The Location and history of the Isokenkäisten Klubi

Isokenkäisten Klubi is situated close to Russian border, only two kilometres away from the frontier zone, next to the beautiful Lake Heikki.

Akso`s farm was bought in 1974. This is an old farming area, which includes a kilometre of shore line, land, fields and forest. In 1989 Pesäkolo cottage was built by the Lake Suininki. The people who used to stay there, wanted to have tours to the forest close by, especially when the snow was hard enough to carry them. This is how the visitors came to the Akso farm in the beginning. The lean-to shelter with its fireplace was built close to the farm and attracted customers from far away. They came either by cross-country skis, which was some 10km, or they were transported there by the snowmobile, to eat their tasty camp snacks.
 The following summer the Heilato –cottage with sauna, was built by the Lake Heikki, and then it was the turn of the hut called Helekuta. And of course we needed to have a good sauna there, so then our Seven Star Smoke Sauna was built with its wonderful moisture full heat inside.

The first customers were usually the people from the high ranking positions in Finland, the so called `Big Shoe people´. Those highly respected men enjoyed their meals in our cosy hut, where the food was brought across from the Kiviperä home. Before their good night sleep in the Lappish hut or in the army tent, they relaxed in the Smoke Sauna. The next thought was that we needed to have a drying room. That came, because of the customers wet snowmobiling clothing was very difficult to dry in those harsh conditions. That was the beginning of the Isokenkäisten Klubi and surrounding buildings. So that is the true story of how it was named the `Isokenkäisten Klubi´. Originally from its first “Big Shoe” customers!

Owners

In the beginning Sirkka and Aimo Kämäräinen ran this business together as a side line to their farm house work up until the year 1998. And then their daughters Sirpa and Katja Kämäräinen bought shares in the company, and more in the year 2004, now they are the main share holders. Also in year 2004 they bought the farm house from their parents. During the years from 2004-2005 the Isokenkäisten Klubi has been expanded, and in the beginning of 2007 the new accommodation building Kortteeri was completed. Tourism has been their main business mind since 2006. Our company form is Ay.

Business idea

Isokenkäisten Klubi is situated right next to the Russian border deep in the forest. We offer dining services, accommodation and program services, also party services for companies, individual people, clubs and communes. At the Isokenkäisten klubi people can enjoy their events and special occasions in a real homely spirit and atmosphere.

Our Company values are;

• High quality service, which means, that the entrepreneurs themselves are always welcoming their customers when they arrive. Service is planned and directed individually to the customer wishes - and groups.
• Close to our guests, which means warm welcoming, a happy mind and relaxed atmosphere
• A Homely spirit accommodation, which reminds of grand mother’s house with its decoration of wooden floors and walls, and walking around with wool socks inside.  
• Located deep in the nature, which is a remote area by the border, bringing feeling and the real experience of silence, with the wonders of the ever changing four seasons.
• Profitable, which is highlighted in a family business, and that means keeping up the continuing possibilities and their importance.

Business Plan

We want to provide our customers with unforgettable and comprehensive experiences, which leave them with fond memories. To win over the far distance from Ruka and Kuusamo, with our personal and individual service, and also with the peace from the pristine nature, and by using the nearby beauty of the hill of Kuntivaara and Russian border.