Starry Sky Stories – Snowshoe into the Arctic Night

Finland

Starry Sky Stories – Snowshoe into the Arctic Night, photo 3

Starry Sky Stories – Snowshoe into the Arctic Night, photo 4

Starry Sky Stories – Snowshoe into the Arctic Night, photo 5

Leave the lights of Ruka behind and explore the Arctic night on snowshoes. Experience natural darkness, listen to stories of the northern sky and enjoy hot wild berry juice under the stars.

Cancellation policy

Review the supplier policy below before booking.

Duration 2 hours

Duration supplied by the experience provider.

Language

English

Group size

1–8 travelers

Full description

Leave the lights of Ruka behind and discover what the winter forest feels like after dark.

Starry Sky Stories is a relaxed evening snowshoe adventure at Konttainen, where darkness, stars, silence and stories come together.

We begin with headlamps showing us the way through the snow-covered forest.

Then we switch them off.

Away from artificial light, we give our eyes time to adjust to the natural darkness. At first, you may see very little. Gradually, shapes begin to return. The snow reflects faint light from the sky and the forest around us becomes visible in a different way.

On a clear night, stars appear above the trees.

Your guide helps you find some of the familiar features of the northern sky and shares stories about stars, constellations and how people have used the night sky to find their way.

You do not need any previous knowledge of astronomy. This is not an astronomy lecture, but a chance to look up, listen and experience the Arctic night at an unhurried pace.

During the adventure, we stop for hot wild berry juice and take time to enjoy the quiet surroundings.

The Northern Lights may also appear.

They are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed. If they appear during our adventure, we will stop to enjoy the show in the Arctic sky – there is no need to hurry.

This is not a Northern Lights hunt. The winter forest, natural darkness, stars and stories are the heart of the experience.

Tour Highlights:

Learn about constellations, zodiac signs, and star stories from around the world and especially north.
Walk up to 2 km in snowy landscapes (depending on snow conditions it is possible to walk on the trail with your own winter shoes).
Enjoy traditional hot wildberry juice under the night sky.

Details:

Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 2 km, or more if you feel like zigzagging through the deep snow!
Group Size: Minimum 2 persons.

Looking for a private experience or a tour from your own cabin? We can bring this unforgettable stargazing adventure to your preferred location.

Need help planning your outdoor adventures?

If you have questions about this experience or would like advice on other guided nature adventures in Ruka-Kuusamo and Finnish Lapland, we are happy to help you find the right experience.

Contact us: +358 50 5606 633 | [email protected]

This experience is created by MyTrail (MunPolku in Finnish). We offer small-group guided nature adventures in Ruka-Kuusamo and Lapland throughout the year.

Discover more trails and experiences at mytrailfinland.com

Night tour with snowshoes

We meet in the Ruka area and travel to Konttainen, away from the brighter lights of the village.

After a short introduction, we put on our snowshoes and headlamps and step into the winter forest.

The snowshoe route is approximately 2 kilometres and takes us through natural winter terrain. We walk at a relaxed pace, with time to stop, listen and look at the night sky.

Once we are away from artificial light, we find a suitable place to stop and switch off our headlamps.

For a moment, we simply let our eyes adjust to the natural darkness.

Little by little, the winter night begins to reveal itself. Snow reflects faint light from the sky, the shapes of the forest become visible and, on a clear night, more and more stars appear above us.

Along the way, your guide shares stories about the northern night sky. We look for familiar stars and constellations, learn how the stars have helped people find their way and hear stories connected to the northern sky.

We take a break with hot wild berry juice and spend some time simply enjoying the quiet winter night before continuing on snowshoes.

If the Northern Lights appear during our adventure, we stop to enjoy them before returning.

The exact route and pace depend on the snow, weather and group.

What’s included

Included

Guide
Professional local nature guide
Snowshoes and poles
Headlamp
Hot wild berry juice
Reindeer hide to sit on during our break
Stories about the northern night sky, stars and constellations
Small-group experience
Pick-up from Ruka area

Not included

Winter clothing and boots are not included. If you do not have suitable clothing for Arctic winter conditions, winter clothing can be rented separately.

Important information

Meeting point

Finland

Don’t forget

Previous snowshoeing experience is not required. Your guide will show you how to use the equipment before we start. The snowshoe route is approximately 2 kilometres and takes place in natural winter terrain. Soft or deep snow can make snowshoeing more demanding than normal walking. The experience takes place after dark. Participants should be comfortable walking in a winter forest with a headlamp and spending approximately two hours outdoors. A clear sky, visible stars or Northern Lights cannot be guaranteed. Clouds, snowfall and changing weather are natural parts of winter in Ruka-Kuusamo. Even when the stars are hidden, we can still experience the darkness, silence and atmosphere of the winter forest. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed. This experience is not a Northern Lights hunt. If the Northern Lights appear during our adventure, we will take time to enjoy them, so the experience may last a little longer. The guide assesses the conditions throughout the evening and adapts the route when necessary. Warm winter clothing is essential. We recommend: Warm layers Insulated winter boots Warm gloves or mittens Winter hat Camera or phone if you would like to photograph the night sky Snowshoes, poles and a headlamp are provided. There are stops during the experience, so it is important to dress warmly enough for both walking and standing still outdoors.

Cancellation policy

10% charge if cancelled within 336 hours of start. 50% charge if cancelled within 168 hours of start. 100% charge if cancelled within 72 hours of start.