Two of the world’s most reliable resorts for snow cover, Finland’s Levi and Ruka, have got their 26-27 ski seasons started this morning and they’ll be staying open now right through to May next year, more than seven months!
How Do Levi and Ruka Open So Early?
The two areas manage their early October opening by recycling huge piles of snow they stockpiled last spring and have stored under covers through the summer. Ruka has refined the method since the late 1990s, storing around 150,000 m³ of snow under sawdust, white fabric and Snow Secure insulation, preserving up to 80% of the pile through summer. Levi operates at even greater scale, entering the season with nearly 300,000 m³ in storage on its Front Slopes and World Cup terrain.
Both resorts spread the snow back out as early autumn temperatures drop close to freezing at their northerly latitudes in Lapland, up near the Arctic Circle. They create a few kilometres of downhill slopes, some terrain park features and several kilometres of cross-country tracks.
Want the full story on the technique? Read our feature on how Finland’s snow-saving mats are transforming ski resorts.
What’s Open at Levi and Ruka on Opening Day?
Levi kicked off at Zero Point at 09:00 this morning, with the Front Slopes, Levi Glacier, the park and moguls opening at 09:30. Ruka mirrored the timing, unveiling its Saarua area with three lifts spinning. Despite the murky skies, both resorts reported steady early-season turnout.
Can You Book a Ski Holiday to Finland From the UK?
A number of British tour operators including Heidi and Inghams offer ski holidays to Finland once the main season gets underway in December.
Planning further ahead? Our ski season planner has opening and closing dates for resorts around the world, and Ruka also features in our guide to the best snow-sure ski resorts.
Finland Ski Season FAQs
When does the ski season start in Finland?
Levi and Ruka in Finnish Lapland are usually the first resorts in Finland to open, in early October. For the 26-27 season both opened on 2 October, with the wider Finnish ski season and most UK package holidays starting in December.
How long is the ski season at Levi and Ruka?
Both resorts plan to stay open from early October through to May, a season of more than seven months.
How do Finnish ski resorts have snow in October?
They use snow farming. Snow is stockpiled in spring, covered over summer with sawdust, white fabric and insulation, then spread back onto the slopes in autumn. Ruka keeps up to 80% of its roughly 150,000 m³ pile, and Levi stores nearly 300,000 m³.
What can you ski at Levi and Ruka in October?
Early-season skiing covers a few kilometres of downhill runs, some terrain park features and several kilometres of cross-country tracks. At Levi that means the Front Slopes, Levi Glacier, the park and moguls, while Ruka opens its Saarua area with three lifts.
Where are Levi and Ruka?
Both are in Finnish Lapland, up near the Arctic Circle, where autumn temperatures drop close to freezing early enough to hold stored snow on the slopes.