Just back from Ruka Log Cabins

Just back from wonderful week in Ruka (23rd Dec) staying at log cabins.

The location is beautiful - really quiet in the forest close to frozen lake - and ours was fantastically equipped (dishwasher, DVD player, CD system, washing machine) but they are all unique and you can%26#39;t be sure what yours will be like. NOT a short walk to supermarket - ours was as far away as it could be, and it was a forty minute round trip if walking briskly - some cabins were only 5 - 10 mins away. But wasn%26#39;t a problem at all - lovely trip.

Main tip - understand the ski bus timetable, and find way to memorize your stop. It%26#39;s dark a lot, stops aren%26#39;t named or numbered and it%26#39;s very easy to get lost. VERY easy. The bus is only once an hour, so this can get complicated - if you want to get off bus early to stop at shops you either walk back or wait another 45 mins for next bus.

There seemed plenty of snow to us - but it was very mild - apparently it was colder in uk than we had in lapland last week. Didn%26#39;t need all the silk gloves / socks / fleece trousers at all. Only problem was snowmobiling as those tracks were very compacted, and quite icy / bumpy. Even so, we had fantastic trip skidooing to husky farm.

We did the 5 day learn to ski package, and for a beginner the skiing was amazing. Beautiful, quiet, no ski lift queues, very calm and spacious. Me, my partner and kids (aged 6) all loved it. From log cabins you have to travel on ski bus first to Ruka, then on to Vuoselli (other side of hill to Ruka) if at ski school - so it%26#39;s a 35 min trip there. Buses only once an hour, so our only problem was fitting our plans around bus times.

We went out toboganning every evening in the moonlight - no northern lights sadly - locals told us it just wasn%26#39;t cold enough. Great holiday, loved it. Didn%26#39;t love all the delays home today (fog at Gatwick) and have to go to bed. Happy to answer any qustions if I can.

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Thank you for your information we are going to the Ruka log cabins on the 30 December the children can%26#39;t wait!! How were the transfers from the airport? We have been told that eating out is very expensive,did you find that?

Lisa

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Thank you Kizzy for such an in depth review.

I%26#39;m off here on the 30th too! I can hardly wait!

Lucy x

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To be honest we didn%26#39;t eat out much - I%26#39;m veggie and my kids are horribly fussy which is why we did self catering, so apart from cooking in cabin we mainly did sandwiches / coffee etc at cafes in Ruka / Vuoselli, and that seemed pretty reasonable to me. You may also hear alcohol is expensive - and perhaps wine in restaurants is, but the alko shop is cheaper than UK prices (bog standard wine like Hardys reserve shiraz was 5 euros). Not a beer drinker myself, but apparently that%26#39;s not pricey either.

The transfer to cabins is very easy - a 25 min coach journey and you%26#39;re dropped outside your door. Don%26#39;t bother getting really dressed up in ski gear for flight as you simply won%26#39;t need it. You are outside for about 5 mins between landing and being dropped at front door. As I mentioned before the main problem is you do feel a bit like you are dropped off in the middle of nowhere, and the skibus isn%26#39;t easy bearing in mind the perpetual darkness!

I%26#39;ll try and upload a couple of our photos tomorrow to give you a better idea what to expect.

Have a fab time - you really will!

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