5 days / 4 nights from £775 pp

Spend an unforgettable New Year celebration in Kuusamo, one of the most popular ski resorts among Finns and international visitors alike. Many fun and exciting winter activities will make your visit to Kuusamo unforgettable, be it snowshoeing, ice-fishing, husky, reindeer or snowmobile safaris. For a plunge into a tropical oasis in the middle of this arctic winter wonderland, visit the Spa Hotel Club Kuusamo. Fells at Ruka ski centre are only 25 km from Kuusamo town centre and provide sheltered skiing every day. The illumination of the slopes creates a dreamlike atmosphere in the polar night.

Prices start from £ 775 pp based on availability and two people sharing a double / twin room.  Single supplement £ 220 p.p.

Package price includes: 

• Return flights London to Kuusamo via Helsinki on Finnair 
• Airport transfers in Kuusamo by ski bus 
• 4 nights accommodation in Sokos Hotel Kuusamo 
• Half-board 
• New Year’s festive dinner and programme at the hotel
• Taxes

See list of Optional Tours, such as snowmobile safaris and husky dog sled rides, below.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Arrival by air to Kuusamo airport. Transfer by bus directly to Sokos Hotel Kuusamo located right in the centre of Kuusamo town. Cross country skiing tracks and snow mobile routes starts right behind the hotel and SkiBus drives you to the slopes of Ruka.  Overnight in Sokos Hotel Kuusamo with half board basis.

The recently renovated Sokos Hotel Kuusamo has 179 rooms.  Guest saunas are included in the price, as is use of the indoor swimming-pool.   The hotel also features a restaurant, bar, and night club. Cross-country skiing tracks and snow mobile routes start right behind the hotel and the Ski Bus takes guests directly to and from the downhill slopes.

DAY 2  Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Free day to enjoy one of the ranges of optional activities (see below) or go downhill skiing. Evening or morning sauna and swim at the hotel.   Overnight in Sokos Hotel Kuusamo with half board basis.

DAY 3: New Year’s Eve  Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Evening and or morning sauna and swim at the hotel. Afternoon for free to explore Kuusamo town centre or ski in Ruka. Festive dinner and New Year celebration in the evening at the hotel.  Overnight in Sokos Hotel Kuusamo with half board basis.

DAY 4  Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Free day to enjoy one of the ranges of optional activities, or go downhill skiing. Evening or morning sauna and swim at the hotel.  Overnight in Sokos Hotel Kuusamo with half board basis.

DAY 5: Return by bus from the hotel to Kuusamo airport for your flight to Helsinki and back home.

Optional Activities:

TASTE OF WILDERNESS - Snowmobiling in the snowy landscape.
Mon – Sun, 10 - 12 a.m. and 2 - 4 p.m. 
Duration: 2 hours (15-20 km)
Price: €74 p.p. for 2 persons/snowmobile  

Get a taste of driving through the snow-covered forests and fells on varying terrain.  There are different routes, depending on your skills. This is great fun, even if you’ve
been snowmobiling before.

UNDER THE STARS - Night safari by snowmobile
Mon, Tue, Thu and Sat 6 - 10 p.m.
Duration:4 hours (30-40 km) Price: €110 pp 
As the night sets in, begin your Arctic journey under the rising moon as the stars slowly appear. You ride through dark, snow-covered areas pierced only with the light of your snowmobile. If you’re lucky, the Northern Lights will blaze in the sky. A snack and cup of hot coffee brewed over the open fire.

IN THE HEART OF NATURE - Snowmobile safari into the wilderness
Tue and Thu, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Duration: 5 - 6 hours (80-110 km)
Price: €165 pp 2 persons / snowmobile 

Enjoy the outdoors and take this safari through the heart of nature. Your trail traverses rugged fells and narrow valleys to your first stop where your guide will cook a typical Lappish lunch over the campfire. After a refreshing cup of strong hot coffee, you are ready to continue. You ride on through the forest – you may come across a herd of reindeer searching for their favourite food, moss and lichen, under as much as one metre of snow. Keep your eyes out for other forest animals searching for food! The weather in the North can change quickly – ranging from cold and blizzard to warm sun and crisp clean snow – so the snowmobile trails may vary.

LEGEND OF FOUR WINDS - Snowmobile safari to the Reindeer corral
Wed and Fri, 9 - 12 a.m. and 2 - 5 p.m.
Duration: 3 hours (20-30 km) Price: €98 pp. 

Your trail takes you over frozen waters and snow-covered forests to visit a reindeer corral. Sit with the herdsman around an open fire; learn about the oldest form of livelihood in the North, the daily routine of a reindeer herdsman, and hear the Story of the Four Wind Hat. Ride in a reindeer sleigh and receive your own reindeer driving licence, then carry on down the trail back to town.

FISHING EXPERIENCE - Local fishing traditions Wed and Fri, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Price: €71 pp (Min. 4 persons). 

Transfer by car to a fishing venue where the host and hostess welcome you. Join them to pull in the nets from the frozen lake and try your hand at traditional ice fishing. Hear stories about local fishing traditions, history and development. After fishing, have a cup of hot coffee with tasty homemade bread and smoked whitefish. If you get a catch, you can fry it over the fire in the Lappish Hut.

ARCTIC SPEED - Snowmobile safari to the Husky Camp
Tue and Thu, 9.30 - 12.30 a.m. and 2 - 5 p.m. Duration: 3-4 hours (30-40 km)
Price: €125 pp 2 persons/snowmobile

Drive along the trail through the snow-covered landscape. Visit a Husky Camp and learn about these friendly Arctic dogs, their daily life and training. Have a ride on a sleigh pulled by a husky team and enjoy a cup of hot berry juice around the campfire.

WHITE SILENCE ON SNOWSHOES - Snowshoe walking trip
Mon, Wed, Sat, 1 - 3 p.m.
Duration: 2 hours Price: €49 pp. 

Challenge yourself to experience the snowshoe adventure in beautiful snowy countryside. On this guided snowshoe trip you will feel the silence and beauty of the snowy forests.

FRESH AIR ON SKIS - Cross-country skiing school
Mon, Wed and Fri 9 - 11 a.m.
Duration: 2 hours (skiing distance 2-5 km)
Price: €49 pp.

Your skiing guide leads you to the slopes after each participant has received the necessary equipment; skis, sticks, shoes and outdoor clothing. Your skiing instructor tells you about cross-country skiing and provides instruction in skiing techniques. In the beginning you learn basic skills like how to slide and stop, how to use the sticks, how to fall safely, and so on. During the trip you train your skills and learn how to ski up and down hills. Participants can use the skis free of charge for the remainder of the day.

RIDE OF YOUR LIFE - Memorable reindeer sleigh ride
Wed and Sat, 1 - 3 p.m.
Duration: 2 hours
Price: €89 pp. (Min. 4 persons)

Transportation by car to reindeer corral, where the reindeer herder tells us about reindeer and their habits. Everyone can enjoy a 5 km sleigh ride and will receive a reindeer driver’s licence. After a successful ride, we have a cup of coffee and locally baked cookies in a Lappish hut.

HUSKY SAFARI - Wintertime safari with husky teams
Tue, Thu, Sat, 1 - 3.30 p.m.
Duration: 2.5 hours (2 persons/husky sled)
Price: €136 pp.

After a drive by car from the hotel, arrival at the Husky Camp, where the barking of the enthusiastic dogs welcomes you to the safari. You will be given tuition on how to control the sled that you ride in pairs (musher and passenger) before departing on the journey. When returning to the Husky Camp, you will savour hot berry juice by an open fire and chat with the head musher about these northern animals.

Note: Participants are equipped with warm winter clothing for the duration of the trips. Drivers must be at least 15 years of age and hold a valid driving licence. Persons under the age of 15 may ride a snowmobile as a passenger. The snowmobiles are insured, but drivers are liable for the first 750 EUR in the event of accident