Who we are

Julie Travadon Coutelier

Julie grew up among the family sled dogs and began racing as a child. Sled dog racing was part of the lifestyle her parents passed on to her, so it was only natural that she would go on to run some of Europe’s toughest long-distance races. Over time, the dogs, the trails and her appetite for adventure shaped far more than a passion: they taught her endurance, humility, care and the confidence needed in demanding wilderness conditions. Before creating Lakita Lodge, for over 12 years Julie built a career in strategy and transformation. Today, she brings these two worlds together — the instinct and humility learned through a lifetime of adventures, and the precision needed to create a refined, deeply personal guest experience in Swedish Lapland. One purpose drives it all: sharing her passion for the dogs and the beauty of the North.

Raphaël Coutelier

Raphaël has always been drawn to movement, freedom and the thrill of mastering powerful machines. From motorbikes and snowmobiles to aviation, his passions reflect a love for speed and wide-open spaces — the exhilaration of moving through nature with skill, instinct and control. Beyond the machines, he is deeply drawn to wild places, animals and the raw beauty of nature. Before creating Lakita Lodge, Raphaël spent over 13 years in the luxury industry, where he developed a sharp sense of detail, quality and client expectations. At the lodge, he brings that refinement together with a hands-on love for wilderness, animals, machines and adventure — creating an experience where everything feels considered, cared for and effortless.