Olen 54-vuotias ja edelleen yhtä innoissani kuin pikkupoikana jolloin pääsin isäni kanssa ensimmäisiä kertoja erämaahan tai kalaisan joen varrelle. Olen kulkenut lukemattomia kertoja erämaissa, niin erikokokoisilla porukoilla kuin yksinkin. Ensimmäiset vaellukset tein 5-6 vuotiaana ja siitä alkaen Lappi ja erämaat ovat asuneet minussa. Lapsuuden ja teinivuodet asuin Iissä, lähellä Lapin läänin rajaa ja siitä oli helppoa käydä tekemässä isäni kanssa eri pituisia retkiä sinne tänne erämaihin (hiihtäen tai patikoiden), kalastamaan, melomaan ja marjametsiin.

As a young adult, work and life took me to southern Finland, where I spent about 30 years in Pirkanmaa. However, the call of the Lapland wilderness was strong, and I had to spend at least a week there every year, sometimes even longer. Every time I visited, I felt that this was a place where I belonged. Life kept me firmly in southern Finland until 2019, when it began to seem possible for me to move permanently to Lapland as my youngest child reached adulthood. I spent some time searching for a place to live until I found one in Levi in the spring of 2022. Since then, I have lived in Levi and have become self-employed in the Tunturi-Lapland area.

In 2019, I trained as a fishing guide and in 2022 as a wilderness guide. In the spring of 2023, I obtained avalanche technician certification in the field of snow safety.

Training and titles

• Fishing guide
• Wilderness guide
• Canoeing Instructor
• Ski Instructor, Alpine, Level 3.
• Hiihdonopettaja, telemark 1
• Ski Instructor, Cross-country skiing
• Avalanche technician, Finlav Pro 2
• Ski Patrol 2
• Carpenter
• Arborist
  

I want to offer you and your group part of my expertise on how to hike safely, whether with your own group or alone. Safety is the main focus of my backcountry skiing trips, with enjoyment being a side benefit. On fishing excursions, I will guide you to fish-rich waters and show you the tricks to catch that record-breaking grayling or the highland lake trout and arctic char with your lure.

Where did the idea of starting your own guiding company come from?

I have been thinking about starting my own guiding company for years, but establishing it hasn’t been a quick process; it has required a journey of many years. Entrepreneurship itself is familiar to me, but the tourism industry is uncharted territory, and I needed to study it a bit. I completed training as a fishing guide and a wilderness guide, and I worked at Levin Ski Resort, which gave me confidence in my own work in the tourism sector.

The guiding principle is to provide services that customers want to experience. My operations are often based on customer preferences, and I almost always customize the trips according to what the customers desire.

How did the company name, Adventure Marmot, come about?

The name of my company, Adventure Marmot, or 'Retkimurmeli' in Finnish, is the result of long contemplation. I wanted a cheerful and fun name. Alternatives included names like 'Adventurous Fox,' 'Artic Fox,' and 'Lemming,' but I felt that their pronunciation and spelling did not fit as well as 'marmot.' There’s something cute and perhaps even childish about it, as well as fun, as can be seen from the logo. The smiling marmot exudes positive energy.
Adventure Marmot is part of Fishgu Oy (Fishing Guide Services).

Welcome to my guided tours to experience stunning and unforgettable nature experiences.
Best regards, Janne Hapuoja