What to Do in Lapland If You Don’t Ski (Yes, It’s Still 100% Worth It)
Not everyone wants a ski holiday. Here’s exactly what you can do in Lapland with kids if you don’t ski — including activities, winter experiences and how to plan a non-ski family trip to Ruka.
RUKAFINLANDEUROPESKIWHAT TO DO
1/22/20268 min read
What to Do in Lapland If You Don’t Ski (Ruka With Kids)
One of the questions I get asked a lot is: “Lapland looks amazing — but what if one of us doesn’t ski?”
It’s a very real situation for families. We often travel with grandparents, and in our case my mum doesn’t ski, so this was something we think about on most trips. You don’t want one person stuck indoors while everyone else is on the slopes.
This guide is for families travelling to Lapland where not everyone skis — whether that’s younger kids, grandparents, or anyone who just prefers to skip the slopes.
The good news is: Ruka works really well for this kind of trip.
Quick Answer: What are the best alternatives to skiing in Lapland?
Yes — Ruka is one of the easiest Lapland resorts for mixed groups.
Non‑skiers can:
stay in the village comfortably
enjoy cafés, walking routes, sledging and relaxed indoor spaces
spectate the ski slopes
Activities available in Ruka for non skiers include:
River floating (usually height 150cm+ and age 14+)
Ice karting (usually height 150cm+ and age 14+)
Northern lights walks
Because everything is compact and close together, it’s easy to split up during the day and meet back up later — which makes a big difference when travelling as a family.
Why Ruka Works So Well for Mixed Groups
Ruka isn’t laid out like a large, spread‑out ski resort. It’s:
compact
walkable
centred around one main village
packed with activities beyond skiing
Gondola to Gondola ride between Valley and Village
That means:
skiers can head out for a few hours
non‑skiers have plenty to do locally
and everyone can meet back up easily for lunch or afternoons
Our days often looked like this:
ski in the morning
back to the chalet for lunch
then something together in the afternoon
That balance is a big part of why Lapland works so well — it’s not just about skiing.
Planning Your Trip
We did this as part of a week‑long Christmas package through Crystal Ski, which made organising everything much simpler — especially when coordinating a mix of activities and ability levels.
Planning a trip to Ruka with kids? Start here: → Crystal Ski Ruka Review (Lapland): With Kids – Honest UK Family Guide
This guide includes links to the options and tools we used or considered along the way. Some may be affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only ever recommend approaches we found genuinely worked well for our family.
What the Non‑Skier Can Actually Do
If one person isn’t skiing — or just doesn’t want to ski every day — there’s still plenty to fill the days in Ruka without anyone feeling left out.
Here are the activities that worked particularly well for us:
Visit Santa (Perfect Non‑Ski Day Activity)
If you’re travelling with younger children, this will often be one of the main reasons for the trip.
It’s a half‑day experience, which makes it easy to plan around skiing — for example, some people ski in the morning, then everyone does this together in the afternoon.
Typically it includes:
sledging
a visit to the cottage
time with Santa and Mrs Claus
a small gift for each child
photos, hot drinks and snacks
If you want a realistic view of what this experience is actually like, see: What Actually Happens When You Visit Santa in Finland
Snowmobiling (Great Shared Activity)
Snowmobiling works particularly well because it fits easily around ski days.
You can:
book it during the day
or go in the evening without interrupting skiing
The experience itself is:
around 2 hours total
with about 30–40 minutes of riding
children ride as passengers
the pace is set by the slowest rider
with regular stops from the guide
It’s one of the more adventurous activities and often a highlight for families.
If you’re unsure about safety or how it works with children, read: Is Snowmobiling in Finland Safe for Families? Our Experience
Reindeer Sleigh Rides (Slower, Quieter Option)
Reindeer Sleigh Rides are a much calmer activity and works well for:
younger children
non‑skiers who want something more relaxed
shared family time without anything too physical
You sit in a covered sled, wrapped in blankets, and travel slowly through forest trails.
It’s less about adrenaline and more about the atmosphere and experience. For a faster paced animal encounter Husky Rides are a popular alternative.
For a full breakdown, see: Is a Reindeer Ride in Lapland Worth It? Our Honest Review
One thing that surprised us was how easy it was to fill the day without skiing. A lot of these activities can be booked independently but were also available as part of the trip, which meant we didn’t need to plan everything separately. → See what’s included in the trip we booked
Sledging, Walking and Snow Play Around the Village
One of the simplest (and best) things about Ruka is how easy it is to enjoy the snowy environment without booking anything.
Around the village:
sledges are often available to use
there are small slopes and hills everywhere
you can walk, explore or just play in the snow
A non‑skier can easily:
go for a walk
go sledging
explore the village
sit in a café
or just enjoy being outside without needing skis
There are also options like evening snow biking, which add something a bit different without being too intense.
The Ruka Coaster (Easy Win Activity)
This works well as:
a non‑ski day activity
or something to do when energy levels are lower
It’s a mountain coaster where:
you control the speed
it’s suitable for children
and it’s short but fun
It’s not a full-day activity, but a very easy addition to the trip.
Read: Ruka Coaster: The Most Unexpectedly Fun Thing We Did in Ruka
Indoor Options (For Rest or Bad Weather)
If someone needs a break from the cold, there are simple indoor options available:
bowling (around €30 per lane per hour)
pool tables (around €16 per hour)
cafés and restaurants
These are useful for:
rest days
bad weather
or when someone just doesn’t want to be outside all day
How a Typical Day Works (With Skiers and Non‑Skiers)
One of the biggest advantages of Ruka is how easy it is to balance different needs within the same group.
A typical day often looks like this:
Morning:
Skiers head out for a few hours
Non‑skiers can take it slower — sleep in, go for a walk, or explore the village
Lunch:
Meet back up in the village or at the chalet
Most restaurants are in the village, so it’s easy for everyone to reconnect
If you’re skiing in the valley, the gondola makes it straightforward for non‑skiers to join you
Afternoon:
Do something together — sledging, a reindeer ride, the Ruka Coaster, or simply a walk
It’s a very easy routine to manage, and never feels stressful or over‑coordinated. For an overview of how our days were structured see: Our Family Ski Day in Ruka: What to Expect (Lapland with Kids)
This is what made the biggest difference for us — knowing the trip included a mix of activities meant there was no pressure for everyone to ski all day.
Seeing what’s already included helps you understand how it works in practice, especially with kids. → View the package we used
Is Lapland Still Worth It If Not Everyone Skis?
Yes — especially in Ruka.
It’s one of the few winter destinations where:
non‑skiers don’t feel left out
there’s plenty to do without skiing
and the group doesn’t need to stay together all day
That balance makes it work really well for:
mixed‑ability families
families with younger children
groups where one adult simply doesn’t enjoy skiing
Final Thought - Is Ruka worth visiting if you don’t ski?
If someone in your group doesn’t ski, it doesn’t mean Lapland won’t work — in many ways, it still works brilliantly.
In fact, Ruka is so beginner‑friendly that it can even be a good place to try skiing for the first time. The slopes are gentle, the setup is straightforward, and the whole experience feels far less intimidating than many Alpine resorts.
If you’re curious about that side of the trip, this is a useful place to start:
Skiing in Ruka with Kids: Is It Beginner‑Friendly?
Lapland isn’t just a ski trip — and that’s exactly why it works so well for families. For us, having everything organised and included meant we could enjoy a mix of activities without needing to constantly plan or book things ourselves.
ready to start planning?
If you're planning a Lapland trip and want to see how everything fits together
FAQ's
What About the Cold for Non‑Skiers?
This is a common concern — and it’s a valid one.
Non‑skiers often feel the cold more because they’re not moving as much as skiers.
That said, we were much more comfortable than expected because:
the resort is relatively sheltered
activities are broken up with warm indoor spaces
and, most importantly, we packed properly
We found a heated gilet to be a complete game changer — keeping your core warm makes a huge difference to how comfortable the whole day feels.
If this is something you’re worried about, these will help:
Is Lapland Ruka Too Cold for Kids? (What it actually feels like)
What to Pack for Lapland in December (Family packing list that works)
Do You Have to Book Activities Through Crystal Ski?
No — you’re not limited to booking through your package provider.
In Ruka, you can:
book excursions through Crystal Ski
book locally once you arrive
or use platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide in advance
We used Crystal Ski for convenience, but the flexibility is there to mix and match depending on how you want to structure your trip.
Is there enough to do in Lapland for 7 days if you don’t ski?
Yes — especially in Ruka.
There’s enough to comfortably fill a week without skiing, including Santa experiences, reindeer rides, snowmobiling, sledging, winter walks, and simple things like exploring the village, indoor bowling, pool or relaxing in cafés. Most activities don’t take a full day, which is why it works well — you can combine them with slower, more flexible time rather than needing a packed itinerary every day.
For families or mixed groups, it actually creates a more balanced trip where you’re not just focused on the slopes.
Activities available in Ruka for non skiers include:
River floating (usually height 150cm+ and age 14+)
Ice karting (usually height 150cm+ and age 14+)
Northern lights walks
cross-country skiing
Is there enough to do in Ruka in a week with kids?
Yes — a week is the ideal length for Ruka with kids.
There’s a good mix of winter activities, and downtime, so the days never feel repetitive or rushed. The key is that Lapland isn’t about doing something every hour — it’s about combining a few standout experiences (like Santa, snowmobiling or reindeer rides) with relaxed time in between.
That balance is what makes a week in Ruka feel special rather than overwhelming, especially with younger children. For those wanting to try out Skiing, Ruka is a perfect choice for beginner level skiing, offering short entry level lessons that fit well around the various activities on offer.
For a full breakdown of what’s worth doing and how to plan it: Top 10 Things to Do in Ruka with Kids (December Guide)
About Plan Family Escapes
We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.
Everything we share is based on what we’ve personally experienced — with honest advice on what actually works when travelling with kids, focusing on making family travel easier, more comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.
