The ski resort, cross-country ski trails, and the magical landscapes sculpted by heavy snow constantly amaze even the most seasoned traveler. Major winter events and a wide range of services attract countless visitors eager to experience the joys of winter at the gateway to Lapland.
In addition to the popular winter season, tourism during the warmer months is steadily growing. Hundreds of kilometers of trails serve hikers, skiers, snowmobilers, and cyclists year-round.
– Summer tourism has always been around, long before the ski resorts, says Marko Säkkinen, CPO at Lomarengas. We can partly thank the pandemic for bringing northern destinations into the spotlight for summer tourism too. Outdoor activities and the enchanting nature of national parks are big draws, not least because of Finland’s light-filled summer nights.
– The culture of vacationing has shifted from the traditional lazy cottage life to active holidays where services are utilized. The pandemic made entrepreneurs realize the importance of services even during the snow-free months. Travelers won’t come if there are no services, Säkkinen sums up.
Marko Säkkinen has spent two decades with Lomarengas, so he’s well-acquainted with different accommodation preferences, cottage owners, and rental properties.
– Holiday home might be a better term to describe the offerings, but for Finns, a cottage is a cottage, whether it’s an off-grid wilderness cabin or a luxurious villa with all the bells and whistles. Plus, we all value different things. For one person, a modest cabin in the wilderness is their five-million-star cottage, while another might prioritize appliances, décor, or proximity to services.
We Finns are a cottage-loving people. Finland has over half a million cottages, about 7,500 of which are in Kuusamo, and more than 500 of those are available through Lomarengas.
But why don’t cottage owners rent out their holiday homes themselves instead of paying an agency?
– Lomarengas is Finland’s largest cottage rental agency, offering a vast selection of holiday homes. Booking through our website is easy, fast, and secure. For the cottage owner, it’s stress-free to leave everything to us. We take care of marketing, sales, billing, possible complaints, and everything from booking calendars to photography. The owner just has to wait for the income to roll in, Marko explains.
Nature is present in all Lomarengas locations, but in Kuusamo, the rugged landscapes range from dense forests to sparse woodlands, and from sharp fells to gently rounded hills. There’s water everywhere – ponds, rivers, lakes, and wild rapids. The clean waters offer activities from fishing to ice swimming, and from whitewater rafting to canoeing and floating. Mountain and electric biking, gravel riding (which has made its way from Central Europe), and downhill biking are all gaining popularity fast. The ski lifts, repurposed for summer use, offer a convenient way to ascend the fells.
And of course, you can’t talk about the area without mentioning the Karhunkierros Trail. Finland’s most popular hiking trail runs through Ruka-Kuusamo, and its little sister, the Pieni Karhunkierros, is even more popular than the big one.
– Not everyone wants to hike for days on end with a heavy pack, sleeping in a tent or wilderness huts. It’s pretty luxurious to walk long stretches in the woods, then retreat to clean sheets and a ready-made meal. You can sweat away the day’s grime in the sauna, and fall asleep without mosquitoes buzzing in your ear, Marko laughs.
Remote work and the trend of multi-location living have exploded in recent years. Many cottages now come equipped with fast internet, standing desks, and monitors. Even wilderness cabins can be outfitted for remote work. A coffee break with a view of the fells or a quick stretch in a national park surely clears your mind better than a pale office break room. Your wellbeing improves, and you can jump straight into your hobbies right from the backyard.
– It would be great to create a sort of "dual citizenship" for remote workers. That way, people working in Kuusamo could also contribute to the local economy through taxes, rather than just to their permanent place of residence. We could also ensure access to health services and other official matters for those working remotely. Something for decision-makers to consider, Säkkinen suggests.
Lomarengas offers cottages throughout Finland, from Åland to the fells of Lapland. Ruka-Kuusamo is the most year-round of all Lomarengas destinations. Why is that, Marko Säkkinen?
– There are lots of events here throughout the year. There’s a wide range of activities for every season. Kuusamo is also easy to reach by car from the south, and the services are really comprehensive. Not many small towns have stores like K-Citymarket and Prisma. And Kuusamo’s nature is unique, unlike anywhere else. It may sound like a cliché, but it’s true. The heavy snow, frozen waterfalls, chain of fells, the sandy shores of the Oulanka River, and the midnight sun. Kuusamo is simply special.
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Lomarengas
Text: Salla Karhumaa
Photos: Lomarengas
In collaboration with Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association and Lomarengas.