Puijo ski jump tower demolished in Kuopio due to structural damage

The iconic K90 ski jump tower at Puijo in Kuopio is being dismantled this week after severe structural damage made it unsafe for use, public broadcaster Yle reports.

Inspections in 2024 revealed cracks, splits, and rot in the tower’s glulam columns and beams, as well as corrosion in its steel framework. The jump has remained closed since the damage was confirmed. Weather conditions may affect the pace of demolition, according to Olli-Pekka Itälä, head of Kuopio’s sports and leisure services.

The city plans to restore the landscape and replace the jump with a viewing platform. Rebuilding a new K90 hill at Puijo would cost nearly €7 million, with Kuopio seeking 80% state funding. Mayor Soile Lahti has formally proposed the project to Sports Minister Mika Poutala (Christian Democrats), arguing for its national significance in athlete development.

Local athletes, including Olympic medalist Ilkka Herola and junior world championship medalist Minja Korhonen, have stressed the hill’s importance as a training site. Korhonen noted that without it, junior skiers must transition directly from smaller K60 jumps to the large K120 hill—a “huge leap”—or travel to Lahti or Rovaniemi for K90 training.

Ski jumping at Puijo dates back to 1929. Three smaller jumps will remain on the site after the demolition.