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Who is Iditarod Musher Sam Paperman?

March 9, 2026
Editor and/or Contributors

Sam grew up in Seward, Alaska, and his path into mushing started in the most natural way possible. He lived across the street from musher Travis Beals, and what began as time spent hanging around the dog yard quickly turned into something more serious. By the age of fourteen, Sam was working at Turning Heads Kennel, helping with the daily routines that keep a competitive sled dog team running. Within a few years, he was on the runners himself.

Since 2019, Sam has been deeply involved in the training and care of a large kennel of around 65 dogs, gaining hands-on experience in the demanding world of long-distance racing. Along the way he has competed in several Iditarod qualifying races, including the Jr. Iditarod, steadily building toward the next step in his mushing career. This season he makes that leap with his rookie run to Nome.

Sam credits Travis Beals as one of his most important mentors, not only for teaching him the fundamentals of dog care and training but also for showing him what it takes to live and work outdoors in Alaska’s toughest conditions. For Sam, the Iditarod represents more than a race. It is a chance to share a long journey with his team and see just what those dogs are capable of on the trail.

When he is not running dogs, Sam keeps busy in the Alaska outdoors. He enjoys backcountry skiing, biking, and hiking, and he also volunteers with the Bear Creek Fire Department. In addition, he works as a QMED aboard the research vessel RV Sikuliaq, operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

With strong support from friends and family behind him, Sam is preparing for the challenge of the trail as he steps into his first Iditarod.

Each night we profile a different musher on The Burled Arch podcast during the Iditarod. Check back for more profiles.

📸 Photo Credit: Turning Head Kennel