Meet the Family
Husky Ranch Lapland is a family-owned husky farm near Ylläs, built around a lifelong passion for Arctic nature, sled dogs and authentic wilderness adventures.
Behind every safari and ranch stay are Juho and Hanna, together with their pack of over 40 energetic Alaskan Huskies. What started as a passion for the outdoors and sled dog racing has grown into a way of life that we are proud to share with our guests.
For us, huskies are much more than working dogs – they are family members, adventure partners and the heart of everything we do. Animal welfare is our first priority. We believe the best experiences come from small groups, genuine encounters and a deep respect for the dogs and the northern nature we call home.
Meet Juho
Juho Ylipiessa is a long-distance dog musher, wilderness guide and lifelong outdoor enthusiast. Born and raised in the small village of Liakka in southern Lapland, he has spent most of his life exploring the Nordic wilderness through fishing, birdwatching, hiking and hunting.
At the age of twenty, Juho attended the Wilderness Guide School in Muonio and has since guided people through some of the most remote landscapes of Lapland, from dense taiga forests to the open tundra of the far north.
His journey with sled dogs began in 2005 in Kiruna, Sweden, while working for renowned musher Mats Pettersson. There he discovered not only dog mushing, but also a passion for long-distance racing. A few years later, Juho spent the winter of 2008–2009 in the Yukon, working as a handler for Yukon Quest champion Hugh Neff and gaining valuable experience in one of the world's toughest sled dog racing environments.
After returning to Finland, Juho got his first sled dog, Gamas. Over the years, that single dog grew into the pack that now forms the heart of Husky Ranch Lapland.
Meet Hanna
Hanna was born and raised in Rovaniemi and has built her career around tourism and hospitality. Before returning home to Lapland, she spent five years working abroad as a representative and service manager for Thomas Cook Northern Europe in destinations across Southern Europe and Asia.
Back in Finland, Hanna studied Hospitality Management at Lapland University of Applied Sciences while continuing to work in tourism. Her experience covers customer service, destination development, marketing and hospitality management.
Animals have always been in her life. Sled dogs entered Hanna's life in 2012 when she met Juho. What started as a new adventure soon became a shared passion. Today, Hanna works full-time at Husky Ranch Lapland, looking after sales, marketing, customer service and, of course, Taking care of the dogs alongside Juho.
Meet Our Dogs
Our pack consists of nearly 40 Alaskan Huskies, each with their own unique personality.
The Alaskan Husky is widely regarded as the ultimate sled dog. They are bred for endurance, athleticism and an incredible desire to run. Our dogs come from respected bloodlines from Alaska, Norway and Sweden, with many tracing their roots back to the legendary Iditarod champion Jeff King and other top long-distance racing kennels.
What we love most about Alaskan Huskies is their character. On the trail, they give everything they have and seem happiest when running through the wilderness. Back at home, they transform into affectionate, social companions who love attention from both family and visitors.
One question we hear surprisingly often is:
"Do you really remember all your dogs by name?"
A friend once asked us this when visiting from Southern Finland. At first, we laughed. To us, the answer seemed obvious. After spending a few days at the ranch, she understood why.
Before leaving, she said:
"How could I ever have thought otherwise? They all have completely different personalities."
And that's exactly how we feel. To us, they are not just sled dogs. They are family members, teammates and the reason we do what we do.
