Working with us

The Ski Patrol keeps every day on the mountain safe – and it’s powered entirely by volunteers

Tahko Mountain’s volunteer-run Ski Patrol keeps the slopes safe. We’re the all-round helpers of the mountain: guiding visitors, assisting with first aid, retrieving lost items from the lifts, and making sure people move safely through the mountain.

Our day starts at the base station. If we’re expecting a busy day, we manage the lift queues with fences to keep things moving safely and efficiently. We check in with staff about any special needs or weather-related challenges. Most of the time we’re on skis from morning to afternoon, but we also use a snowmobile when it’s needed. We monitor the slopes continuously — if rocks or bare patches start to appear, we mark them for maintenance. And if someone is speeding, cutting dangerously, or jumping in from the forest, we step in.

From summer 2022, you might even have spotted us on two wheels. That’s when we launched Bike Patrol, taking care of the downhill biking trails, monitoring safety, and providing first aid. The Bike Patrol team is gradually growing, and this year two new volunteers will join the training. It’s rewarding work to do alongside our regular jobs — I’m a paramedic with the North Savo Rescue Department, and I spend around 50 days a year on the mountain.

Ski Patrol officially began in Finland in 2012. I’ve been leading the Tahko Mountain team for five years now. What I love most here are the slope profiles and the exceptionally well-maintained runs — and of course the solid team spirit that keeps everything running smoothly.

The dynamic duo of ticket sales keep customers guessing — and sometimes even their colleagues

After years in Helsinki, the twins have found their way back home to Nilsiä — and into roles that often leave visitors doing a double take.

Tuuli: Tiia was here first. At the beginning, the team was pretty confused when suddenly there were two of us in the office. It’s still hard to tell us apart — especially on days when our work outfits end up looking exactly the same.

Tiia: After finishing my business studies, I worked in different customer service jobs in Nilsiä. Our office manager had my details and reached out to ask if I’d be interested in a job in ticket sales. I didn’t hesitate for a second. Now I’m in my fifth season working in ticket sales and at the ski school office.

Tuuli: This was my first winter at Tahko Mountain, though I’ve worked one season in local restaurants. After COVID, I stepped away from hospitality and wasn’t sure whether to go back to school or try something new. Tiia tipped me off about the open position in ticket sales, so I applied.

Alongside selling tickets, both of them handle phone and email enquiries and help guide visitors. Tiia also manages bookings at the ski school office. In summer, the ski school team runs the Bike Park — but with different staff, as the twins head off to work at Tahko Golf.

Tuuli: It’s pretty funny when you think about it — we’ve been in the same schools, the same classes, and now, at 27, we’re sharing the same workplace. The best part is that you can work at Tahko year-round. After leaving restaurant work, it’s been great to try something completely different.

Tiia: As a young person, it’s been amazing to watch Tahko grow. There’s plenty of work and a strong sense of community — all the companies and staff support each other. And because so many people work in multiple places, you get to know everyone. We have an incredible team at Tahko Mountain, even though we all do totally different jobs — from machine operators to lift staff to ticket sales.

Growing up next to the ski resort, the twins reveal one more thing: their job has sparked a new shared passion.

Tiia: As a kid, I never saw living near the slopes as a big deal. But through work, skiing has become a hobby I really enjoy.

Tuuli: When Tiia started at Tahko Mountain, I joined her on the slopes a couple of times each season. Now that I work here too, skiing has become a regular part of my days off.

Marianne has spent 17 winters working (and climbing lift towers) at Tahko — and counting.

I first came to work at Tahko during my study leave in upper secondary school in the 2004–2005 season. So I’ve now spent 17 incredible winters here, and the last four years year-round. Growing up in Nilsiä, I’ve been skiing and snowboarding at Tahko for as long as I can remember. I always assumed it would be a great place to work, and it was close to home. I still snowboard in winter, but because I spend so much time here for work, I don’t get many personal slope days anymore.

In winter, I’m responsible for first aid and work as a lift supervisor. In summer, the job becomes more physical — we’re constantly working on all kinds of maintenance tasks. I climb lift towers whenever needed. I used to do proper climbing at school, but here it’s all about maintenance and rescue work. I’ll head up a tower the moment it’s required, even in winter. For example, if something happens on the chairlift, I’m one of the trained rope-rescue staff. We carry out evacuations using ropes and the lift cable.

Tahko feels like a second home to me — I spend so much time here. People often think our work ends when the lifts close for the season, but that’s far from true. In winter we focus on essential maintenance, first aid, and safety. In summer we repair, service, and prepare everything for the next winter.

The snow man has been found — and it’s Jari, who has lived in the area his whole life.

I’ve done just about everything here. Snowmaking, lift maintenance, lift operations — you name it. I’ve been at Tahko for 39 years, since 1983. I’ve lived in Nilsiä all my life, and back then there weren’t many jobs around, so I applied to Tahko.

Snowmaking starts with getting the pipes and lines ready, then test-running everything. We set up the snow guns and keep a close eye on the weather forecast. And of course, everyone wants to know when snowmaking will begin. It starts the moment the temperature hits zero degrees. The machines have improved so much that we can start even a little earlier now — in the old days you needed proper frost. At about –3°C you could just about manage.

This place feels like a second home. When I started, there weren’t many lifts. Lift maintenance today is pretty much the same as it was back then. The oldest lift used to be the one on the race slope — no, actually the oldest is the one next to the slope-side restaurant on the right, from 1981.

The best part of the job is the people I work with. And the fact that it’s close — I live just down in the village, so I don’t need to travel for work. In the early days, we didn’t work summers at all. I spent summers down south doing roofing. Now the job is year-round.

Swept away by the mountain. Kata couldn’t resist Tahko’s pull — after a few years away, she found herself right back where it all began.

I work at Tahko as a snowboard instructor, and last winter I also completed the alpine instructor course. Most of my time, though, is spent on the office side — organising all the practical details like course scheduling. In winter I oversee the ski school, and in summer we run Bike Park sessions and other warm-season activities. I also help organise different courses and events held here throughout the year.

I originally started in the office, but I’ve been snowboarding since I was 10 and have completed the snowboard instructor training. I’m from Nilsiä, and my very first job at Tahko was on the lift team when I was 14. I spent a few years working elsewhere, but I’ve now been back as a full-time employee for three years. Even though I’m only 32, I’ve already clocked up 16 Tahko winters. I’ve worked in plenty of different roles since those lift-operator days — now I’ve come full circle to the office.

My very first work experience was here, and even after leaving, this is the place I returned to. I love the variety, the atmosphere, and the stunning scenery in every season. It’s been incredible to watch Tahko grow from a winter-focused resort into a year-round destination. And it’s great that living here all year is now a real option.

A jack-of-all-trades who does a bit of everything — and loves the variety

The best part of this job is how varied and dynamic it is. There’s always something happening, things are constantly progressing, and it’s great to see that development up close and be part of it.

My work changes with the seasons: in summer I focus on maintenance tasks, and in winter I operate the lift. When I’m running the lift, I try to give visitors the best possible experience.

On the slopes, it’s important to stay calm and follow the rules. If a slope is closed, you must not enter — it can be dangerous. Snowmaking might be underway, or there could be power cables on the ground.