about us

Our story

Who we are?

Location

Överkalix, Swedish Lapland

Dogs

32 Alaskan huskies and a Golden retriever mix.

Team Snøsnute is built on the shared passion of Tuuli-Maria Ristilä and Alexander Johansson—two people from different parts of Norden who met in Norway and quickly realized they shared a dream: to build a life with sled dogs and long distance racing.

Tuuli is originally from Finland, where she grew up in a family with a love for hunting and the outdoors. A childhood filled with team sports and a plan to study law eventually gave way to a different calling—sled dogs. She’s deeply passionate about dog behavior and psychology, and when she’s not on the trail, you’ll likely find her reading, knitting, exercising, or learning about marine biology (she has a soft spot for sharks).

An extroverted introvert with a shy streak, Tuuli prefers cozy nights at home with the dogs to busy social gatherings. For her, life with the dogs is more than sport—it’s a way to connect, grow, and care for each individual in the kennel as part of the family.

Alex grew up in the south of Sweden and originally studied music, something that still plays a big role in his life. Creative, calm and always hands-on, he’s the kind of person who’d rather be building, fixing or training than sitting still. Whether it’s tuning gear, improving the kennel setup or taking the team out for a run, Alex brings energy and quiet dedication to every task.

He’s drawn to the rhythm of mushing, the hard work behind the scenes and the quiet trust built between human and dog. His practical skills and steady mindset are part of what keeps Team Snøsnute running smoothly.

If you ask us, we’re just a pretty ordinary couple—maybe even a little boring—who spend most of our time with our dogs. But we’ve been fully infected by the mushing virus, and there’s no cure for that.

We absolutely love this lifestyle. Yes, it can be tough, but it gives more back than it ever takes. And for us, there’s nothing better than living this life with our dogs, every single day.

What we do

At Team Snøsnute, we mush, care for our dogs and share plenty of cuddles.

Most of our time is dedicated to training and preparing our team for long-distance sled dog races. Our training season runs from August through May, beginning with quad runs on forest trails and transitioning to sled training once the snow falls and the lake is safely frozen.

Our race season starts in January and continues through April. While we currently focus on traditional snow races, we remain open to trying dry-land competitions in the future.

During summer and warmer months, we keep our dogs active with a large free-running pen. Living by a lake offers the perfect opportunity for swimming—both for exercise and cooling down—as well as hiking in the surrounding forests and occasional overnight stays away from the kennel.

But mushing is much more than training and racing. It includes feeding, cleaning pens, grooming, nail care, health checks, and understanding each dog’s individual needs. We spend quality time with every dog—whether cuddling, playing, or simply being together.

There’s a special serenity in this lifestyle. The love our dogs give is pure and healing, reminding us why we do what we do every day.

Our vision

Our vision is to educate, inspire, and continuously learn alongside our dogs and community. We are committed to ensuring our dogs’ happiness and well-being by providing the highest standards of animal welfare. This includes top-quality nutrition, carefully selected equipment, and comprehensive care such as physiotherapy, massage, and regular veterinary visits. Each training season is thoughtfully planned to support their health and performance.

We aim to compete in the longest and most challenging sled dog races in the world, striving to finish strong with a team of energetic, well-prepared dogs. Our ambition is to place among the top mushers, but every competition is first and foremost an adventure—a valuable opportunity to learn more about ourselves, our dogs, and the sport we love.

Above all, our vision is to live our dream alongside our dogs, cherishing the time we spend together—training, learning, cuddling, and simply enjoying life. We are one big family, where every member matters and no one is forgotten.

Our values

Animal Welfare:
The well-being of our dogs is our top priority, with a strong emphasis on excellent care and minimizing stress.
Responsible Breeding:
We are committed to responsible breeding practices, focusing on raising healthy, social puppies born to run.
Individual Care:
We treat each dog as a unique individual and a valued member of our family.

Our dogs are more than athletes—they are family, and their well-being is our highest priority.

We recognize that each dog is unique, with its own personality and needs. By treating every dog as an individual, we ensure they receive the care, attention, and support best suited to them, while fostering harmony within the team.

We strive to maintain a calm, well-behaved kennel environment with minimal stress. Our goal is to breed healthy, social puppies with the natural drive and spirit to run—future leaders of the trails.