Tauno Lappalainen competed in the 1928 and 1932 Winter Olympics, both times with his brother Martti. Tauno did better at the Nordic Ski World Championships, winning two silver medals, in the 30 km and 50 km in 1926, and a bronze medal in the 17 km run in 1930. He also had five podium places at Finnish national championships but never won a title. In 1925 he was second in the 50 km at the Lahti Ski Games. After his active career, he was a well-known producer of skis and ski wax and wrote a cross-country guidebook. Between 1943-45 he served as chairman of the Finnish Sport Federation. In 1967, he and his brother were honored by their hometown Lipari by a statue made by sculptor Veikko Jalava.