Polar Star Travel staff

Hello! We want to take you to experience Lapland's arctic nature. We are enthusiastic professionals, and we want your Lapland holiday to be memorable, exciting and safe. We listen and help when you need help or are looking for something special. See you in the village of Sirka in the armpit of Levitunturi!

Heidi Jokela

I'm from Helsinki, but I've lived around the world for more than 15 years. After returning to Finland, I wanted to move to Levi in Lapland.

I love arctic nature, which inspires me every day, all year round. I'm empowered by bright summer nights at the top of the fell, when the sun never sets. The blue moment of polar night enchants me as the January frost pinches my cheeks, while I'm snowshoeing in the middle of snow-covered pine trees. I enjoy the fresh, crisp autumn morning, when a gentle light drizzle covers the light autumnal colors of the treetops. Skiing during spring on white snow mounds relaxes my mind as time and stress fade away in the spring sun.
I'm an aurora borealis seeker who crams the kids into the car and drives off into the middle of nowhere, where the soul blazes competing with the northern lights. One just feels like dancing to the rhythm of that enormous energy. This is the world of my soul. Do you want to experience it too?

Juha Jokela

I am a genuine Laplander, born at the foot of Levi fell, in the village of Sirkka. My family has inhabited the banks of Ounasjoki for more than 500 years, so Lapland is very strongly part of my heritage.

I have walked Levi's realm in every season, so I know the local nature and its diversity. I enjoy making a campfire and drinking coffee in nature - coffee is at its best right in the middle of wonderful nature, sipped from a traditional kuksa mug.

I am a traveler of my own paths. True freedom is when you can forget the clock at home and spend the whole day heating up the smoke sauna and then relax unhurriedly in the sauna's gentle baths.

Irina

Lapland gave me wings. My heart sings as I stand on top of a fell and look around. Here you feel the power and importance of nature. Knowledge that continues from generation to generation. One tries to extract that wisdom for themselves, completely enchanted.

Lapland is homely, peaceful and safe. It's the warmth of the fire and good food, It's a long winter evening and continuation of a tradition, being kind and caring.

Lapland is full of magic. It's a glistening snowy tree, a dance of northern lights in the dark sky. It is the summer that brings nature to life and gives you its blessing: the midnight sun that makes you burst with energy.

Lapland is all of this. And even more. It's different for everyone, but here you'll find what you came looking for.

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Mervi

I find genuine joy in sharing Lapland’s nature with others. The Northern seasons inspire me endlessly — from the soft pastels of the polar night to the sparkle of spring snow, the fresh greens of early summer and the fiery colours of autumn. Being outdoors is simply a way of life for me, whether I’m skiing, trail running or exploring new routes on my mountain bike.

My family and I live in the village of Sirkka, having moved to Lapland eight years ago — a shift that brought us even closer to the landscapes and lifestyle we love. At Polar Star Travel, I lead our close-knit guide team with warmth and a big heart. I believe in creating meaningful encounters, fostering trust and giving space for everyone’s strengths to shine.

My happiest moments are those spent guiding people into the quiet beauty of the fells, sharing nature experiences and being part of guests’ unforgettable moments. Above all, I love meeting people, inspiring them to explore and helping them feel at home in Lapland’s ever-changing landscape.

Ari

I left my small home village in 1988 to become a guide to the world. I guided in several different destinations, in 16 different countries for about 13 years. During my years as a guide, I gained a lot of experience and knowledge about different countries, continents, languages, cultures, religions, history and of animals and plants. Guiding abroad was a shocking and mind-opening experience.

I arrived back to my home stead in 2001. I worked for about 19 years at Visit Levi, from where I have continued here to the office of Polar Star Travel. Sometimes, however, I can't resist the invitation of the microphone and I get to enjoy the joy of guiding, telling our guests about the wonders of my home region. Time stands still in Lapland - our guests get to experience this wonder with us.

Everyday hustle and bustle is forgotten in my home village of twenty residents. Nature with its wonderful lake views and silence are incredibly nice counterbalances to the hustle and bustle of work - even a world traveler's mind and soul rests.

Pekka

In my previous life, I lived in Oulu and worked in an electronics company. Life felt quite flat and I longed for a change.

I ended up trying the tourism industry. I started as a snow builder at Snowvillage and ran programs there as a Christmas guide. After that, I went back to school to study tourism, and I stayed on that path. Today, I work as a tour guide and study tourism at Lapland University of Applied Sciences.

What fascinates me about Lapland the most is the peace of nature and the opportunities for hobbies. I am also one of the lucky few for whom work doesn't feel like work.

Sara

My quick visit to the north years ago has turned into an adventure I never would have expected.

Before, the word "north" only brought to my mind coldness. I wanted to understand what it is and I came here - a moment I don't regret. I encountered pure, untouched nature, wonderful winter landscapes, aurora borealis and a dark pink sky, the endless days of summer and the breathtaking color palette of autumn, the likes of which I had not seen before.

Local culture and people vibrate at the same frequency as nature and complement each other as if they were one form of life.

I have combined work and hobby. I am happy to share it with those who do not yet know that the north is more than cold.

Aapo

I am a wanderer of nature, someone who has spent my whole life moving through Finnish forests, swamps, and fells – on foot, by bike, paddling, on skis, and with snowshoes. Nature is my soulscape, a place where ideas are born and the mind finds calm.

I am inspired by human-powered movement and by exploring the diverse Finnish nature in every season. In summer, that means long cycling trips, paddling journeys, and hikes; in winter, skiing on spring snow and snowshoeing in the quiet of Lapland, when the frost bites your cheeks and the snow creaks beneath your steps.

My lifestyle has shaped my passion for developing sustainable and responsible outdoor experiences. I want to create ways for others to discover the peace, strength, and connection that I myself find in nature.

I am inspired by nature’s silence, the changing seasons, and conveying an authentic atmosphere. When photographing, I aim to capture more than just the landscape – also the experience of how nature feels in movement and presence.

Nature keeps me grounded in the world I want to build and strengthen in my life.

Nature is my second home.

Andrew

Sari

Olen paljasjalkainen lappilainen ja olen asunut koko ikäni Lapissa. Olen syntynyt naapurikunnassa Muoniossa ja sukuni juuret ovat syvällä lappilaisessa sekä saamelaisessa sielunmaisemassa. Luonto ja luonnossa liikkuminen on ollut aina elämäntapa, luonnonantimet on kerätty talteen talven varalle. Nuorena viihdyin laskettelurinteissä ja auratuilla laduilla, tällä hetkellä koskematon luonto kutsuu minua enemmän. Luonto tuo täydellisen vastapainon toimistotyölle ja kiireiselle arjelle, jo lyhytkin hetki luonnossa tasoittaa sykettä. Sen vuoksi olen ilolla mukana jakamassa tätä tunnetta meidän vieraillemme osallistumalla myös retkille oppaan roolissa toimistotyön lomassa.

Tuija

I am originally from South Ostrobothnia. We spent many years traveling with a caravan, falling in love with Lapland – and eventually we bought a plot of land and built a summer cabin. For 15 years we spent our time here, until my husband had to retire on disability. We decided to sell our house and move permanently to our cabin in Lapland. Lapland’s nature, berry picking, fishing, moving through the wilderness with soot-pot coffee… it’s a wonderful and liberating feeling. The time we’ve spent here has made us Laplanders – and so far, we haven’t found ourselves missing the flat plains of Ostrobothnia.

Mauri

I come from Central Finland, where I still have my home. "Lapland's madness" brought us to Levi in 2009, because an apartment forwarding company was looking for a couple to work there. My wife and I decided to apply for a place and ended up here. We concluded that we'll try it for one season. Now several seasons have passed - we were well received here. The whole community seems to be pulling together and that's great. I feel that today we are more from Levi than from my hometown.

Staff