We stayed for one night at RukaTontuu as we were passing through during the off-peak season (May) so it was very quiet, I think we were the only guests. Although some staff were still being trained in preparation for the summer they were all very friendly and helpful. We ate at the hotel restaurant, and the food was delicious. The room was spacious with a beautiful view out onto the lake. The beds were comfy except for the pillows (definitely needs some new ones) and there were tea/coffee making facilities. We also had a shower and spa bath which was a novelty and we enjoyed. The only difficulty was the plumbing, which in fairness we were warned about, but was nontheless a bit of a pain - if the bath is allowed to drain too fast it floods the bathroom. Overall we enjoyed our stay, slept well and it was comfy. There were a few minor issues which, if remedied, would have made the stay near to perfect. It looked as though they were doing renovations in preparation for the summer.

We went during off season to ruka at the last week of April. Even though we did not expect much activities happening in ruka least we expected was a good hotel to stay. But as soon as we reached the hotel with our two very small children being very hungry, we were told restaurant is closed due to some issue with their employee who had drenched the kitchen with water. We had to walk up the hill to go to the village to have our breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bad experience. If the hotel had some issues they should have called and informed us beforehand instead of surprising us in the last minute. We din have a car. The second day wen we went to check on room service, the reception was closed. We had to call the receptionist from our cell to check on room service. Finally on frustration we had asked him to return our money and we checked out. Thank god, we got a room in another hotel. We as a family with 2 small children plan for a vacation inorder to take rest and have fun. Not to slog. Even though the hotel had the good will to return the money, still our complain is he could have either arranged for food or at the least could have called and informed us about the situation.

We went to Finland for New Year 2015 with Crystal Ski and to be honest didn't know what to expect. After a short 25min transfer from the Airport we were at the apartment with our key code for the electronic lock. First impressions were a spotlessly clean apartment, well equipped and very warm with the under floor heating. We had a 6 birth room for 4 of us (2 twin bedrooms plus sofa bed) so ideal for us with 2 teenage boys. Plenty of room, free wifi, kitchen with all appliances including dishwasher (bring your own tablets unless you know how to use powder and rinse solution) comfy beds (you do have to make them up on arrival) and an amazing sauna.
Clearly, we were skiing and with the nearest lift literally across the road (30mtr) with the ability ski back into the apartment you couldn't ask for better. The Tonttu apartments are just outside the village centre and to walk only takes 10 mins max, not worth waiting for the free ski bus, via a tunnel under the ski slopes and escalator.

We were on a half board basis eating in the Tonttu restaurant for breakfast and dinner. Breakfast was buffet style with choices of porridge, toast, hot and cold meat, cereal, tea and coffee etc etc. plenty of choice. Dinner was a bit strange as there was a fixed started which was sometimes hot and sometimes a bit of salad - do have the beetroot soup if offered - amazing! Main course was a single choice of fish or meat (plenty of reindeer - sorry Rudolph !) well cooked and very tasty although portions are quite small for English standards. Sweets were a single choice of the day but the homemade ice-cream was wonderful. The dining room surroundings were amazing with a big fireplace in the centre as a feature with wood panels and nice and warm. Note that the restaurant is not park of the accommodation (strangely) so any accommodation issues (we had none) need to be reported in the village and all is explained in the apartment welcome book.

The skiing is limited for more advanced skiers and irritatingly the few black runs are closed most of the day for training! However, you couldn't ask for a better place for learning, which is why we were there as our 2 boys have just defected to the dark side and become boarders! The tuition is wonderful and in Finland they clearly attract teachers from all over Europe so it is highly likely you will get an English instructor (unlike the ESF mafia in France!) The facilities are not up to the Alps standard but the whole place is a scaled down event. The slopes are very wide and not busy and with 3 hours of daylight skiing under floodlights makes the whole place magical. Do wear plenty of layers as it got to -25C on one day and you will need to wear some kind of face protection (we used cycle balaclavas from Aldi - £1.99 extremely well spent!). There are wooden huts with open fires dotted around the piste so if you have a pack of sausages in your bag the that makes for a tasty hot snack - they even provide the toasting forks! Food and drink is typically expensive everywhere and so is alcohol so fill your bags with wine at the airport. There is a small supermarket in the village centre where we bought soup, bread, pasta and pizza for lunches - being able to ski back was great and with a hot boot and clothes warmer in each apartment then all your stuff is toasty warm for when you go back out.

As to Crystal Ski other than the welcome meeting (which a delay at the airport meant we missed) and them dropping off a card for departure time the day before we left - we never saw them. We did make a comment on our feedback forms that a visit to check everything was OK with its clients wouldn't do a miss, although I understand that they did visit some log cabins that were further away. Luckily everything was good so we didn't really need them.

Also, buy your ski passes and ski school on arrival (you have plenty of time) in the hire shop as they are cheaper than Crystal and you don't pay their ridiculous exchange rate either. If you tell the ski school you are with Crystal they will even put you in the same classes so you are with fellow Brits. The service is excellent and the equipment well maintained.

Overall a great place to stay, great apartment on the slopes (almost) which are ideal if you are a beginner and a lovely restaurant to eat and relax in the evening.