Off-Piste!

We spent three (non-consecutive) days skiing in Ruka.  Unlike U.S. ski resorts, Finnish ski resorts seem perfectly fine with skiers going off-piste, through the trees, over unmarked hills or rocky cliffs... all at the skier's own risk.  The slopes were not that well labeled (which was very frustrating if you didn't want to head down a sheer cliff) and there were barely any warning signs, anywhere.  And we didn't have to sign the lengthy liability waiver that you would expect to see at any U.S. resort.

We saw many cute little toddlers and children zipping down the slopes -- the Finns definitely start skiing and snow-boarding very young. 

 

Most of our skiing was done in darkness, but the brightness of the snow made the slopes a magical experience.

It was so cold my blackberry froze!

 

There were also warming huts at various points across the resort.   Here, the Finns warm up but also grill sausages.  Best idea ever.  Upon seeing that on our first day, of course we had to try too.  As we chomped on our "beer-infused" sausages on our last evening skiing, we saw one family pull out retractable sticks, paper plates, mustard, ketchup and hot dog buns.  Well played.

On the first day, in good cheer, before the bruises...