Turning Heads Kennel

Alaska Dog Sledding Tours

2025

Weekend Reflections from the Mat-Su Outdoors Show

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We stopped by the Mat-Su Outdoors Show this weekend—not as vendors, just as a family excited to reconnect with Alaska’s outdoor community.

The show was full of energy—gear, guides, outfitters, and folks swapping stories about summer plans and past trips. We ran into our neighbors from the Seward KOA and enjoyed catching up with them. We also saw former Turning Heads Kennel glacier guide Allie Sargent who has one of our former dogs, TJ.

It was great to see so many familiar faces and new businesses all in one place, sharing what they love. Events like this are more than just booths and brochures—they’re about celebrating the lifestyle we live every day and the community that makes it all possible.

After the show, we grabbed lunch from one of the many food trucks (hard to choose just one!) and spent some time with Elias at the playground. It was the perfect way to cap off a sunny, spring weekend.

Going to the show reminded us just how passionate Alaskans are about wild spaces, adventure, and the small businesses that support it all.

Early April at the Kennel: A Quick Update

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Winter may have never arrived but it certainly isn’t in a hurry to let go either. Despite having no snow for much of the training season, now that it is April and the season for racing is at an end, the snow does not want to disappear. Sometimes we get a dusting, sometime an inch, and sometimes two. It is all gone by mid-afternoon but it has made for a sloppy start to the spring.

For now, are working on organizing the chaos after racing season. We will pick up our Iditarod drop bags and begin unpacking them. Travis’ “spare” sled, along with Ebbe’s, somehow ended up in Fairbanks. It means a roadtrip is in someone’s future. (Here is to hoping they hitch a ride south with someone!)

Sam finished the Kobuk 440 on Tuesday in 9th place. Flying to Kotzebue with 12 dogs, by himself is no small undertaking. The weather supposedly wasn’t great and even in good conditions it is a notoriously difficult race. I look forward to hearing about his race and sharing it.

The dogs who stayed home are happy but growing restless. The cycle of snow and sun making a muddy mess not suitable for running. Plus, this is the start of our brief off season: a time when the dogs can rest and recover after a hard season of racing and training and before tours begin. We are also taking time away: a quick trip to Hawaii is in our future with Travis’ family.

We are lucky to have had such a fun season. Luckier still at the adventures yet to come.

Congratulations to Ebbe Pedersen: 2025 Iditarod Red Lantern Finisher

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Congratulations to Ebbe Pedersen on completing the 2025 Iditarod and proudly earning the Red Lantern! Ebbe crossed under the Burled Arch in Nome with a traveling time of 13 days, 13 hours, 40 minutes, and 18 seconds, running a determined and spirited team of dogs from Turning Heads Kennel.

What is the Red Lantern Award?

In the Iditarod, the Red Lantern is awarded to the last musher to finish the race. Far from being a symbol of defeat, it’s a mark of perseverance and grit. The tradition honors the musher who refuses to give up, guiding their team all the way to Nome no matter how long it takes.

It represents the spirit of the race — determination, resilience, and the deep bond between musher and dog team.

We Are Proud of Ebbe Pedersen 2025 Iditarod Finisher

We are incredibly proud of Ebbe and the amazing canine athletes who powered down the trail, still charging into their harnesses all the way to the finish. Their strength, heart, and determination were on full display in what was the longest Iditarod ever run. Ebbe worked incredibly hard throughout the training season. We enjoyed his perspective as an outdoorsman and trapper of 20+ years here in Alaska and the unique perspective he brought from his time as a Norwegian musher.

Now, it’s time for some well-deserved rest. Congratulations, Ebbe — we’re so proud of you!

Travis Beals Finishes the 2025 Iditarod in 6th Place

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Congratulations Travis and team for an incredible 6th place finish with an official time of 11 days 12 hours 50 minutes and 21 seconds. Travis crossed the finish line on March 15 at 12:50am surrounded by friends, family, fans and the intrepid people of Nome.

The 2025 Iditarod will go down in history as the longest route the race has ever taken. With trail conditions forcing a start in Fairbanks, mushers journeyed west to Kaltag before making a southern loop along the Yukon River to Shageluk, then retraced their steps north back up the Yukon and onward to the coast.

This year’s route tested both teams and mushers with soft trails, long runs between checkpoints, and an incredible amount of miles. It was a true test of endurance, strategy, and grit. For those of us who love and follow this race, it was one of the most challenging and unique Iditarods we’ve ever witnessed.

Here is the 2025 Iditarod Team

  • Zydeco
  • Queen
  • La Niña
  • Tsunami
  • Twister
  • Switch
  • Foxy
  • Kaz
  • Keister
  • Nyvok
  • Tug
  • Rump
  • Copper
  • Hannah
  • Skunk
  • Ohmer

You guys made us so proud. In a tough training year, you all rose to the challenge. Well done!

Most importantly, we are so happy to have our dada off the trail.

The 2025 Iditarod Start Has Moved To Fairbanks

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The Iditarod start has moved to Fairbanks. The start moving so far north and adding an extra day between the ceremonial start and the restart is a pain — but we adjust and move on. More daunting is the new trail is almost 200 miles longer. I’m grateful for once not to be racing. 900 miles of river running is boring and gives you too much time with your thoughts. There are no real changes in the landscape or sections of trail to require concentration. It is monotonous. 

I don’t know what to expect from the team this year. Training started off stronger than ever but with no snow here since January training has been difficult. Travis has to balance the role of father and musher. He is doing it as well as anyone. Conditions have meant he’s had to travel to get the dogs trained. He craves that elusive victory but not at the expense of missing too much family time and for that i am so grateful. 

Elias is quite the wild child. Little kids are exhausting, humbling, rewarding and enchanting. I find myself in awe of everything our son does, however simple. I find myself in a slower pace and more regulated to the sidelines than I once was. The passing of seasons can be so hard. I find myself reading more of adventures than having them myself and get ready once again to sit on the sidelines. Cheering too is its own virtue and I am lucky for what we have — even if at times I do feel like the sled dog that wasn’t picked for the team. 

Travis is downplaying his chances this season, whether because he genuinely feels that way or to lessen the pressure on himself I can’t say for certain. It always seems like a mad rush to get to this point of the season and then time crawls painfully forward until the 3-2-1-go of the start. 

Then the anxiety starts. I feel am stuck right now in the “hurry up and wait” phase but all too soon the race will start and my nights will be restless with worry and anticipation.