
participants won’t need to hold their breath over snow or flooding
and the flood peak already occurred around Easter
No signs of nature-induced drama so far – though of course
the registration system behaves like an anthill warmed by the spring sun in the final weeks before the event
last-minute cancellations due to illness or overtraining will reduce the final participant count
INFO: NUTS KARHUNKIERROS TRAIL RUNNING EVENT
Oulanka National ParkSpecial: Finland’s largest trail running event
* 13 km: 364* 34 km: 1,524* 55 km (part of Trail Tour Finland): 1,068* 83 km: 821* 166 km: 278
Additional info about participants:Besides Finns
the most represented nationalities are Estonian
including participants from Hong Kong and South Africa
over a quarter of the registrants are from Uusimaa
More info including routes and schedules: nutskarhunkierros.fi
Around 50% of this impact comes from accommodation and restaurant services
Held in January, Pipolätkä has proven to be one of the most significant winter events in the Ruka-Kuusamo area
creating a substantial economic boost over a single weekend
along with their support teams and enthusiastic fans
“Pipolätkä is an excellent example of an event that has successfully combined timing
and the unique characteristics of the area
and now it’s bearing fruit for the whole region
The event has a long life cycle ahead,” says Niina Kukka
event manager at Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association
A well-functioning event concept benefits the entire region and local businesses
It would be extremely difficult to replace this level of economic impact through any other single activity
Pipolätkä will continue in Ruka for at least the next three years
thanks to an agreement between Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association and the event’s producer
and the area suits this kind of event perfectly
winter events always come with their own challenges when it comes to snow and ice — sometimes there’s too much
sometimes too little — but we’ve always managed well thanks to great cooperation,” says Jesse Koivurova
The next Pipolätkä tournament will be held in Ruka from January 15–17
you can experience some of the world’s finest saunas
including Finland’s first UNIQUE-certified ice sauna and immerse yourself in the rich sauna culture of Ruka-Kuusamo
a new sauna will open at the summit of Ruka
visitors can admire breathtaking fell landscapes
A holiday isn’t complete without a good sauna – a sentiment shared by many travelers heading north
Alongside downhill skiing and cross-country trails
visitors now seek open sauna sessions and ice swimming
The popularity of saunas has risen in all seasons
Kuusamo’s latest sauna destination opens at the top of Saarua Hill
The BASE Eat & Heat panoramic restaurant and sauna serve as a fell top retreat where delicious food
and outdoor hot tubs come together with the most stunning views of the fells
you’ll find a mixed-gender sauna offering expansive views of the protected Valtavaara area
offering the first-ever opportunity to sauna atop the fells
Now guests can enjoy a relaxing sauna experience surrounded by breathtaking fell scenery
Kuusamo’s vibrant sauna culture has attracted worldwide attention in Central Europe
Japan published a sauna manga book featuring local saunas
The Seven Star Smoke Sauna at Isokenkäisten Klubi has been the venue for significant decisions over the decades
its gentle heat is now more often enjoyed for relaxation
– Our father named the business 'Isokenkäisten Klubi' (The Big Shoes Club) because he hosted and saunated several high-ranking Finnish politicians
sauna hostess and entrepreneur Tanja Pohjola introduces visitors to sauna mythology
singing spell poems familiar from the Kalevala
she has prepared by freezing over 100 birch whisks
sauna traditions were carefully protected in Finland
and now there’s renewed interest in sauna history
Treatments with juniper whisks have been warmly received – one guest loved the spell poems so much they asked if they were on Spotify
Marjo Määttä has developed sauna services in the area with seven other female entrepreneurs from Kuusamo
One of their innovations is the award-winning SaunaTour KuusamoLapland – Wellbeing in the Wilderness
where guests embark on a 10-hour sauna circuit
Sauna experiences have the potential to become as popular as snowmobile safaris
– The tour features nine different saunas and includes guided services
Guests can also choose a single sauna destination
which is currently the most popular option
Määttä manages the saunas at Rukan Salonki Chalets and Pyhäpiilo
located by Lake Pyhäjärvi near an old Sámi sacrificial site
Finland’s first to receive the UNIQUE certification
will be constructed on-site by mid-December
This recognition is awarded to saunas offering distinctive experiences beyond the typical Finnish sauna
Five saunas in the region hold the Authentic Finnish Sauna Experience label
indicating world-class quality: Isokenkäisten Klubi
It’s recommended to book a seat in advance for the new BASE Eat & Heat
The sauna and ice dip at Hotel RukaTonttu is open for walk-ins from Tuesday to Saturday
Isokenkäisten Klubi offers open smoke sauna sessions starting from December 7th
Pyhäpiilo’s ice sauna opens on December 19th and can be reserved for Thursdays until the end of March
The smoke sauna is heated several times a week
Advance reservations are required for both
Ruka’s newest sauna opens on Saarua’s peak on December 13th
BASE Eat & Heat features a shared mixed-gender sauna where you can relax in swimsuits
The outdoor pool offers Kuusamo’s most stunning bathing views over the fells
and the breathtaking scenery can also be admired from the restaurant after your sauna session
BASE Eat & Heat is easily accessible by gondola directly from Ruka Village
Read more
The seven-star smoke sauna at Isokenkäisten Klubi has been the site of significant decisions over the decades
Renowned Finnish politicians have sat on its benches
While it remains a great spot for meetings
the sauna primarily offers a place to unwind and enjoy peat treatments
Swimming is available in Lake Heikinjärvi year-round
Read more
This sauna and nature spa is located by Lake Pyhäjärvi
the shores of Lake Pyhäjärvi are dotted with Sámi sacred stones
which now work their magic in the smoke sauna’s stove
an ice sauna is also constructed at Pyhäpiilo
You can take a refreshing dip in Lake Pyhäjärvi or enjoy a soak in the warm outdoor hot tub
Special highlights include a herbal body scrub and Vodka Socks that boost metabolism
Read more
built in an old barn on a historic family estate
Learn sauna mythology and enjoy spell poems
followed by a wild food dinner prepared by the host and entrepreneur Matti Pohjola
Read more
This hi-tech sauna combines the aroma and ambiance of a smoke sauna without the soot
Located just a five-minute drive from Ruka village
Read more
Read more
this sauna offers public sessions and access to an ice swimming hole in Lake Talvijärvi
Walk-in sessions available from Tuesday to Saturday
Read more
The AMS-KAJ-KAO-AMS route will offer Dutch travelers easier access to the winter adventures of Ruka-Kuusamo
The route will operate from January 17 to March 14
Seats will initially be divided equally between Kajaani and Kuusamo
with flexibility to adjust based on demand and availability
The new route is expected to bring over 700 travelers to the Kuusamo region during this winter season
– Improving flight connections is crucial for growing international tourism
This new route provides our Dutch customers with a smoother way to experience the unique winter landscapes of Ruka-Kuusamo
CEO of the Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association
Ruka-Kuusamo is renowned for its diverse winter activities
these experiences are now even more accessible to Dutch visitors
– This new flight route supports the northern winter season and enhances our region's appeal to a significant operator like TUI
The climate organization for winter lovers
Long-time partners Ruka Ski Resort and Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association are joining the celebration with a special event on April 18
The program at Ruka includes the POW 10th anniversary ski parade and an Easter holiday adventure called “Save Our Winters – Slope Challenge.”
Ruka has supported POW’s climate work from the very beginning
The Finnish chapter of POW was launched at Ruka in spring 2015
snowboarders and all fans of winter activities are invited to celebrate and take action for snowy winters
“POW does important work on behalf of all of us who love snow sports
and supporting that work is a no-brainer for us
I’m proud that Ruka and Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association have been part of POW Finland's journey since day one
It's an honor to host this 10-year celebration
and we warmly welcome all winter lovers to join us,” says Janne-Juhani Haarma
A highlight of the event is the POW anniversary ski parade
journalist and adventurer Mikko “Peltsi” Peltola
Everyone who enjoys the slopes is welcome to join—regardless of age or skill level
Participants can prepare for the ski parade at the POW sign-making workshop
where everyone has the chance to craft their own messages in support of snowy winters and carry them during the group run
“The four seasons and snowy winters are especially important to me
It’s amazing to see how much POW’s work has grown and made an impact over the last 10 years
I’m really looking forward to the ski parade and the chance to meet like-minded winter and nature lovers,” says Mikko “Peltsi” Peltola
From April 18 to 21, 2025, the Save Our Winters slope challenge invites holidaymakers to take part in a fun
educational and climate-conscious adventure across Ruka’s slopes (in Finnish only)
The checkpoints are spread across the fell area
with tasks and puzzles that highlight how everyday choices can shape the future of our winters
“Ski resorts provide an excellent setting to engage people in climate action
We wanted to offer Ruka’s Easter guests something inspiring and educational alongside their holiday
We hope as many people as possible will jump in and join us,” says Noora Vihervaara
Executive Director of Protect Our Winters Finland
All participants in the slope challenge will be entered into a prize draw—with the main prize being a summer holiday at Ruka for four people
Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association and Ruka Ski Resort were among the first and most committed partners to support POW’s climate efforts
standing by the organization for a full decade
POW and Ruka-Kuusamo are deepening their collaboration in support of sustainable winter tourism
The partnership will focus especially on promoting rail travel to ski resorts and accelerating the electrification of tourism transport
Ruka-Kuusamo is committed to financially supporting POW’s climate work and developing sustainable tourism in the long term
One of the key priorities is joint communication with visitors about the importance of sustainable travel
As one of Finland’s largest year-round travel destinations
Ruka has a wide reach and strong potential to create positive climate impact
“This anniversary event is a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in addressing the climate crisis,” Haarma states
we set out to build a community that would stand up for winters and bring the voice of climate advocacy into winter sports
we’ve become the voice of winter sports in climate action
This event is not just a celebration of the past—it’s a call to everyone to take part in the climate actions of the next decade,” says Niklas Kaskeala
Protect Our Winters Finland is part of the international climate organization that mobilizes winter enthusiasts—ski resorts
hobbyists and researchers—to become part of the solution to the climate crisis
POW Finland shares knowledge and tools for more sustainable lifestyles
works with diverse partners to build a society within planetary boundaries
urges decision-makers to take bold climate action
The world’s most renowned restaurant recognition system
announced the restaurants included in its Nordic Guide on Monday
New to the annually published list is Restaurant Tapio
Tapio is the northernmost restaurant in the guide
opened their restaurant in the heart of Ruka Village on December 23
after operating for a short time in the center of Kuusamo
The restaurant was originally established in 2018 in Posio
The Finnish-English couple runs their tiny restaurant with a two-person team
including cleaning and dishwashing – they have no additional help
and we are ready to work longer hours than usual
We strive to be better at our work tomorrow than we are today
Restaurant Tapio offers customers a seasonally changing menu featuring northern
The drink menu consists of natural wines and Finnish beers
– Our style is modern Nordic fine dining
We focus on high-quality local ingredients and aim to keep them as simple yet sophisticated as possible by using both modern and traditional techniques
Quality and freshness are guaranteed by ingredients sourced from Mourujärvi's family farm
from berries and vegetables to reindeer and wild products
Johanna and Connor fell in love while working in a hotel kitchen in the United Kingdom
They gained experience and skills in star-rated restaurants in both England and France
When Connor couldn't find a meaningful job
– It's not always easy to balance work and private life
We have learned to resolve disagreements constructively through discussion
The foundation of Michelin stars includes the quality of ingredients
The coveted star means a lot to restaurateurs
Achieving and maintaining a high level of quality requires professionalism
as I have worked as a chef since I was 15 years old and have dreamed of this moment ever since
This recognition encourages us to create even more amazing culinary experiences inspired by the ingredients of the northern nature
I hope the star attracts both new and returning customers on a culinary journey to our restaurant
Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association rejoices in the success of their newest member
Tourism in the area has been growing since 2017
The growth has brought new target groups to the area
the restaurant offerings have evolved to meet the needs of the modern consumer
Fine dining experiences utilizing northern ingredients are a fantastic addition to the area's diverse tourism offerings
– We warmly congratulate Restaurant Tapio on their Michelin star and welcome food travelers to experience the culinary art of the world’s northernmost Michelin-starred restaurant
Chairman of Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association
More details: Johanna Mourujärvi and Connor Laybourne, +358 44 243 1631, info@restauranttapio.com, https://tapio.restaurantMarko Säkkinen, Chairman of Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association, +358 50 0466173, marko.sakkinen@lomarengas.fi
The annually published The Michelin Guide Nordic Countries includes Sweden
It features high-quality restaurants noted by the Michelin organization and Michelin-starred restaurants in the Nordic countries
Michelin published its first Guide Michelin in 1900
which was distributed for free to all those who bought a car
Restaurant star ratings were introduced in the guide in the 1930s
and new trends come together to create unique taste experiences in nature
You can savor the elegance of French cuisine
enjoy dinner at the world’s northernmost Michelin-starred restaurant in the ski resort
you can taste local delicacies such as reindeer pâté
Ruka-Kuusamo is a popular outdoor and nature destination
offering many hidden gems for food enthusiasts
and reindeer are widely used in the area’s restaurants in unique ways
You can taste these local culinary delights on September 14th at the Wild Food Festival
One of the exhibitors is the Finnish-French café
where the festival is held at Kuusamo’s event square
The cozy and stylish café is owned by Kuusamo local Moona Mankinen and her French partner Arthur Bataille
who moved to Lapland from Nice a few years ago and opened a café-patisserie in an old bank building
Their concept centers on table service and five-star pastries
they’re introducing new treats like tar salt-dark chocolate macarons and reindeer pâté
The pâté is prepared in a French-style thin pastry shell filled with cognac jelly
These can be savored with red wine at the long feast table at the Wild Food Festival
I prepare savory treats and pastries using natural ingredients in a French style
The Wild Food Festival is a fantastic opportunity to sample our and other local entrepreneurs' creations in a relaxed atmosphere," says pastry chef and dessert maker Mankinen
where traditions and new trends come together to create unique taste experiences
Come and experience for yourself how the northern nature and gastronomy create an unforgettable adventure
Kuusamo’s Wild Food Festival in September is a gateway to the world of hyper-local food
The Kuusamo and Taivalkoski wild food kitchen
which forms the foundation of the festival
The food is made from pure ingredients freely growing in nature
Local entrepreneurs showcase their creations in five-euro tasting portions
Kuusamo Wild Food Festival
Opening in December on the Saarua summit in Ruka
the new sauna restaurant promises to take food travelers to new heights
The sauna restaurant offers an unforgettable combination of delicious food
and unique views of the snowy slopes and the Valtavaara Nature Reserve and Northern lights
Just a little more patience – it’s opening soon
Sauna Restaurant
Imagine stepping from the streets of Nice into the heart of Kuusamo
established by Finnish-French couple Moona Mankinen and her French partner Arthur Bataille
take you on a culinary journey where local ingredients meet French elegance
The French Cafe
The village of Ruka offers one of Finland’s most intriguing dining experiences
led by British chef Connor Laybourne and his partner Johanna Mourujärvi
you can enjoy dishes inspired by northern nature
Restaurant Tapio
Studio Restaurant Tundra offers an unforgettable fine dining experience where local ingredients
northern cuisine with an international twist
Ceramicist and chef Jarmo Pitkänen invites you to a dinner where every plate is a unique piece of art
offering a deeper dive into the secrets of local cuisine
Studio Restaurant Tundra
Who would have thought that such a high-quality pizzeria could be found this far north
combining local ingredients with Italian tradition and a wood-fired oven
Located at the base of the ski slope in Ruka
this casual yet stylish restaurant offers pizzas featuring local flavors like salmon and lingonberry
It’s the perfect place to indulge in Italian-style treats after an active day or in the middle of the day.
Pizzeria Ruka
takes you to the heart of Kuusamo’s food culture in the village of Vuotunki
you can enjoy traditional delicacies like game
whose flavors come straight from nature’s own treasure chest
The restaurant’s atmosphere and food transport you back in time
to the core of Kuusamo traditions and historical events
Pohjolan Pirtti & Kievari
Kujala Reindeer Farm has been in operation since 1860 and is now run by the fifth generation
The farm’s products are the perfect way to bring a piece of Kuusamo home with you
You can purchase items like reindeer tenderloin
and ground meat – not to mention reindeer bone jewelry.
Kujala Reindeer Farm
Wild Out also offers fantastic three-course lunches in the middle of the forest
an outdoor chef and wilderness guide originally from Poland
The lunch is prepared over an open fire using seasonal products and foraged ingredients
Wild Out
and arrive at the Ruka Valley village in East Ruka
where Camp Kitchen offers flavors from Turku to Thailand and from Nuorgam to New York
One of the restaurant’s favorites is the Asian Super Bowl with sugar-salted Kuusamo salmon
In addition to the delicious flavor combinations
this dish is impressive in size and sure to satisfy even the hungriest foodie
Camp Kitchen & Bar
Home - News - Fly X Simulations Releases Kuusamo
Visit Lapland with Fly X Simulations’ latest release
Fly X Simulations has released their second scenery in their MSFS line-up with Kuusamo Airport (EFKS)
and a popular destination for winter sports
Although the airport itself isn’t incredibly large
The airport has a regular connection to the Finnish capital
and a number of other airlines provide seasonal connections to from parts of Europe
Fly X Simulations’ rendition of Kuusamo Airport features detailed custom modelling and high quality PBR textures
The terminal includes a terminal interior and the apron comes with service vehicles
Fly X Simulations’ Kuusamo is available exclusively through the iniBuilds Store for £8.99 BGP
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the moon ringed by a halo and a faint dusting of stars
I shifted slightly and clenched both of my hands
squeezing ice-cold water from my neoprene gloves
if someone had double-dog dared me to jump into a nonheated pool at the height of winter
Yet there I was on a bitterly cold January evening: partially submerged in 3-degree Fahrenheit water and floating downstream on the Kitkajoki River in Kuusamo, Finland
my guide with local tour operator Rukapalvelu had stomped through a layer of ice that capped Kitkajoki
he recalled when the water was minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit during another Arctic river floating experience
I felt a rush of gratitude for our more fortunate weather and my marshmallow-like outfit
comprising a dry suit atop a thick winter suit
Finnish people are no strangers to such weather — especially the some 15,200 residents of Kuusamo
a northern municipality about 37 miles south of the Arctic Circle
Accommodations at the family-owned ski resort range from homespun ski-in/ski-out resorts — such as the aptly named Ski-Inn Hotel RukaVillage, where I rested my weary body for two nights — to the five-star, up-high Ruka Peak boutique property that offers a view of Russian territory on a clear day.
I cast wonder-struck eyes on Russia from another viewpoint: Kuntivaara, a 1,578-foot-high hill (Finland technically has no mountains) that provides a scenic, sweeping vista of Finland’s neighbor and former ruler. To get there, I steered a snowmobile with local operator Ruka Adventures, plowing through scenes resembling a larger-than-life Whoville (home of the Grinch) thanks to huge, snow-sculpture-like trees that staggered under heavy snow.
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my ride consisted of a sled and a regal crew of reindeer
In its fifth generation of family ownership since 1860
the farm is currently helmed by reindeer herders Juha Kujala and Jenni Marttila
I took my reindeer sled ride in near-complete darkness and silence — save for a sliver of moonlight and the melodic resonance of hooves against snow — and then hand-fed dozens of curious caribou in the property’s corral
But the ethereal appeal of Kuusamo extends beyond its lingering winter
The region — with its pine- and spruce-tree forests
three major rivers and more than 150 lakes — has a lot to give during other
Spring and summer bring blueberries ripe for picking and the wild bears that love the juicy snacks; clients can book day tours with local operators to safely watch and photograph the animals from purpose-built huts
Further opportunities for stepping outside comfort zones include whitewater rafting
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The DetailsRuka-Kuusamo Tourist Association www.ruka.fi
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After a stellar run with the drill bit Latitude 66 is set to wrap some financials around its exciting Kuusamo Schist Belt (KSB) gold-cobalt project in Finland where it is aiming for a standalone development with scalable options
Como Engineers has been appointed to run a scoping study on the project that will also explore scalable options based on exploration success
As winter sets in at its Kuusamo Schist Belt gold and cobalt project in northern Finland
Latitude 66 has kicked started a fresh scoping study due for completion by March next year
The company says the study should be finished in March and will build on the existing JORC resource of 650,000 ounces of gold and 5840 tonnes of cobalt grading 2.7 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 0.08 per cent cobalt
Although the follow up drilling campaign - looking for extensions down plunge and along strike - has now been wrapped up for the winter season
the latest assay results have yielded significant numbers
At the K9 prospect the drill bit jagged a solid gold-cobalt intersection of 4.75m at 4.54g/t gold and 0.10 percent cobalt from 165.8m including a 2.6m hit grading 7.5g/t gold and 0.11 per cent cobalt from 167.9m
Further hits include 5m grading 1.44g/t gold and 0.05per cent cobalt including a 1m section running 3g/t gold and 0.05 per cent cobalt from near surface and a 2m intersection grading 1.8g/t gold and 0.10 per cent cobalt from 137m
K9 is now showing all the hallmarks of a prospect with strong continuity of mineralisation from surface to 170m
‘The KSB Project Scoping Study will provide valuable insights not only for the KSB project development pathway but also potential scale up optionality.’
In addition to defining deeper mineralisation at K9
the drilling has expanded it further to the north as well
showing up high-grade gold in a sulphide-rich shear zone
The mineralisation now covers about 150m along strike at surface and 250m in depth
the projection of the strike seems to continue for at least another 150m north where it could actually join up with the K13 prospect according to management
Further shallow drilling will be needed to firm up that current working theory
new findings from K9 suggest the key part of the anomaly hasn’t been fully tested
The overall understanding of the geology at KSB is evolving with every new discovery
K13 as a target has now been prioritised for further testing to re-examine the structural tenor of the mineralisation
At the nearby K1NE prospect which sits 700m northeast of the main K1 resource orebody
the assays lit up with a 2m hit grading 4.4 g/t gold from 113.8m and a high-grade intersection of 0.10 per cent cobalt from 57m
The prospect was originally pinpointed after the company discovered historical drill results of 1m running 5.3g/t from a single 1989 hole which married up with a geophysical survey and a fixed-loop electromagnetic survey (FLEM) conducted by Latitude in 2017
boulder testing is continuing directly south of the current K1
K2 and K3 resource area and has helped the company pick up two new prospects after marrying up the surface samples with previous geophysics
Latitude 66 managing director Grant Coyle said: “The KSB Project Scoping Study will provide valuable insights not only for the KSB project development pathway but also potential scale up optionality
The new additional target areas generated demonstrate the untapped
longer-term exploration upside potential of the KSB Project and drilling will recommence following the detailed structural review of the KSB Mineral Resource.”
Latitude’s decision to team up with Como Engineers again to refresh the scoping study should come as no surprise after it successfully completed the earlier work at KSB which involved preliminary design and engineering in addition to significant metallurgical test work and pit optimisation
In taking a fresh look at the project dynamics the company is hoping to build on the earlier work to refine the existing resource at K1
K2 and K3 and optimise a standalone development while setting the stage for potential expansion
The outcome of the study will also help Latitude refine its advanced environmental permitting applications and map out the next steps of development
Drilling at the KSB project will restart once the spring season opens up and once the results from a detailed structural review of the K1 resource are in
is looking at how the mineralisation is controlled by hydrothermal changes
Latitude has also prioritised extending its exploration footprint by submitting two new tenement applications near its K1 resource area
As the scoping study progresses and additional assay results are anticipated
Latitude seems to be poised for what could be a transformative year at KSB
with the potential to significantly grow its resource base and solidify its position as a major European player in the critical minerals sector
Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au
new findings from K9 suggest the key part of the anomaly hasn\\u2019t been fully tested
Latitude 66 managing director Grant Coyle said: \\u201CThe KSB Project Scoping Study will provide valuable insights not only for the KSB project development pathway but also potential scale up optionality
longer-term exploration upside potential of the KSB Project and drilling will recommence following the detailed structural review of the KSB Mineral Resource.\\u201D
Latitude\\u2019s decision to team up with Como Engineers again to refresh the scoping study should come as no surprise after it successfully completed the earlier work at KSB which involved preliminary design and engineering in addition to significant metallurgical test work and pit optimisation
Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting
\\u2018The KSB Project Scoping Study will provide valuable insights not only for the KSB project development pathway but also potential scale up optionality.\\u2019
Ruka-Kuusamo's summer is filled with a variety of adventures in nature: Michelin-star dining
and almost a thousand kilometers of brand-new gravel biking routes
Ruka-Kuusamo's summer is short but incredibly diverse
This northern nature paradise offers bucket list experiences and enriching activities for adventurers
Get inspired by the curated list from Ruka-Kuusamo Tourism and grab last-minute tips for your summer vacation
Tapio received its Michelin star a month ago
the restaurant offers a seasonally changing menu with ingredients sourced from their own family farm
Kujala Reindeer Farm offers the world's only reindeer yoga
where you learn the pose of the downward-facing reindeer instead of the downward-facing dog
The class is held outdoors on Tuesdays and Thursdays
and you can pet and feed the reindeer at the same time.
Reindeer yoga
The French Café serves top-notch lattes and French pastries
the café transports you to southern France
though the macarons might taste of familiar Finnish Hopea Toffee.
The French Café
blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape
and other details complement the architecture and natural environment.
Magical Pond
The gravel route network consists of several hubs
the largest of which are located in Ruka village and Kuusamo centre
and paths in the stunning scenery of the area.
Ruka-Kuusamo gravel routes
Photographer Meeri Koutaniemi's photo artwork "Kyliltä kuultua - Eight seasons" is located in Kuusamo town square
Arts & culture
The three-day Taivasalla WKND event in August brings together all those excited about adventure and outdoor activities
The legendary Karhunkierros in Oulanka National Park is also part of the program
Taivasalla Outdoor WKND 16.-18.8.2024
you can raft seven magnificent rapids with the whole family
There is also a wilder route for thrill-seekers
River rafting
you get unlimited access to the summer sled track
You can also rent disc golf discs for free at Ruka
Ruka Fun Pass
In Pyhäpiilo on the shore of Lake Pyhäjärvi
a public sauna session is held on Wednesdays in July and August
The views open up to the magnificent Pyhävaara
Sauna treatments can also be booked in advance
Pyhäpiilo & all other saunas
ShareSaveLifestyleTravelFour Seasons Of Adventure: Why Finland’s Ruka-Kuusamo Is Worth A Visit Year-RoundByRana Good
Each season offers a vast variety of activities that you can enjoy on land or water
and no matter your age you’ll find something that’s right for you
Here’s a guide to all seasons in Ruka-Kuusamo
Finnair has direct flights from Helsinki to Kuusamo every day and the flight is a short one hour and forty minutes long
there’s also a direct flight from Frankfurt to Kuusamo
From the United States you’ll fly into Helsinki first with flights from all major cities as well as smaller airports such as Albuquerque
If you choose to book business class on Finnair from the U.S
you’ll enjoy full-flat beds perfect to get a good night’s sleep before your connecting flight to Kuusamo in Helsinki
The dining is inspired by the Nordics and features items like beets
Everything is served on tableware and textiles by Finland’s leading design brand Marimekko
I initially found that hard to believe since I know how shy and elusive these animals are
when we arrived at our bear-watching cabin within five minutes multiple families of bears showed up (it helps that there’s a snack waiting for them there) and they stayed for several hours
Couple Miia and Sami-Pekka showed me one of their most successful viewing spots which overlooks a lake and gave us uninterrupted views of this natural light show
Once it gets snowy (around October) they bring guests to see the Northern Lights via their custom AURORA-Wagon which is pulled by snowmobile
You’ll stay warm with hot drinks and can snack on Miia’s amazing carrot cake
These majestic animals are friendly (you will have a chance to feed them) and larger in real life than you would expect
Ruka-Kuusamo has one of Europe’s longest winters and typically the snowy weather extends until May
it will probably still feel a lot like winter — perfect for those who love frosty temperatures
Spend a few hours on one of the region’s many lakes and with a little patience you might catch a pike
You’ll get there by snowmobile which will add a little adventure to your more tranquil fishing experience
whizzing through the woods and snow to get to your destination
You can also book a husky safari to explore the region
where you and a driver will navigate the plains and peaks with the help of adorable and energetic dogs pulling you through the snow
Check into one of the glass villas at Iisakki Glass Village to enjoy the night sky and maybe spot some Northern Lights from your bed
You’ll be surrounded by forest and steps away from Lake Rukajärvi
In the morning an abundant breakfast buffet will set you up for a day of adventure
If you’re mainly interested in skiing, Ruka’s Ski-Inn Hotels & Apartments are located conveniently by the ski lifts and offer storage for your equipment after you’re done with the slopes
The rooms also each have a sauna where you can warm up and relax after your snow-filled day
All four seasons in Ruka-Kuusamo beckon with fun activities for young and old
Visit this region for adventure and to bask in the beauty of nature
is clear: “We know Russia and are not afraid of them.” Meet Jouka Manninen
One of Finland’s largest municipalities when measured by geographical size
geographic areas filled with forests and lakes
they nevertheless stoop on the list of most populous municipalities
They do not only share having long distances
These municipalities also share a border to Russia
Jouka Manninen knows this part of history well
He and his family have roots until way back when in Kuusamo
“I was born here and my father’s family has lived here for more than 300 y ears
The Russian invasion of Ukraine may have altered our view on Russia a bit
Do people not learn that war is a terrible thing
says Manninen who now prepares his municipality for reception of refugees from Ukraine
We feel that the Ukrainian people is fighting a war for all of Europe.”
Jouko Manninen does not fear that the aggressive neighbor to the east shall attack Finland
“We Finns have trained for 80 years and are prepared to fight if that were to become necessary
We have a strong will to defend our country
not least those of us living in the border areas near Russia”
Manninen is the mayor of a municipality in which unemployment has been above ten percent and the population numbers are dropping
A large-scale investment plan may have turned the situation around
People move back to Kuusamo and unemployment is down
It is still high when compared to Norwegian standards
the municipality needs more hands to contribute to continued growth and initiatives
Jouko Manninen has background from the military
yet he has also studied social sciences and got an education in wood processing
for a mayor in the middle of the Finnish forest bordering on Russia
The interview with Manninen is part a series called the High North Tour 2022
You can see the entire interview and meet Manninen in the video on top of this page
This article was originally published in Norwegian and has been translated by HNN's Elisabeth Bergquist
High North News is not responsible for the content or opinions expressed on external web pages
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Finavia has achieved this by reducing energy consumption in terminals and ensuring airport vehicles are refuelled with renewable diesel
Finland’s airport operator, Finavia, has successfully accomplished net zero carbon emissions for its own operations (scope 1) at the airports, Ivalo, Kittilä, Kuusamo and Rovaniemi
Work machines and emergency power generators have been powered with renewable motor fuel oil
have been awarded a sustainable tourism certificate
It demonstrates the commitment of Finavia in spearheading sustainable development for the aviation industry and working to reduce its own carbon emissions
“Net zero carbon emissions is an ambitious climate target
and we are proud to have achieved it at four of our airports
By switching to exclusively using renewable energy
we have reduced our carbon emissions by 98% in ten years at Ivalo
Our operations at all of our 20 airports have been carbon neutral since 2019,” says Mikko Viinikainen
Finavia’s goal is for all of its airports to achieve net zero emissions by the end of 2025
Kuusamo and Rovaniemi Airports have been certified in the international airport carbon accreditation (ACA) programme
airports are accredited at five different levels
The prerequisite is that carbon emissions are reduced by at least 90%
residual emissions are neutralised and that the emissions data and operations are verified by an external party.”
ten airports worldwide have achieved net zero emissions
These include Amsterdam Schiphol and Rotterdam airports in the Netherlands and Malmö and Göteborg Landvetter airports in Sweden
The carbon emissions of airports mainly arise from the lighting of terminals and other consumption of electricity
cooling and the energy consumption of vehicles
Finavia has been using zero-emission electricity since 2018
and airport vehicles are fuelled with diesel made from waste and residues
we switched to renewable motor fuel oil for work machines and emergency power generators at the airports of Kittilä
such as district heating based on biofuels
only a few percent of carbon emissions remain
Finavia participates in projects that meet the quality requirements of the ACA programme
where carbon dioxide is captured from the atmosphere by the amount of residual emissions
“The long-term goal of our climate programme is for our airports to be carbon negative
want to set an example for the entire aviation industry
We expect emissions from air traffic to decrease gradually as sustainable solutions develop,” Viinikainen says
Kuusamo and Rovaniemi have also been awarded the sustainable travel Finland certificate by Visit Finland
“Promoting sustainable travel is a common goal for the entire Lapland region’s tourism operators
The sustainable tourism certificates awarded to four of our airports in the north are proof of the work we are actively doing to minimise our environmental impact,” says Jonna Pietilä
Visit Finland has developed the sustainable travel Finland programme and the sustainable travel Finland label achieved through the programme for tourism companies and regions
The recognition was granted to Kittilä Airport in 2022
Ivalo and Rovaniemi airports in 2023 and most recently to Kuusamo Airport in April 2024
“Net-zero airports and sustainable travel certificates communicate to both travellers and our stakeholders that we want to do everything we can to promote sustainable travel
It is at the heart of Finavia’s goals and values,” Pietilä says
Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA), Emissions, Sustainability, Sustainable development
Finavia Corporation
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Jonna Pietilä, Mikko Viinikainen
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Videh Kumar Jaipuriar has been nominated for his exemplary leadership in managing and navigating Delhi International Airport (DEL) during the COVID-19 pandemic
He led multiple initiatives to ensure business continuity at DEL
which included passenger safety and convenience
and care for environment and employee safety
He proactively engaged with the government stakeholders and supported them in safeguarding aviation through strong confidence building measures for travellers
such as developing several indigenous technology solutions like air circulation with six changes per hour and a combination of UV and plasma disinfection systems to provide safest journey experience to their passengers
DEL has been forefront of implementing safety measures which was later adopted across the country
Jaipuriar ensured that DEL was operational for rescue missions
and transporting medical essentials to various parts of the country
He further led the Vande Bharat Mission flights of Government of India (a rescue mission to get Indians back to India)
as well as rescue flights by other international governments
His outstanding leadership across all areas across the stakeholders in the aviation ecosystem and going beyond the call of duty in managing and navigating this crisis for a national capital airport having national importance makes him the apt choice for the Person of the Year Award
Adnan Saggaf continues to demonstrate strong leadership skills throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and brought out of the box ideas in attracting traffic and to support his team during this difficult time
With new innovative ideas in balancing cash flow
the facilities were kept maintained and the personal were kept employed
Saggaf has protected the financial stability of his staff income
shown excellent performance of crisis management
and exceptional negotiation skills shown with authority regarding agreement restructuring and receivable payments
To handle the loss of Umrah traffic to the airport
to use the terminal with attractive offers and more reliable services
He built a new strategy by diversifying the airport offers
He prepared the facilities by deploying new technology and working on enhancing passenger experience
Saggaf also initiated a capacity building programme for the airside team by drafting SOPS
as well as initiating dedicated workshops to discuss ideas and to deploy new initiatives
and this is exactly what Saggaf showed and why he deserves to be awarded as the Person of the year 2021
Peter has been with the Sangster International Airport for over 25 years
operations and now oversees the security function and is also the Chief Operations Officer
Peter has been instrumental in co-ordinating the preparation and implementation of a COVID-19 response plan for not just MBJ
but to guide the operation of all agencies operating on airport
The aim of this plan was to ensure a safe environment for staff and the travelling public; therefore
this plan was instrumental to establish consumer/travellers/public confidence and provided information and guidelines on the new protocols implemented at the airport
Peter is well known for his expertise in investigation and aviation security
His co-operation with law enforcement stakeholders has been unrelenting in assuring the security of the airport and stakeholders alike
While Peter is known as a firm individual that displays the outmost professionalism and integrity
he operates on the basis of equity and fairness in all matters relating to staff
Robson Freitas has developed and led the BH Airport plan for the resumption of airport operations post-COVID-19
as well as being responsible for leading the group of Directors and Managers at the airport
defining the three main pillars of recovery: Health and Safety of People
Institutional and Integrated Communication and Institutional Partners
These central pillars include ensuring hygiene and health and social distances measures for passengers
in addition to participating in strategic committees involving the public sectors to comply with regulatory rules
Freitas developed the COVID guardians programme
who were responsible in monitoring and following up on the measures already implemented for COVID-19 and advising users
employees and other people on compliance with distancing
hygiene and health measures recommended by health authorities
He also developed a COVID booklet with information and guidance for the airport community regarding good hygiene and health practices and led the beginning of the publication of a monthly newsletter with passenger curve information
allowing the planning of reopening and rehiring by commercial stores
Freitas also supported the reduction of OPEX by planning the temporary closure of areas
toilets and equipment in common use and internalising some activities
Raghunath worked closely with all the aero concessionaires and cargo operators to minimise disruption and provide financial relief to them
The airline marketing team helped launch a historic first route to the U.S
West Coast and the cargo team at BIAL also achieved record numbers over this period
with the airport becoming India’s leading airport for the export of perishables
Raghunath has led a digital transformation and expansion at BIAL airport
with new initiatives and the deployment of the fully biometric-based self-boarding solution for seamless passenger flow and travel experiences and a process automation and analytics platform
meant that the airport won ACI World’s ‘Voice of the Customer’ initiative
which recognised BIAL airports efforts to prioritise their customers during COVID-19
Raghunath has remained a staunch and resilient leader during such an uncertain time and is very much appreciated by his team
Alicia Prince has played a critical role in leading and navigating Cairns Airport through the COVID-19 pandemic
Prince implemented a functional plan to ensure business continuity and staff welfare
segregating front-line operational staff into work teams to avoid interaction between groups
She ensured that the $55 million domestic Terminal upgrade continued safely despite the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis
She also deployed the COVIDSafe Operation Plan for Cairns Airport
which was endorsed and later commended by Queensland Chief Health Officer
As part of this plan Alicia developed an airport layout to provide physical separation of low risk and high-risk arrivals and initiated increased hygiene and sanitisation protocols
The health and safety of the airport community was paramount to maintaining operations
and in response to this Alicia initiated a COVIDSafe training program for the entire airport community and worked closely with her team to deliver
As a result of the great work Prince has done to ensure COVID-19 best practices
Cairns Airport was one of the first Australian Airports to be awarded an ACI Global Health Accreditation
Alicia also led the terminal optimisation project
which assessed and implemented terminal downscales due to the crisis
Significant savings (both financial and environmental) were achieved by reducing the operational footprint of the airport
Whilst maintaining operations throughout the pandemic was a priority
Alicia ensured her team were kept well informed and engaged
Cairns Airport has a team of 33 volunteers which form part of Alicia’s wider team
To ensure they remained connected and cared for
Alicia and her team created care packages including home-made cakes and personally delivered to each of the volunteers’ houses in a COVIDSafe manner
Alicia demonstrated great leadership throughout the pandemic and continues to do so today
Her clear and transparent communication and collaboration with other Australian Airports and key agencies to ensure best practice and alignment contributed greatly to business continuity
all the above was managed whilst working remotely and juggling home schooling with her two young boys
Balram Bheodari leads Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as North America’s most efficient airport
due to his vast knowledge of and astute attention to efficiency in aviation
which has allowed the airport to thrive in the most difficult of markets
and selflessness to provide a quality of leadership throughout Atlanta Airport
He oversees all facets of airport governance
including operations and a multi-billion-dollar capital improvement programme
designed to pave the way for Atlanta’s growth over the next 20 years
Bheodari developed a comprehensive resumption of operations playbook that served to support ATL’s recovery efforts
With guidance from the Federal Aviation Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) amid evolving health and safety guidelines
Bheodari steadfastly encouraged collaboration among stakeholders
he participated in daily calls with Airports Council International and other large-hub airports to share best practices as well as information from Washington
He aimed to restore customer confidence and ensure the airport was a healthy facility using COVID-19 safe protocols
the airport achieved Airport of the Year by the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC)
Bheodari was the most ardent supporter of our mission-critical employees
Having worked his way up through the ranks
he fully appreciates the oftentimes thankless jobs these employees perform that keep the Airport safe and running optimally at all times
Morale never flagged because Bheodari made sure those employees felt valued through hazard pay
His actions and his directives all reflect his commitment to the three key focus areas of our organisation’s strategic plan: people
Jonas Abrahamsson has shown the strength to steer the company towards its long-term sustainable goals
Abrahamsson has ensured that Swedavia achieved its net zero target for all ten of the airports in 2020 and has continued to support strategic development and innovation to further the cause of sustainable air travel
when passenger numbers where down over 90 per cent and a lot of investments were paused
he decided that investments in the company’s net zero target should proceed
allowing Swedavia to become the first net zero airport group by the end of 2020
Chris Dinsdale has worked at Budapest Airport since 2015
where he was nominated for the position as CEO
fought relentlessly to make sure that the company survived the crisis and worked with great commitment to secure the funding of the airport
a voluntary salary cut for the executives and the founding of the Budapest Airport Foundation
which supports blue collar workers who lost their job during the COVID-19 pandemic
After being nominated to CEO position in March 2021
Dinsdale continues to work closely with the executive team to create a clear COVID-19 recovery strategy for Budapest Airport
This will also mean that we come out stronger of the pandemic and have a clear focus
Dinsdale is an inspiring true leader who helped us all to cope with the very difficult times of the pandemic and I am convinced that he truly deserves this award
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who has been appointed as the new CEO of Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association
has an extensive background in the tourism industry
He transitions to this role from his position as CEO of Ylläs Travel Ltd
The leadership of Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association has changed as the previous CEO moved on to new opportunities at the end of April
with 20 years of experience in the tourism sector
will take over as the new CEO of the tourism area
Haarma has studied tourism research at the University of Lapland and is currently completing an Executive MBA at Henley Business School
"We are very pleased to welcome Janne-Juhani to the Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association team
He has extensive expertise in the tourism industry and has been a key figure in raising Ylläs's profile in the travel market over the past 8 years in various roles
International tourism is growing rapidly in the north
we ensure that we remain part of this growth," says Marko Säkkinen
Chairman of the Board of Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association
The new CEO will move to Kuusamo in the fall
he can already be spotted on the region's new gravel routes and in Ruka Bike Park this summer
HomecomingJanne-Juhani Haarma has a long history with Ruka and Kuusamo
He started his career in tourism at the Ruka Ski School at the beginning of the millennium
"I am very grateful to the board of Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association for this trust and am truly excited about this opportunity
This feels like a real homecoming," Haarma says
"I have been following the development of Ruka-Kuusamo's summer offerings with interest and it has been great to see the investments in year-round tourism."Contacts: Marko Säkkinen
Renewals are set to be made at Kuusamo Airport’s runway lighting system during the summer and the apron and taxiway
flights will be suspended from 17 July to 15 August
The airport company Finavia is set to renew Kuusamo Airport’s runway lighting system during the summer and will resurface the apron and taxiway
Kuusamo’s flights will be on a month-long break from mid-July to mid-August
Just under two million euros of the total amount of the investment will be used to renew the runway lighting system. Improvements to the lighting system are made with Finavia‘s climate goals and energy efficiency in mind
The runway lights will be replaced with energy-efficient LED technology
The summer renovation works also include the resurfacing of part of the platform and the entire taxiway
Flights between Kuusamo and Helsinki are on hiatus between 17 July and 15 August
Kemi-Tornio and Oulu airports serve the residents and tourists of the Kuusamo area
The renovation will employ 10–15 people from the Kuusamo area
and several local companies will participate in its implementation
Oulu and Kajaani airports are involved in the implementation of the project
Finavia works actively to build air connections and develop the infrastructure and service level of airports to meet the needs and wishes of international passengers
Kuusamo Airport is part of Finavia’s Lapland airports
and there is air traffic there all year round
Kuusamo Airport is ready for the new winter season
“By developing the airport’s infrastructure
we ensure safe and smooth traffic and can thus support Christmas and winter tourism
which is important for Kuusamo’s tourism
We are investing a significant amount in the renovation work at Kuusamo airport
Regional Director of Lapland Airports from Finavia
“One of our most significant marketing assets is the low emissions of airports
It communicates to tourists about a responsible tourist destination and the work we do for sustainable development
Our next goal is to achieve net zero carbon emissions at four airports in Lapland already this year
Kuusamo airport is one of these four airports.” says Jonna Pietilä
Airport development, Operational efficiency, Runways and pavements
Kemi-Tornio Airport, Kuusamo Airport (KAO), Oulu Airport (OUL), Rovaniemi Airport (RVN)
Finavia
Jonna Pietilä
By Jennifer Aument
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Meeri Koutaniemi is a renowned Finnish artist and journalist best known for her evocative portrait photographs depicting people and humanity
next to the popular outdoor destination of Ruka
she moved away for her studies at the age of 15
Yet she returns home to her roots frequently.
“Kuusamo’s forests are the best place for me – the most calming and inspiring of all places possible,” she explains
she enjoys swimming in lakes and rivers and going for long walks in the forest
to connect to the place that is central to her identity and fuels her artistic expression.
Koutaniemi shares five nature spots that “never lose their glory” and explains how summer in Lapland is “a time that makes one feel like everything is possible.”
summer in Lapland represents free movement of mind and body
She finds the omnipresence of light in Lapland's summer to be most enigmatic
"The summer has always been another reality to me," she says
"The never-ending light in Lapland creates the illusion that time doesn't exist."
Korouoma
is an excellent place to immerse oneself in the mystery of Lapland's summer
is accessible by car or bus and offers numerous activities
The stunning views you’ll find here are well worth the 100-kilometre drive west from Ruka.
.css-vfy9ip{width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;margin-top:1.6rem;width:100%;}Cast a line and take a dip! Korouoma is a popular destination for fishing, swimming and hiking.Credits: Harri TarvainenBreathe in at Riisitunturi National ParkKoutaniemi describes Riisitunturi National Park as the perfect summertime destination
Located in a mountainous area full of swampland and laden with spruce trees
it’s a national monument in the Koillismaa region that’s home to bears
Riisitunturi is around 35 kilometres from Ruka and is visited by hikers
and bird-watchers from all over the world.
Riisitunturi is one of the places "where you can feel summer in all your senses," she explains
"You can smell the needles of the conifer trees
and embrace the clean air and its oxygen."
Credits: Jukka RisikkoGlide along the Oulanka River The abundance of flora and fauna during Lapland's summer emphasizes the "relationship between human and nature" and creates a special feast for the senses that can't be experienced at any other time of the year.
Canoeing the 135-kilometer-long Oulanka River allows you to see this for yourself as you float through the pristine pine forests of magnificent Oulanka National Park
which are home to creatures including reindeer
paddling the river and enjoying the area's superb sandy beaches are two of Koutaniemi's favourite activities.
Credits: Eeva MäkinenFeel the rumble of Kiutäköngas Falls One of Finland's most well-known falls, Kiutäköngas isn't just a single waterfall but a series of steep rapids
the water erupts from a gorge-like stream bed that glows red due to a mineral called dolomite
And while the falls feature some of the country's most impressive rapids
they're surprisingly accessible – just a 1-kilometre walk from the Oulanka Visitor Centre
Koutaniemi recommends visiting in early summer for the ideal experience.
As the snow melts away, Korouama rapids are breathtaking.Credits: Michael MattiRest your eyes on Juhannuskallio Located right by Ruka Village inside Valtavaara-Pyhävaara Nature Reserve
“Midsummer Cliff,” from the ancient midsummer festivities that used to take place there
This is a fantastic place to take in spectacular views of the midnight sun and the entire Kuusamo region – on a clear day
you can see for miles and miles and truly feel the vastness of the surrounding wilderness.
Although Koutaniemi now resides in the Helsinki area
she credits her hometown of Kuusamo with being the place where she developed her values
“Kuusamo provided the peace that is needed for artistic creation
and its relationship with nature gave strength and inspiration to my work and life.”
Credits : Meeri Koutaniemi"The never-ending light in Lapland creates the illusion that time doesn't exist,” Koutaniemi says
Credits: Meeri Koutaniemi Credits: Meeri Koutaniemi.css-grat5o{position:relative;width:100%;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;overflow:visible;}.css-94pduv{position:relative;display:grid;width:100%;justify-items:center;grid-template-columns:repeat(4
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Tree huggers' top summer picks in LeviThe people behind Lapland's Tree Hugging World Cha..
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and this is not just a saying but a researched fact
Finland's air quality ranks clearly among the top ten countries or regions in the world
has been recognized as one of the cleanest corners of the world
Kuusamo, Utsjoki, and Sodankylä were ranked at the top for air quality in the World Air Quality report by IQ Air
which compared air quality in over 7,800 different locations around the world
which monitors air quality internationally with precision
measured concentrations of particulate matter in the air in 134 different countries and 7,800 different locations for the year 2023
The report was published for the sixth time now
only ten countries or regions fell below the air quality recommendations set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for particulate matter concentration
the annual average concentration of particulate matter should be less than 5 micrograms per cubic meter
Welcome to Kuusamo to experience the pure nature and make memories that will last a long time
Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist AssociationPhotos: Jani Kärppä and Teemu Lahtinen (Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association)
For six months of the year Arctic Finland is a wonderland of lakes
snow and the taiga – winter forest – which yields some of the most striking shapes in nature
The first thing they found was a heavy dump of snow and a stable cold front—with temperatures nudging -35 deg Celsius (-32 degrees Fahrenheit)
“I've always been intrigued by winter and its pure aesthetic,” says Klo, “and Finnish Lapland is the epitome.” Klo grew up in Arctic Norway and today runs photo tours out of Lofoten
so is no stranger to Scandinavian spectacle
“I’m spoiled with big mountain and fjord vistas pretty much from my doorstep—but Finland is completely different
As a photographer this means less obvious compositions.”
down jackets and shells was necessary to stave off the cold whilst static but triggered sweating during short bursts of activity
And this sweat then turned to frost when the next composition presented itself
(See what it's like to live in the coldest city in the world.)
“I always knew it was going to be a cold experience, but I wasn’t prepared for the surprisingly high humidity.” Klo says
“I thought it would be a lot more ‘dry’ cold
But the water in the air felt like tiny specs of rain crystals falling from the sky
This meant every object exposed would be completely frozen in a short matter of time
Stian Klo: "Outhouses don't come any better than this
it was -37 degrees Celsius and it hurt to breathe at times
told us a wolverine had just visited the same area
as he could see fresh tracks."The Myllykoski rapids in Oulanka National Park
Stian Klo: "This area is very photogenic and popular
I wanted to go home with different angles and compositions than the ones I had seen before
and decided to focus on the smaller and more intimate details."Photograph by Stian KloAnd with the northern latitude compressing daylight into just a few hours
“Sunrise was around 10.40am and sunset 2pm,” says Klo
“A normal day for us meant going out a couple of hours prior to sunrise to catch twilight and the blue hour
We had planned to stay out after sunset as well
but I have to admit we were both physically and mentally drained from having to endure the cold.”
But life is there if you look – and even when it’s not obvious, the landscape has the power to conjure its connotation, at least. “It definitely feels more alive than dead.” Klo says. “The trees have flash-frozen in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so if you have a playful imagination, you can easily see ‘life’ and creatures around every corner.”
Runway resurfacing is required at Kuusamo Airport to repair damage caused by the extreme winter weather in Finland
Finavia has announced that there will be no flights to or from Kuusamo Airport for three weeks in summer 2019 as the runway is to be resurfaced
“We have chosen this time for the asphalt work so that it will have smallest impact possible on air traffic
We apologise to passengers and airlines for any inconvenience,” said Jani Jolkkonen
The renovation work means the runway will close on 12 August
with the new and improved runway open to traffic on 31 August
the runways are on average 2.5km long and 45-60m wide
The runway at Kuusamo falls under this average
The maintenance requires a great deal of know-how and substantial investment
Jolkkonen said that the resurfacing is needed to repair winter damage
and a complete modernisation of the runway is in the planning stage
The cost of the Kuusamo runway resurfacing is nearly €1 million
The modernisation of the runway is a larger investment of about €10–15 million
Finavia’s Technical Director
reports that all the company’s runways are surfaced with asphalt
An alternative surfacing material would be concrete
but this material does not withstand the Finnish winter equally well
“Beneath the runway there are supporting structures that
are designed to withstand the load of the aircraft,” said Hansson
In addition to having the needed carrying capacity
the runway surface has to be smooth but built in such a way that water drains off
The flanks and ends of the runway need to be smooth and supporting
and there needs to be a safety zone at both ends
In addition to maintenance and modernisation, airports are constantly being improved. At the moment, Finavia is expanding the airports at Rovaniemi
“Our aim is to improve the customer experience and raise our service level and capacity to meet the needs of growth in tourism in Lapland
The investment has a value of about €55 million
It will support the growth of tourism in Lapland and promote the accessibility and competitiveness of Finland
the investments Finavia is making in tourism in Lapland will rise to almost €100 million,” said Jolkkonen
Airport development, Airside operations, Runways and pavements
Ivalo Airport (IVL), Kuusamo Airport (KAO), Rovaniemi Airport (RVN)
Henri Hansson, Jani Jolkkonen
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Rukakeskus Oy is building an entirely new pedestrian village in Ruka
The construction of the Saarua village will begin next summer with the building of an apartment hotel
the area is planned to feature a total of 1,500 beds
the Valtavaara Chalet safari center offering experiential services
The overall construction of the area is expected to take 5 to 10 years
– The first plans for Saarua village were made in connection with the Ruka Masterplan back in 2004
we’ve been refining the final village plans
and now we can proudly share how our fell is developing
one of the family company owners and chairman of the board of Rukakeskus Oy
responsible for the Saarua development project
The Saarua pedestrian village will be the second of its kind in the Ruka area
The pedestrian village in Ruka's centrum has gained significant popularity over the years
and now Ruka Village will have a counterpart in the Saarua village on the other side of the fell
The two pedestrian villages will be connected by the Ruka Village-2-Valley gondola lift
making it easy for visitors to access services in both villages
The planning of Saarua village has been carried out in close cooperation with the landowner
–Ruka’s investments and development are very welcome in Kuusamo after a quieter period in the construction sector
Ruka’s significance for the city’s vitality is crucial
The Saarua village will be implemented by the family company Rukakeskus Oy
which owns plots in the Saarua area amounting to approximately 5,000 square meters (k-m²) of building rights
as Rukakeskus Oy reached an agreement with Metsähallitus last week to purchase new plots
These new plots will add another 5,000 square meters (k-m²) of building rights
–The construction of the area will be done as carefully and steadily as its planning
so the construction will take 5 to 10 years in total
Rukakeskus has extensive experience with similar real estate development projects
The company’s largest real estate projects have included the Ruka pedestrian village (approx
approximately 1,500 new beds will be created in the Saarua village in the coming years
Construction of the Saarua village will begin this summer with Rukakeskus Oy’s Parkside apartment hotel
–The modular hotel is expected to be open to guests by Christmas 2025
The value of the Parkside investment is approximately 3 million euros
The majority of the apartments in Saarua village will be built using the popular Ski-Inn model
which has already been used to build over 600 apartments in Ruka and Pyhä
–The owner can use the apartment for 7+7 weeks per year
the apartments will be rented to Ruka’s customers
ensuring a steady flow of customers for the area’s services year-round
Saarua village will also include apartments and villas that are fully privately owned and can be rented out by the owner if desired
Saarua village is also planned to feature an international hotel
Metsähallitus is currently in talks with potential investors and operators regarding the construction of the international hotel
–We are pleased that we can provide our long-term partner with the conditions to develop Ruka
This also supports the search for a developer for the international-class hotel plot located in the heart of Saarua village
the Ruka area has an estimated 28,000 beds
Of the approximately 1,500 new bed spaces in Saarua village
and 300 will be in other vacation homes.
Saarua village will be located between the slopes of Ruka and the Valtavaara Nature Reserve
–Kuusamo’s unique nature right outside the door is a significant selling point
combined with comprehensive services within walking distance of the accommodations
The planning of Saarua village has also considered internal routes and paths that connect the area to the Valtavaara Nature Reserve and Oulanka National Park
The area’s pond and water features will be expanded to offer ice skating in winter
Together with the recently opened BASE Eat&Heat restaurant with sauna at the top of Saarua
these saunas will enhance Ruka’s already extensive sauna offerings
will be implemented at the Valtavaara Chalet safari center
which is planned to begin construction in 2026.
RUKA.FI/EN/SAARUA
Registration opens today for the highly anticipated Downhill Swim
amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Finnish Lapland—the happiest country in the world
Held in the crystal-clear waters of the Oulanka River in Kuusamo
this exhilarating event invites swimmers to embark on an unforgettable journey through one of Finland’s most beautiful national parks
the Downhill Swim is renowned for its joyful atmosphere and stunning natural surroundings
participated in the event with his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb
The experience was unforgettable for the presidential couple as well
“This event is more than just a competition—it’s a true connection with nature
Participants genuinely immerse themselves in some of the world’s purest air and landscapes
and the breathtaking scenery of Oulanka National Park make this an unforgettable experience,” says Kalle Kotiranta
The event is open to swimmers of all levels
from seasoned competitors to those seeking a leisurely adventure
There are a limited number of places available for pre-registration for both the 12 km and 24 km courses.“Swimming skills are essential for navigating this event,” continues Kotiranta
Even a small current makes a significant difference—saving half a minute per hundred meters.”
participants and spectators can enjoy a range of post-race festivities
“Ruka-Kuusamo offers a wide range of activities for outdoor and sports enthusiasts year-round
and this event is an excellent opportunity for us to show our guest the unique nature of Ruka-Kuusamo area,” says Janne-Juhani Haarma
CEO of Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association.
Swim and accommodation packages are available.
Read more: Oulanka Downhill Swim
Downhill Swim starts below Kiutaköngäs rapid
Participants of Downhill Swim at the start
Amazing sceneries along Oulanka river during Downhill Swim
Oulanka National Park is a memorable experience for swimmers
(TSXV: SIE) (FSE: A1XCQ0) (OTC Pink: SNNAF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce it has commenced operations on the Kuusamo project in Finland
This project is bordering the 'LK' PGE-Ni-Cu Project being advanced by Palladium One Mining Inc
The highly prospective Kuusamo project hosts similar styles of mineralization located within the same mafic intrusive complex and along trend of the mineralization at LK
Both the Kuusamo and LK projects show Ni-Cu-Co-PGE enriched sulfide horizons near the base of a mafic intrusive complex
Geologic maps of the area depicting this horizon show that it extends for nearly 30 kilometers along strike within the reservation areas
Management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to Sienna may not necessarily be indicative to the presence of mineralization on the Company's properties
Figure 1
"We are very pleased to have commenced operations on the Kuusamo PGE-Ni-Cu-Co Project
There has been a lot of excitement in in the past few days in this area as Palladium One announced a major discovery on its LK project bordering Sienna (September 29
This project is highly prospective for PGE-Ni-Cu-Co and shares similar stratigraphy to the LK project we border
we expect to commence operations in Norway on our gold project and in Ontario on our PGE project bordering Generation Mining Ltd.'s Marathon PGE deposit
One other aspect that also should not be overlooked is that Sienna has multiple lithium claims in the Clayton Valley
At the recent Battery Day held by Tesla (September 22
Elon Musk stated he is planning to secure Nevada lithium claims to supply his Gigafactory
This could be a significant game changer for all Nevada lithium projects
Clearly the remainder of 2020 will be a very active at a time when Sienna is fully financed for all is projects."
Ni-Cu-Co-PGE mineralization on the Kuusamo property is hosted by the Koillismaa Layered Igneous Complex ("KLIC")
a 2.4-2.5 billion year old layered mafic intrusive complex located in north-central Finland
The KLIC forms part of an east-west trending belt of similar intrusions and nickel
copper and PGE deposits that cross through Finland and into Russia
Ni-Cu-Co-PGE-enriched magmatic sulfide mineralization occurs near the base of the KLIC and has been mapped and drilled throughout the area
The Kuusamo Project covers substantial parts of the base of the KLIC and records show that at least five target areas have been drilled historically within the Kuusamo Project over the past 50 years
followed by drilling in 1997 and again from 2000-2005
almost all of the historic drilling was shallow
with most holes having reached depths of only 50-75 meters
Multiple phases of airborne and ground geophysical surveys have also been run across portions of the Project
with the data having been compiled by and acquired from the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK)
Figure 2
The technical contents of this release were approved by Greg Thomson
a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101
is focused on exploring for and developing high-grade deposits in politically stable
environmentally responsible and ethical mining jurisdictions
Sienna is partnered with an NYSE listed mining company on three separate projects in Scandinavia including the past-producing Bleka & Vekselmyr Orogenic Gold Projects in Southern Norway which are both greenstone-hosted gold systems
the Kuusamo platinum group elements (PGE) project in Finland directly bordering the LK Project being advanced by Palladium One Mining Inc.
and the Platinum-Palladium-Nickel Slättberg Project in Southern Sweden
Sienna's projects include the Marathon North Platinum-Palladium Property in Northern Ontario directly bordering Generation Mining Ltd.'s 7.1-million-ounce palladium-equivalent Marathon Deposit
Sienna also has the Clayton Valley Deep Basin Lithium Project in Clayton Valley
home to the only lithium brine basin in production in North America
in the direct vicinity of Albemarle Corp's Silver Peak deposit and Tesla Motors Inc.'s Gigafactory
The company has granted six million incentive stock options to directors
officers and consultants at an exercise price of 9.5 cents per share for a period of 12 months
The options have been granted in accordance with the company's stock option plan
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release
Kenorland Minerals is focused on early to advanced stage exploration in North America. The Company holds a 4% net smelter return royalty on the Frotet Project in Quebec, owned by Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada. The Frotet Project hosts... LEARN MORE
The path to the sauna at Isokenkäisten Klubi
the municipality of Kuusamo is a beloved outdoors destination known for its spectacular landscapes filled with rugged pine forests and river valleys shaped by the Ice Age
The Finns have a traditionally close relationship with nature; the country even celebrates an annual Nature Day
But while the country’s wealth of outdoor pursuits is renowned
there’s nothing more Finnish than the sauna
The Sauna Tour is a guided experience where visitors learn about the history and importance of the Finnish sauna—all while relaxing in the heat
Nine saunas in the region have banded together to offer a variety of experiences to those interested in dipping their toe into the tradition; even though it’s an incredible experience to hit them all
from a quiet sanctuary to a natural retreat to a place to regain your vitality
You can focus on the characteristics that speak specifically to your needs
The saunas on the tour fall into three different categories, each highlighting a different mood. On the “Alive & Strong” menu, for example, is Pohjolan Pirtti in Vuotunki (one of the oldest villages in Kuusamo), known as Sauna of the Old Time Stories
The Pohjola estate dates back to 1686 and is now owned by the 11th and 12th generations of the founding family
The current sauna building—home to a traditional wood-heated sauna
and an electric Finnish sauna (the type found in almost every home in Finland)—used to be the estate’s cowshed
and listen to family members telling stories of the old days on the estate
On the banks of Lake Heikinjärvi, Isokenkäisten Klubi—part of the tour’s “Slow & Silent” menu—is known as the Seven Star Smoke Sauna
The traditional smoke sauna is the modern-day sauna’s ancient ancestor
the smoke and heat of the sauna’s fire is trapped inside
The lingering scents of smoke and tar mixed with the birch leaves from the traditional bundles of birch twigs (that sauna-goers gently whip themselves with for smoother skin) create an atmosphere that Finns hold in the highest regard
Take your time in the heat and steam of the charred-log walls
then go for a dip in the cool lake water before starting all over again
The remote Iivaara Wilderness Sauna on the “Wild & Free” menu gives visitors the sense of being out in the Finnish forest
away from the sounds and lights of civilization
It’s a great place to imagine the days (only a few decades ago) when the sauna was a gateway into and out of this world
Don’t worry—all you have to do at this sauna is enjoy and relax in the light of the fireplace
consider a quick dip into the outdoor ice pool
Another “Wild & Free” choice, the Wild Herb Sauna of Ukonkivi features ointments
which add seasonal scents of the surrounding forest to the sauna experience
nourished by a combination of short summer nights and the trifecta of clean air
and soil are an essential part of the Finns’ love for keeping nature close
Spend your time here in either the traditional Finnish electric sauna or the gentle
but save some time to lounge in the heated bathtub under the starry sky while wearing a sauna hat
>>Next: The Best Places to Go Stargazing This Winter
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which means we may earn a commission if you purchase an item featured on our site.© 2025 AFAR LLC
(TSXV: SIE) (OTC Pink: SNNAF) (FSE: A1XCQ0) ("Sienna" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has significantly increased the acreage on its Kuusamo PGE-Cu-Ni Project (the "Project" or the "Property" or "Kuusamo")
in Finland directly bordering Palladium One Mining located in the Koillismaa Layered Igneous Complex ("KLIC") in north-central Finland
Sienna Kuusamo Project
"We are very pleased to have significantly increased our acreage that is bordering and surrounding Palladium One Mining
This new acreage now gives Sienna approximately 190,000 acres in the highly prospective Koillismaa Layered Igneous Complex ("KLIC") in North-Central Finland
This makes Sienna one of the largest land holders in this region
Sienna has just completed initial work that uncovered that the basal contact encountered is 23 km long and is the primary target for this project
showing similar characteristics and geological orientation as the bordering project of Palladium One
We have had initial positive indications to date on this project and adding this large new land package
enables Sienna to potentially identify more high priority drill targets at a time when platinum prices are at 6-year highs
We are planning to be very active in Finland and Norway in the coming weeks and we continue to evaluate the Clayton Valley Deep Basin Lithium Project in Nevada as the global demand for lithium is exploding exponentially due to the Electric Vehicle demand
Management is very enthused about the upcoming year for Sienna."
The highly prospective Kuusamo Project has the potential to host similar styles of basal PGE-Cu-Ni mineralization (Contact-Type) found at the LK Project and associated with the basal contact of the Syöte Block
Historical mapping and diamond drilling at Kuusamo has outlined an approximately 23 km long basal contact horizon along within the Syöte Block which is prospective for Contact-Type PGE-Cu-Ni sulphide mineralization
Sienna recently completed orientation soil surveys (total of four sections) over the interpreted contact region of the Syöte and Pirivaara blocks (Figure 1)
which targeted the B-horizon in the soil profile
were analysed using partial leach methods to identify mobile metals interpreted to be derived from local sulphide-rich source rocks
the targeted geologic horizon (contact region) showed anomalies in a combination of vector elements including palladium
Background concentrations for the vector elements were established at 0.09 ppb Pd
The lower limit of detection ("LLD") for these elements are 0.05 ppb Pd
Figure 1
Location of soil sampling sections within the Syöte and Pirivaara blocks
Anomalous soil samples returned concentrations in the vector elements that ranged from LLD to 0.21 ppb Pd
and LLD to 0.16 ppb Au in section Site #1 (Figure 1 - panel A)
and LLD to 0.57 ppb Au in section Site #3 S1 (Figure 1 - panels B and C)
and LLD to 0.71 ppb Au in section Site #3 S2 (Figure 1 - panels B and C)
with anomalies positioned at or near the targeted basal units of the two KLIC blocks
Results from section Site #2 were mostly LLD or below the determined background concentrations
Results from the orientation soil sampling program reflect a highly encouraging "proof of concept" for this rapid and inexpensive sampling technique
and provides the confidence for this technique to be used to screen larger target areas within the Project
The most encouraging aspect of the sampling program were the particularly strong anomalies seen in the southernmost sampling lines in the Pirivaara Block (Figure 1)
The Pirivaara Block is an outlying exposure of the KLIC that crops out from beneath glacial cover in the southeastern portion of the Project
Little is known about this particular exposure of the KLIC
but the Sienna soil sampling results shows evidence of strong anomalism in copper and nickel (Figure 1 - panel C)
and palladium and gold (Figure 1 - panel B)
along with the basal contact in the Syöte Block
Plans for continued exploration on the Kuusamo project include broader sampling programs using the same soil sampling techniques employed in this initial phase of sampling
as well as geophysical surveys (Induced Polarization or "IP" and detailed ground magnetics) targeting the prospective basal portions of the intrusive blocks
The aim of the broader exploration programs will be to identify the highest priority drill targets on the Project
Soil samples were submitted for analyses at ALS Scandinavia AB (ALS Global) whose laboratories are accredited by SWEDAC for several analytical methods and whose accreditation implies their compliance with the international standard ISO 17025 and ISO 9001:2000
The ALS Global Ionic Leach assay method identifies anomalous mobile metal ions which may have been mobilized and trapped within the soil profile
giving good indications of mineralized bodies under deep cover
Sienna Resources is focused on exploring for and developing high-grade deposits in politically stable
Sienna is partnered with a New York Stock Exchange-listed mining company on three separate projects in Scandinavia including the past-producing Bleka and Vekselmyr orogenic gold projects in southern Norway which are both greenstone-hosted gold systems
and the platinum-palladium-nickel Slattberg project in southern Sweden
Sienna's projects include the Marathon North platinum-palladium property in Northern Ontario directly bordering Generation Mining Ltd.'s 7.1-million-ounce palladium-equivalent Marathon deposit
in the direct vicinity of Albemarle Corp.'s Silver Peak deposit and Tesla Motors Inc.'s Gigafactory
Management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to Sienna may not necessarily be indicative to the presence of mineralization on the company's properties
Clayton Valley Ownership Map
Kodiak Copper is focused on its 100% owned copper porphyry projects in Canada and the USA. The company was founded by Chairman Chris Taylor (President and CEO of Great Bear Resources) and led by Claudia Tornquist... LEARN MORE
Ruka-Kuusamo has now focused on assembling the area's route network into suitable and scenically stunning circular routes
The design of the routes has focused on both scenic beauty and the utilization of the area's diverse service offerings
with the largest being in Ruka village and Kuusamo centre
there are intersections in Oivanki and Käylä
The routes can be combined in various ways
so there is something for gravel enthusiasts
The Ruka-Kuusamo gravel season begins in June with the melting of the snow and there is plenty to ride until the snow returns in October
Please make sure you do not make harm on the roads while biking
If the surface of the gravel road is soft or the route is otherwise wet
You can report any issues affecting the rideability of the routes to Ruka Info via email at info@rukakuusamo.fi
Such issues may include the grading or resurfacing of gravel roads (sharp crushed stones on the road surface) or the impact of vehicle traffic related to logging operations on the gravel road surface
The route alignments will still be refined
These routes are classified as easy based on the length
surface material and the vertical of the route
These routes are suitable for beginners and families.
The 21 km cycling tour of Lake Vuosselijärvi has moderate elevation differences and attracts cyclists of all levels to the beautiful scenery of Lake Vuosselijärvi
Half of the route runs on an asphalt-covered light traffic route and the other half on the gravel-surfaced Vuossel Outdoor Trail
Download GPX
This tour is a 21 km route with 170 meters of elevation gain
half of which is on gravel and the other half on paved roads
it goes along the Talvijärvi shoreline and through Moisasensuontie back to Ruka
This route is ideal for gravel or touring bikes
Download GPX
The Konttainen Circuit is a 28 km route with 320 meters of elevation gain
The trail goes from Ruka village through Vuosseli and Virkkula village
Half of the route is on gravel roads and the other half on paved roads
This route is suitable for experienced cyclists and offers stunning scenery
Download GPX
The Kitkajoki Loop is a 33 km route from Käylä village to Juuma and back
This easy and flat route follows Nummelantie and Juumantie
It is suitable for all gravel cyclists and offers beautiful lake and river scenery
Download GPX
Peeking into Kuusamo is a 28 km route around the city of Kuusamo
It is suitable for all cyclists who want to explore the urban area of Kuusamo
Download GPX
This route is a 26 km loop around the urban area of Kuusamo
This route runs along the shores of Toranki and Kuusamo lakes and through Kirkkosaari
Download GPX
These routes are classified as somewhat difficult based on the length
These routes are suitable for riders with some experience on gravel bikes.
winding past the stunning landscapes of Valtavaara
offers 500 meters of elevation gain and diverse nature experiences
Prepare for breathtaking views and pack plenty of snacks
Download GPX
Ruka - Käylä is a 47 km connection route between Ruka and Käylä village
The route follows gravel and forest roads through Vuosseli
This route offers magnificent nature experiences and historical sites
Download GPX
The Kiutaköngäs Circuit is a 45 km route from Käylä village to Oulanka National Park and back
and offers stunning nature experiences and historical landmarks
Download GPX
Kuusamo-Oivanki-Ruka is a 51 km long connection route between Kuusamo and Ruka
This route is ideal for gravel cyclists who enjoy clear gravel roads and beautiful scenery
Download GPX
This route is a 60 km adventure from Määttälänvaara to Kuntivaara and back
The route traverses sandy and narrow gravel roads near the Russian border
This route is suitable for gravel cyclists looking to explore the cultural landscapes of the area
Download GPX
The Nissinvaara Circuit is a 50 km route from Kuusamo center to Nissinvaara village and back
This route also offers the opportunity to visit Kujala Reindeer Farm
This route is suitable for mountain and gravel bikers with some prior experience
Download GPX
Kuusamo has the third highest number of lakes in Finland
this 72 km route is replete with gleaming blue lakes
Download GPX
These routes are classified as challenging based on the length
These routes are suitable for experienced gravel riders.
The 61 km gravel route from the landscapes of Ruka to the shores of Lake Kitka includes a detour to Kouvervaara
offering elevation changes over several kilometers
including a few technically challenging sections
Download GPX
The Kouvervaara Experience is a challenging and technical 69 km route in the Kouvervaara terrain
It is suitable for experienced riders seeking a challenge
and trail sections (including boardwalk sections on swamps)
Download GPX
The Ruka - Määttälänvaara - Kuusamo route connects Ruka and Kuusamo town centers
This 70 km long route runs east of Kemijärvi and offers varied gravel roads and rural landscapes
Määttälänvaara serves as a midway point with cultural and historical significance
Download GPX
The Salpa Line and Iivaara Circuit is a 92 km route from Kuusamo's Karhuntassu to the summit of Iivaara and back
The route passes through historical Salpa Line landscapes and offers stunning hill views
Download GPX
Northeastern Kuusamo is an 79 km route that runs from Kuusamo center through Kemijärventie and Hiidenjärvi and back
Half of the route is paved and half is gravel roads
This route offers combinable route options and beautiful scenery
Download GPX
The Rethinking North project aims to develop Ruka-Kuusamo as a year-round tourist destination
The conceptualization of gravel cycling routes and the development of services tailored to gravel cyclists’ needs have been carried out through this project.
Several hundred charter flights are scheduled for arrival in northern Finland in December
Preliminary statistics indicate that the number of Christmas holiday tourists arriving in Lapland and the Kuusamo region this year is likely to hit pre-Covid levels
Sian Porter arrived from London with her family to spend Christmas in Kuusamo
“We are not afraid of the coronavirus
She is one of many Europeans who are flying to northern Finland on holiday now that charter flights have resumed after the break caused by the coronavirus pandemic
Preliminary reservations have been made for the arrival of hundreds of charter flights from all over Europe to the northern region of Kuusamo and airports in Finnish Lapland during the Christmas holiday season
Pent-up demand for travel in Europe is being reflected in the fact that even more charter flights to Kuusamo are now expected during the Christmas period than were seen before the pandemic
Although the latest coronavirus variant is being diagnosed in Europe, including in Finland
tourists who have already arrived in northern Finland do not seem to be afraid to travel
All charter flight passengers arriving in Kuusamo are being required to present valid documentation showing that they have received two coronavirus vaccinations
Sian Porter and her family members will also have to be tested for the virus within two days of returning to their home country
More than 80 charter flights will land at Kuusamo Airport alone in December
and there have been no cancellations so far
Airport operator Finavia has prepared for the possible spread of the new Omicron variant by
upgrading cleaning services and instating mask requirements
“The new season is being awaited with great joy and confidence,” says Sari Päivärinta
The number of flights is now slightly higher than in December 2019
but Päivärinta is unwilling predict the future
there have been no cancellations and hopefully there will be none
the travel situation will remain safe this winter,” she adds
the booking situation is currently good in Lapland as well
there are 80 planeloads of tourists booked for arrival at Enontekiö
“We are getting about 90 percent of the charter flights to Rovaniemi
Kittilä and Ivalo seen in 2019,” explains Elina Suominen
Finavia’s communications coordinator
a total of 724 charter flights arrived in Rovaniemi
an infectious disease physician at the Lapland Hospital District
is not worried about tourists arriving in the north before and during Christmas
He believes that the Omicron variant will become more prevalent in Finland in the future
but he does not see it as posing much risk for Christmas holiday tourism
“Vigilance must be exercised and maintained in order to quickly cut off any chains of infection,” Väänänen says
it is possible that some tourists may carry the variant
“The program for charter travellers is usually pretty tight and they usually stay largely in their own bubble
the staff who work directly with them and thus the rest of the population could be in the danger zone,” Väänänen points out
the health centre has prepared for possible infections among by tourists in cooperation with local tourism operators
“We have prepared guidelines for businesses in the tourism sector on what to do if a tourist shows symptoms of a coronavirus infection while in Kuusamo
They will pass on this information to visitors,” explains Marika Käkelä
a doctor responsible for infectious control in the area
the CEO of the tourism service Tailored Adventures Rukapalvelu
and I see no reason to panic,” says Kämäräinen
According to Finnish isolation and quarantine practices
anyone infected with the coronavirus should avoid contact with others until he or she has been asymptomatic for two days
and at least 10 days have passed since the onset of symptoms
An infectious disease doctor may order quarantine of an asymptomatic person who has been exposed to the coronavirus
Anyone who has received a full series of vaccinations will not normally be quarantined after exposure
but will be advised to have a test if they develop symptoms after exposure
While both health officials and tourism sector operators are hopeful for a successful holiday season in the north
only time will tell how the new coronavirus situation will impact charter tourism this year
Canada: Omicron variant cases in Canada prompt new travel rules for Nunavik, Quebec
Finland: How not to promote Arctic tourism: Why Finland’s Indigenous Sami say marketing their region needs to change
Iceland: Iceland extends COVID-19 measures for at least two weeks
Greenland: Greenland’s new domestic and international COVID-19 rules in effect until March 6
Norway: Svalbard nixes submarine, helicopter activities offered by luxury Arctic cruises
Russia: Nornickel debuts in tourism, starts king crab safari in border area to Norway
Sweden: Sweden to introduce new Covid-19 measures on Dec. 8
For more news from Finland visit Yle News
and website in this browser for the next time I comment
The world's northernmost light installation on the slopes will glow again in January amidst the polar night
displaying more vibrant colors and lights than ever before
The festival is held between 10th of January and 3rd of February
The festival is brought to our guests by Sun Effects
Ruka Ski Resort and Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association to cheer up people in the middle of dark winter with light artworks
As these artworks glow in the magical winter scenery of Kuusamo
going out to the cold feels like an adventure
Some of these light artworks can also be experienced on skis and stiga-racers
but some of the lights are placed on the ski slope
You can see and experience the whole event best by skiing on the Kuru slope
The gondola also takes you to the top of Saarua
from where you can admire the lights of Kuru
Welcome to enjoy the light art in the middle of our uniquely gorgeous northern landscape
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The CEO of the Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association
Mats Lindfors will be taking on new challenges in the spring
and the association will immediately open a CEO recruitment process
Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association's CEO Mats Lindfors is set to embark on new challenges in April 2024
He has served in his position for 10 years
various aspects of cooperation in the tourism area have been developed in multiple ways: broader networking
close collaboration with the tourism business network
and other collaborative networks such as the Council of Oulu Region (Pohjois-Pohjanmaan Liitto) and the local business development company Naturpolis Oy Nordic Business Center
Significant efforts have been made to develop events and year-round activities in the area
as well as collaboration with various parties
particularly concerning major events such as FIS Ruka Nordic
The board of Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association warmly thanks Mats for the work he has done for the region
He has persistently and successfully advanced development issues
been an active player in securing development projects for the region
which in turn have improved the prospects for business success
Mats has had the ability to see further and believe in positive outcomes
We wish Mats luck and success in his future endeavors
as well as smooth riding on the slopes and in the powder
"It has been a great pleasure for me to work and live in Kuusamo during a period of strong development
and the extensive network of stakeholders for their strong and successful cooperation
The journey and the development of tourism continue!" says Mats Lindfors
Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association was founded in 2002
The association's purpose is to enhance the attractiveness and recognition of the area as a year-round tourist destination in both domestic and international markets
Our goal is to become Finland's most popular year-round tourist destination by 2026
The association's activities involve approximately 150 companies
representing over 95% of the region's tourism income
The core tasks of the association include improving the area's attractiveness and recognition as a year-round tourism destination
promoting joint international sales and marketing activities in the tourism area
improving flight connections to Kuusamo and local transportation services
as well as acting as an advocate for the tourism industry in our region
The recruitment process for the new CEO of Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association will be opened immediately
For more information:Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association
+358 500 466 173Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association
either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter
or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources
Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content
There's nothing quite as cute as seeing a baby experiencing something for the first time
Whether it's a child's first bite of cake or a puppy learning a new trick
these videos tend to strike a chord with anyone who watches them
was found in the yard of a house in May and its mother was nowhere to be found
In the video posted to Youtube
a voice heard in the background says "In Finland
we enjoy spending time outdoors especially after the first snowfall."
Aina is seen rolling around and covering her fur in all the snow
At one point Karjalainen sits down and takes out a thermos of coffee and holds out a cup as if to share with Aina
Aina is seen jumping up and down like an excited puppy as she and Karjalainen make their way toward the water
Karjalainen opened the Kuusamo Predator Center in the early 1990s
The center is open to visitors who can come and see the animals up close
Karjalainen gives viewers a closer look at his interactions with the animals that most people might be frightened by
As he unloads a box of fruit onto a picnic table
a large bear walks right next to him and hops up on the table
"You develop a kind of friendship with the animal," he said through an English subtitle on the video
a large bear begins to lick Karjalainen's face much like a dog might do
According to VisitFinland.com there are around 2,000 brown bears freely roaming the country and tourists can sign up for bear-watching safaris to get a closer look
A report from earlier this year found that in North America brown bears were responsible for the most fatal animal attacks
bears have killed 70 people in North America
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground
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Ruka ski resort in Lapland gets a makeover from the world’s northernmost light festival
Polar Night Light Festival can be experienced on and off skis until the 4th of February 2018
Watch the event video and see how the usual lighting is shut down and the festival lights turned on.
Polar Night Light Festival offers a new way to experience the wintery fell sceneries of northern Finland
The festival is organized for the second time
and this year even the advertising lights and billboards in Ruka Village are shut down during the event
offering a blank canvas for the festival lights and creating a unique atmosphere to the heart of Ruka
”Never before has Ruka been lit up like this”
The usual illumination on Ruka’s ski slopes has been shut down and replaced with purple
The massive area lighting installation covers several ski slopes making the scenery look like a winter wonderland from another world
”Polar Night Ride on Friday evenings from 7 pm to 11 pm offers a great way for skiers and snowboarders to become a part of the light art
We encourage our guests to put on light sources such as headlamps or reflectors when heading up to the slopes
so they can bring their own lively shine to the light installations”
The festival lighting is focused on the front slopes
so slopes in the east side of Ruka Ski Resort are lighted up as usual
In addition to Ruka Ski Resort and Ruka Village
Polar Night Light Festival can be experienced in Kuusamo city
The water tower of Kuusamo shines in colours
and there is a light art exhibition indoors on the top of the tower with great views to the surrounding city
The exhibition consists of nine contemporary light art pieces
Lantern Park on the bottom of the tower is also well worth seeing when the day turns to night and multiple lanterns light up their snowy surroundings
The creative and playful Lantern Park is known from LUX Helsinki
but in Kuusamo it has a local twist: some of the lanterns are made by students of the local Nilo’s school
more than 700 people visited Polar Night Light Festival exhibition in the water tower
Tickets & special offers for Polar Night Light Festival:
Polar Night Light Festival has no admission fees apart from the live gigs
Ruka’s restaurants have several 10 € meal deals
Polar Night Light Festival is produced in collaboration with Sun Effects
City of Kuusamo and Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association
See video of Polar Night Light Festival’s opening weekend: https://vimeo.com/252323105
Upload the video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17ihimYAsy8rzUr6aYMGwrhyN9vMFfd-Q/view
Polar Night Light Festival 2018 photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1i6OCJZeiX463ABlyjppfuiSUr9pZxKAK
Marketing and Digital Business Development
tel. +358 50 573 0707 or reino.tikkanen@ruka.fi
www.ruka.fi/en/lightfestival
www.facebook.com/polarnightlightfestival