Ruka in Finland is set to play host to the opening Nordic Combined World Cup of the season and the campaign's second Ski Jumping World Cup ©Facebook

Ruka in Finland is set to play host to the opening Nordic Combined World Cup of the season and the campaign's second Ski Jumping World Cup after the traditional venue was given the green light following concerns over a lack of snow.

The event in Ruka has been a mainstay on the Nordic Combined World Cup circuit having staged a competition every year since 2002.

Warm temperatures and less snowfall than expected has prompted the Organising Committee of the two events to use artificial snow.

The venue passed the snow control despite the fears, allowing for the events in the two disciplines to go ahead as planned.

"I have never seen this view in Ruka at this time of the year," said Organising Committee chief Pekka Haverinen.

World and Olympic champion Johannes Rydzek is among the participants at the Nordic Combined World Cup ©Getty Images
World and Olympic champion Johannes Rydzek is among the participants at the Nordic Combined World Cup ©Getty Images

"The only snow present is on the cross-country track and in the jumping hill. 

"The inrun of the hill is in a good shape and will work well during the weekend. 

"The landing hill and outrun are mostly covered in snow, with some parts still missing due to the warm and rainy weather."

A host of the top Nordic combined athletes are scheduled to compete at the event in Ruka, which begins with qualification tomorrow.

World and Olympic Champion Johannes Rydzek of Germany, Espen Andersen of Norway and Japan's overall World Cup winner Akito Watabe are among those hoping to make the perfect start to the World Cup season.

Two individual ski jumping competitions are also on the agenda in the Finnish resort, beginning on Saturday (November 24) and concluding the following day.