Tomi Vainio
Tomi was born and raised in Kerava, close to Helsinki, Finland. He came to Svalbard for his studies but found the Arctic so interesting that he started both new studies and his career as a guide.
In Finland Tomi fulfilled a bachelor’s degree in physics at the University of Helsinki, and then finished a master in atmospheric sciences with a focus on snow, ice, and oceans.
Tomi ended up in Svalbard on a student exchange to UNIS for a four months course in atmospheric physics, but he enjoyed the Arctic lifestyle so much that he kept making new, short-term plans to stay longer. He took a course in glaciology and sea ice, and then worked at UNIS as a course- and research assistant in glaciology and geography. Next to being a guide.
– I really enjoy the weather on Svalbard. It’s a bit different every day and can change from one valley to the other. You can go hiking in the same area but have very different experiences than your friends had the same day. Actually, being out in company with the weather is such a nice feeling – you can’t just escape indoors on a moment’s notice so you have to take it as it comes and be prepared, says Tomi.
If you go on adventures with Tomi remember that you are guided by a man with thoroughly knowledge of the surroundings you are in, glaciology, sea ice and geography.