When we were asked in the summer of 2023 whether we wanted to buy Mushing Magazine, we struck a deal in the cramped offices of the Nome Nugget. In that moment, we knew we wanted it to be much more than a print magazine. We were foolish to think that a print magazine in today’s world was a worthwhile business venture on its own. Besides, we were podcasters, and pretty dang good at it. We weren’t traditional writers; we weren’t ad salesmen, we were novice publishers at best, and far from financially able to pay top dollar for stories from elite writers and photographers… all of these are what traditionally make a print magazine a print magazine.
But do you know what? We were strategic visionaries who believed it was we who should be the predecessors in the history of this magazine, and of Team and Trail, which we bought the same year. Behind the scenes, we have spent more than two years quietly making this a reality. This is what is important to us. This is what drives us. Not a print magazine. Those days are long gone.
As we stand on the threshold of 2026, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to you, our loyal readers, longtime subscribers, dedicated supporters, and the entire mushing family who have walked this trail with us through thick snow and changing winds.
In August 2023, we took ownership of Mushing Magazine and aligned it under the Team and Trail Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering adventurers, fostering sustainable outdoor leadership, and promoting equity in dog-powered sports. What began as a passion to preserve and celebrate the legacy of this remarkable sport has evolved into something far more meaningful: a shared mission to keep the stories, the bonds, and the spirit of mushing alive for generations to come.
Thank You for Believing in Us
Your support over the past years has been extraordinary. Through the transition, the challenges, and the quiet moments of rebuilding, you stayed. You renewed, you shared our content, you listened to the podcasts (including the revived The Dog Driver series), and you reminded us why this matters: the unbreakable partnership between mushers and their dogs, the raw beauty of the trail, the perseverance, loyalty, and teamwork that define dog-powered adventure.
Whether you’ve been with us since the early days of print issues, discovered us through our digital library, or joined via Mushing+ for exclusive access to stories, interviews, gear insights, and community events, you’ve helped fuel every mile. Thank you.
The 2026 Revamp: Bigger, Deeper, and More Impactful
2026 marks a bold new era for Mushing Magazine. We’re not just tweaking the format; we’re transforming it to deliver the kind of content our community deserves, focusing on what we do best: authentic storytelling, community building, and celebrating the people and dogs who live this life.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Four powerful issues throughout the year, each packed with more pages and richer, more immersive content
- Deeper storytelling and extended, in-depth profiles of the trailblazers, innovators, and everyday heroes shaping the world of mushing, from veteran mushers to emerging voices in dryland, urban, and global scenes
- Far fewer ads, allowing the focus to remain squarely on substance, narrative, and the human (and canine) stories that inspire us
- Greater reach to introduce dog-powered adventure to new audiences around the world
We’re drawing thoughtful inspiration from two highly respected publications that have mastered this balance: Adventure Journal (reader-supported, quarterly print with minimal ads, high-quality outdoor narratives, and sustainable production) and Colossus (premium, ad-light, long-form storytelling with exclusive in-depth profiles and a membership focus on substance over fluff).
The result? A magazine that feels more like a premium, curated experience, authentic, substantial, and built for those who live and breathe this lifestyle.
The Biggest Shift: You’re No Longer Just a Subscriber, You’re a Member
This is the heart of what we’re building.
Gone are the days of simply purchasing a subscription to receive a magazine in the mail. Starting in 2026, your support makes you a member of something much larger: a thriving nonprofit community under the Team and Trail Foundation.
As a member, you become an owner of the mission. Your involvement helps fund leadership development, direct grants to organizations promoting sustainable outdoor practices, advance equity in dog-powered sports, and preserve our shared heritage. You gain access to exclusive content, the full digital library, special events, educational resources (like webinars, workshops, and more), and the knowledge that every issue, podcast episode, and story contributes to a legacy that extends beyond the page.
This isn’t about buying a product; it’s about investing in a movement. Together, we’re ensuring that the magic of mushing, the bond with the dogs, the thrill of the trail, and the lessons in resilience continue to inspire and grow.
Looking Ahead
The transition to this new model will take careful time and effort, but we’re committed to delivering four exceptional issues in 2026 that honor the past while boldly stepping into the future.
If you haven’t yet joined as a member, we invite you to do so at
https://mushing.com/mushingplus. Renew, upgrade, or step in for the first time; your place is waiting.
Thank you again for standing with us. Your belief has carried us this far, and together, we’re going much farther.
Here’s to more trails, more dogs, more stories, and a stronger community in 2026 and beyond.
Run silent, run dogs.