Our team

Behind Giellajohka is a family that works with heart. Our staff ensure that every guest feels welcome and can enjoy the peace of the wilderness in the best possible environment.

About Us

We are a small family-run business born out of a love for the nature of Lapland and a passion for community-based tourism. Our mission is to offer our guests authentic experiences that combine the pure northern wilderness, warm hospitality, and relaxed togetherness. Welcome to enjoy peace, a sense of community, and a truly unique atmosphere!

Giellajohka is a homelike place where you feel like you're part of the whole community and its daily life. *“It’s like coming home – safe, with people around who genuinely listen and care.”* *“I feel truly heard and seen.”* – Customer Survey 2021

The staff are skilled and highly professional. The entire operation is characterized by a genuine desire to create meaningful, personalized experiences. Our team is attentive and eager to share knowledge and insights about the northern nature, culture, and its unique characteristics with those who visit us. We are also deeply committed to passing on our own sense of appreciation and respect for the northern wilderness and all that it represents.

Our core values are respect for nature, fellow human beings, and culture. Within our work community, we practice fairness and equality—and we treat our guests the same way. Our motto is: *Listen and be heard.* As a family-run business, we are able to offer customer-oriented and flexible services, grounded in the shared values of our family and staff.

As a small accommodation business with fewer than 50 guest spots, every visitor is truly seen and heard. They are not just part of a mass tourism revenue stream, but a genuine member of our community. This also creates the opportunity for guests to get to know one another—especially during our activities, where group sizes are intentionally kept small. To further support a sense of togetherness, we’ve created campfire areas and a multifunctional common house, where you can read books, play games, cook, watch the reindeer through the window, and simply enjoy time with locals and fellow guests.

In the future, we will continue on this path—one where everyone feels well. We won’t build aurora domes or glass igloos where the only view is a narrow slice of sky or the neighbor’s igloo. We won’t build structures or infrastructure in the wilderness. Wilderness disappears with development—and once it’s gone, it cannot be brought back. We choose team members who genuinely respect our guests, our work community, and nature. With these values, we’ve created a place where you can feel good—and so can we. And we’re truly happy that you’re here.

Our team


Get to know our skilled and friendly team, who make sure your visit is always smooth and enjoyable. Each of our team members brings their passion and professionalism to the table, so you can fully enjoy unforgettable experiences and genuine northern hospitality.

Anita Järvelin

Grand Mama
The mother figure of Giellajohka, who greets every guest with boundless confidence, blending several languages into a unique—if often incomprehensible—dialect. A talkative hostess who warmly welcomes you to our holiday village! “Hey, hey!”

Jouni Järvelin

Big Boss
Our CEO usually does a bit of everything—but isn’t particularly good at anything. You’ll most often find him at the reception desk, but when the moon rises in the northeast and the wind blows from the opposite direction, Jouni heads to the river. *"A salmon man's kiss is worth twice as much."*

Anni Järvelin

Co-owner
Anni is one of Anita’s smartest children. She doesn’t particularly care for work herself, so she’s busy raising the next generation to handle things on her behalf. When she’s urgently needed, she shows up with her son and assistant, Tristan. *“I told you so.”*

Vesa Autio

Chief of Property Maintenance
Vesa is a hardworking man skilled in engineering. He works whenever he’s not out fishing. His greatest passion is fishing.

Aki Rasmus

Maintenance man
Aki knows every motor vehicle like the back of his hand. He's not afraid to get his hands dirty repairing an SUV's turbocharger, or to freeze his fingers while welding a snowmobile's support arm in the freezing cold. "Now we'll fix everything, damn it."

Tiia Karhapää

Chef
When Tiia brings a beautifully prepared dish to the table, the aromas fill the air and the flavors soon dance on your taste buds. The colors are vibrant, each element arranged with artistic harmony, and the tastes are simply irresistible. “Bon appétit”

Heini "Hennu" Janhonen

Cleaner
Hennu is an artist, and when it comes to housekeeping, he handles it as smoothly as a brush glides across a canvas. His precision and graceful approach make everything he touches feel like a masterpiece—whether it’s cleaning a room or creating art. *"Forward," said grandma, standing in the fire.*

Jenni Vidgren

Wilderness guide
Jenni is sometimes seen as the assistant to Deputy CEO Miuku, but in reality, she has a deep love for nature and all its creatures. As an activity guide, she is approachable and a great conversationalist!

Uusi tyyppi

Titteli
Lorem

Miuku

Deputy CEO
A social princess who loves being the center of attention. A rather capable hunter; the worst enemy of small rodents. “Meow!”

Tatti

Business Development Manager
The eldest four-legged member of our team is an introverted soul who prefers to stay in the shadows during the day. When the sun sets, they work diligently to help grow our business. “meow”

Fela

Financial Secretary
A young woman who has worked hard to reach the top level of the cat tree in her career. Fela is open, curious, and super cute in all her fluffiness. “purrrrr”

Overview of Giellajohka

Experience a piece of Giellajohka and fall in love with it through the video!

Contact Us

Ready to escape the everyday and embrace the peace of Lapland? Relax, recharge, and enjoy unforgettable moments. Get in touch for more information or to book your stay!

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