Exploring, celebrating, and
sharing dog-powered adventures.
Mushing Magazine has been a resource for dog mushing enthusiasts since 1988. We are proud to continue this tradition in more ways than ever before. Run Silent/Run Dogs is our motto and the reason so many of us understand that the bond developed with a team of dogs only happens because of dedication and determination. We hope that you will join us on this adventure!
Mushing Magazine is a publication dedicated to the sport of dog mushing, which includes dog sledding, skijoring, and other forms of sled dog racing. It has been a key resource for enthusiasts of the sport, offering articles on training, equipment, race coverage, and profiles of mushers for more than thirty-five years.
Mushing Magazine was founded as a niche publication to cover the sled dog sports community comprehensively. It started with a focus on both competitive and recreational aspects of mushing. The original mission of Mushing Magazinewas published by editors Todd Hoener and Al Geist in the first issue of the magazine in February 1988. This magazine was the natural result of people wanting more information about a growing activity gaining interest worldwide: dog mushing.
The project began with a simple idea: Give mushers and mushing enthusiasts a vehicle for communicating with each other, and the knowledge they generate will improve the overall quality of dog sledding. Mushing Magazine was that vehicle. The editors developed the magazine into a broad network that allowed readers access to helpful information, adventurous entertainment, and greater opportunities. We will regularly present articles on dog sledding history, innovations, and prevention and treatment of dog diseases and injuries.
The magazine included sections for mushing events around the world. There were stories about mushers with an eye out, especially for those indigenous to the North – the “first” mushers. Like many activities, dog sledding can create controversy between different interests, and we plan to address those issues that can affect the musher’s lifestyle.
The magazine gained popularity as the sport of mushing grew, especially with events like the Iditarod and Yukon Quest gaining international attention. It featured contributions from experienced mushers and experts in dog care.
During this decade, the magazine expanded its content to include more in-depth articles on dog training, nutritional advice, and technological advancements in sled design and equipment.
In 2006, Greg Sellentin merged Mushing Magazine with his fledgling publication- Sled Dog Sports Magazine. Greg grew Mushing Magazine over his 10 years as publisher, and Mushing Magazine continued to be the most comprehensive and most read magazine in our sport.
The digital revolution saw Mushing Magazine adapting by offering digital subscriptions and enhancing its online presence. This period also included more interactive content, such as interviews and multimedia race coverage. After mentoring by Greg Sellentin, the next owner and upcoming musher Jacob Witkop, and publisher Rose Hewitt, Mushing Magazine returned to interior Alaska when Jacob Witkop and his brother Robbie purchased Mushing Magazine in April 2015.
The new owner’s goal was to capture the inherent beauty and adventure of sled dogs and mushing through stories, exclusive interviews, beautiful photography, dog talk, and more. The team felt they could publish an entertaining, informative, and visually appealing- magazine that mushers and enthusiasts can and will look forward to reading for years to come.
Mushing Magazine was sold again in 2019 to renowned dog mushers Diana Haecker and Nils Hahn, who also publish the Nome Nugget, the oldest newspaper in Alaska. The husband-and-wife team published several issues and had unique access to the Iditarod finish since it was in their hometown. Plagued by supply issues and increased costs brought on by the pandemic, the magazine was again put up for sale.
Up to 2023, the magazine continued to serve as a crucial resource for the mushing community, though, like many print publications, it faced challenges from the shift towards digital media. It maintained a loyal readership by focusing on high-quality content and in-depth race analysis. Later, in 2023, Robert and Michele Forto of Willow, Alaska, known as “The Mushing Capital of the World,” purchased the magazine to bring it into the digital age with a promise to the previous owners to keep the print publication going.
Robert Forto saw an opportunity in Mushing and its supporters, who were keen on a new vision. With the combined print, digital, educational, and membership assets, The Forto’s aim to expand its reach with other offerings, including a massive database of content that most of the mushing community has not read online, which includes Team & Trail, that they also purchased in 2023. The team is developing a proprietary search function using generative AI and plans to launch it within three years.
