A city in a village: New winds are blowing on the slopes of Uuperi – The courage of a mechanical contractor saved a local winter gem
The Hamina City in the Village visit series headed to Uuperi this time. When the traditional ski resort was in danger of disappearing from the map, a man who is used to moving earth and snow came to the rescue – but this time the goal was to bring the entire ski resort to new heights.
Founded in 1989, Uuperi has seen many phases over the decades. However, in the fall of 2024, the situation seemed critical: no new entrepreneur seemed to be found, and the equipment was already on its way to an online auction. Then a machinery contractor arrived, who had come to see the slope machine being auctioned, but ended up buying the whole place.
From the core of machine contracting to slope manager
The story of the new entrepreneur from Uuper is a textbook example of Finnish grit and entrepreneurial spirit. After the army, his career began as a digger in a peat bog, and soon he had his own company. Over the years, his activities expanded to include earthworks, restoration work for the Finnish Forestry Agency, and dredging.
I read in the newspaper that no interested buyer had been found in Uuperi. I went there to look at the machine, but the real estate agent asked if I was interested in the whole thing.
Entrepreneur Arttu Hongisto recalls the twists and turns of autumn 2024.Although there were plenty of skeptics, a solid foundation in mechanical contracting and a love of skiing gave me the courage to jump into a new field. Land deals and bureaucracy took their time, but a passionate attitude made the difference.
Winter magic and technical prowess
Running a ski resort is a huge puzzle where the forces of nature and technology meet. At Uuperi, people rely on their own expertise: five snow cannons and slope preparation require a keen eye and, ideally, an optimum temperature of -15 degrees Celsius. Water is obtained from the nearby lake in Metsäkylä.
Ski lifts and ski lifts require constant maintenance, and a background in mechanical contracting is an invaluable advantage here. When starting out did not require investments starting with the machines, it was easier to get started. Other local entrepreneurs have also been employed, for example, in electrical work, and it has been remembered that you don't have to do everything yourself. Good networks with other entrepreneurs help a lot moving forward.
Young energy and a warm welcome
One of the greatest successes of the season has been the staff. Uuperi has employed a large number of local young people, bringing the average age of the company's employees to around 22. For some, this is their first job in life.
The reception in Hamina has been heartwarming. 500 people visited the first night hill, and during the entire season, a whopping 7,000 visits were recorded. Around 30% of visitors use the equipment rental service, which shows that the sport has also found many new enthusiasts or casual outdoor enthusiasts.
The feedback we have received from the people of Hamina and the villagers has been really warm. Our young staff has been liked a lot, and that warms the heart of the entrepreneur.
A look into the future
Even though the ski season is drawing to a close, work in Uuperi is not over. The goal is to complete the last slopes of the season this coming weekend. Then, in the summer, lifts will be maintained and buildings will be repaired. Future plans include possible summer activities, but the entrepreneur is proceeding with caution – investments must be sensible. The visit also discussed what kind of support could be received from Cursor, for example, when considering investments.
The City in the Village visit showed that when you combine solid engineering expertise, courage, and local cooperation, you can create something that the entire region can be proud of.