“At the age of 11, I wrote about Husky Ranch Lapland in my school essay titled ‘What I want to be when I grow up’. Back then, I didn’t know much about dogs – I dreamed of malamutes,” says Juho Ylipiessa, one of the entrepreneurs behind Husky Ranch Lapland. That dream has since shifted to Alaskan huskies, of which there are around forty living at the ranch. “They’re easy to work with and have an excellent work ethic,” Juho summarizes.
During our conversation, my attention is drawn to a rotating device at the edge of the yard. It resembles a horse walker, but inside it jogs more than ten dogs. The dogs are clearly intrigued by the visitors who have arrived. They wait at the gate, tails wagging, until the rotating device guides them to continue their run.
Soon the wheel stops and changes direction. The dogs switch their running direction smoothly with the machine. Hanna Ylipiessa, the other entrepreneur at the ranch, explains that the direction changes automatically every ten minutes. This ensures that the muscles are worked evenly. The dogs have jogged in the device for 1.5 hours, covering a total of 15 kilometers – it’s time to go to work!
Getting the team ready
“It’s best to stand here at the edge when we release the dogs. They come out fast and don’t always watch where they’re going,” Juho warns.
Moments later, a group of Alaskan huskies rushes across the yard, bursting with excitement. One might think that a 15 km jog would have burned off their energy, but for these dogs, it was just a light warm-up. After the initial frenzy, the dogs find their way to us. One by one, we put harnesses on them and attach them to the sled team. Wet kisses and nudges for attention are inevitable – these dogs love people.
One dog after another, the team begins to form and the excitement builds. The volume rises – the dogs are eager to go. Even the senior huskies in the enclosure at the edge of the yard get excited about the preparations. Juho jokes that the senior enclosure has an age limit of 10+. Currently, all four retirees are over 11 years old. It’s touching to see how the whole pack shares the anticipation.
Since the ground is bare and there’s no snow, the team pulls a cart instead of a sled. The cart is much heavier, so more dogs are needed. A cart carrying five people is pulled by 12 dogs. Hanna encourages us to hop aboard and hold on tight – the start can be fast. Moments later, the dogs are given the signal to run and they dash off. The barking stops and silence falls. Without snow to smooth the terrain, every bump is felt. We cheer with excitement as the cart bounces over the initial bumps and potholes.
Thrill of speed and thirsty mouths
The team winds through pine forests. After the rain, the ground is wet and puddles are unavoidable. We laugh as the dogs try to scoop water into their mouths while running. Water splashes along the sides of the cart, but somehow we humans stay dry. A sharp curve looms ahead. The dogs charge into it without braking, and we feel it in our stomachs – this is much wilder than in winter!
Soon Juho stops the team. The dogs pant heavily, tongues hanging long. It’s time for a water break! Hanna hands out bowls and fills them with water. The dogs start licking even before the water hits the bottom. Soon the entire team is lying down, drinking eagerly. Once their breathing settles, it’s time to head back. The return journey is swift, and soon the gates of the home yard come into view.
The team stops in the yard and we disembark. The dogs are given water and food and released to cool down freely. It doesn’t take long before the first dog sits at our feet, pressing close. Soon there are two, then three. Our hands aren’t enough to pet them all at once. Hanna offers cinnamon buns and berry juice heated over a campfire: blueberry, lingonberry, and crowberry, she says. One by one, the dogs drift back to their enclosures to rest.
Time for puppy therapy
Juho opens the puppy enclosure and six 11-week-old Alaskan huskies burst out. They run, play, and jump up just as energetically as three-month-old puppies should. I crouch to pet them, but immediately realize my mistake: three puppies race toward me, competing for attention. One licks my face, another grabs my hat, and the third jumps on me, knocking me onto the ground.
The puppies have plenty of love to give. As is typical for puppies, the chaos soon slows down and sleepy pups begin to climb into our laps. How much affection can one feel for the same dog that just chewed on your fingers with sharp puppy teeth? Perhaps that’s why puppies are so cute – they get away with everything.
Sled dog life in summer too
Husky Ranch Lapland specializes in longer sled dog safaris during winter, conducted in small groups. Juho and Hanna, along with their dogs, offer experiences ranging from 10-kilometer treks through snowy forests near the ranch to week-long adventures in the open fells.
During the snow-free season, the ranch offers kennel visits where guests can learn about the dogs’ daily lives. You can also join these cart rides, which are part of the dogs’ training for the upcoming winter. Tailored visits are available for various groups and companies.
When the dogs’ eyes shine with excitement, it doesn’t matter whether the ground is covered in snow or not. This is something you have to experience yourself!