Ruka opens climbing park on fell top as ski resorts compete for summer visitors

Ruka ski resort has opened a new climbing park on the top of its fell, as Finland’s ski centres increasingly invest in summer activities to attract off-season visitors, reports Yle.

The park, which opened in mid-June, features five high-altitude adventure courses with rope bridges, balance elements, zip lines, obstacles, and climbing challenges. It is located in a forested area at the fell’s summit.

Ruka has invested nearly €3 million in summer operations over the past two years, according to local director Matti Parviainen. The resort now markets its summer offerings as a “national amusement park,” including a mountain coaster, downhill biking and karting tracks, a zip line from the fell top to Saaruanlaakso valley, a frisbee course, and the new climbing park.

Nearly half of Finland’s 70-plus ski resorts have significantly expanded summer activities in recent years, says Harri Lindfors, executive director of the Finnish Ski Resort Association. While Ruka leads in development, smaller resorts like Sappee in Pirkanmaa and Laajavuori in Jyväskylä have also added adventure parks, bike parks, frisbee golf, and summer theatres.

Silja Lavonen, Ruka’s park manager, notes the climbing park’s high-altitude location is rare globally, as such facilities typically run through low-lying forests. The park has been nearly fully booked since opening.