Ruka Ski Resort in Finland is Now Accepting Applications For a New CEO

Ruka Ski Resort in Northern Finland has just announced a once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity on their Facebook Page: CEO of the Resort. For the first time in the resort’s history, the upper management team of The Rukakeskus Group (part of the Aho Group, owned by the Aho siblings) is opening up the CEO position to candidates who are outside of the Aho Family, who own the resort. The search is being initiated in lieu of a title change for the current CEO Ville Aho, who will be taking over as chairman of the board after this upcoming ’22/23 winter season.

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The Rukakeskus group’s resorts have developed in accordance with a group strategy created by an external professional board, resulting in a strong financial position to continue their development as leaders in the industry. As both of the group’s ski centers are in fantastic condition and on a good growth path guided by clear goals, the position is now open for applicants. The current chair of the board of Rukakeskus, Juha Lappalainen said in a release, “Now is an excellent moment for this big step in terms of the family business.”

The Rukakeskus Corporation is a growing Finnish family business with over 50 years of history under the helm of the Aho family. It has been in charge of slope operations for two resorts, Ruka since 1973 and Pyhä since 1987. Combined, the two are the market leaders in the Finnish ski resort industry, with almost a 20% share of ski pass sales. When it comes to the count of downhill skiers and boarders, Ruka is the most popular ski resort in Finland and has held this title in during the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 seasons.

Current CEO Ville Aho expressed his excitement to bring on a new team member in a press release saying:

“My own working career started at the beginning of the 90s in the corner of the counter at Ski Bistro and continues after 10 years as managing director at the head of the board. The accountant cannot find a job more inspiring than the CEO of Ruka and Pyhä. That is why I am sure that we will find an excellent successor to the work of my siblings and my father.”

Do you think you’ve got what it takes to be the Chief Operating Officer of a world-class ski resort? Visit the application page to throw your name in the hat!