Meet the Mushers of the Upper Peninsula

The eager barking of sled dogs pierces the crisp night air. Snow crunches underfoot as you take your place alongside the track. Cowbells ring, cheers rise and a countdown ticks off the seconds before another musher and their team start their journey. Snowflakes swirl in sled lights as teams surge forward, their sleds gliding down Marquette's snow-covered Washington Street and into the dark, winter-clad woods of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. 

This is the start of the UP200, one of the Midwest's premier 12-dog mid-distance sled dog races. An official Iditarod qualifier, the race sends mushers and their teams on a 228-mile journey from Marquette to Grand Marais and back again, through dense woods, rugged trails and across the wild, snowbound beauty of the Upper Peninsula. Each February, world-class racers and crowds of bundled spectators gather to celebrate their passion for winter adventure. 

But you don't have to be an Iditarod hopeful to experience the thrill of mushing. Across the Upper Peninsula, dedicated mushers invite visitors to meet their spirited pack, step onto the runners and experience firsthand what it means to glide through the woods behind a team of energetic, determined racers.

From Racer to Guide

Among them is Tasha Stielstra, a winner of the UP200 and co-founder of Nature's Kennel Sled Dog Adventures in McMillan. For over two decades, she has raised and trained generations of sled dogs, and she competed at the highest levels before turning her passion into creating an experience where she can share the magic of mushing with others. 

Stielstra's journey into dog sledding started almost by chance. "I always liked to be outside," she said. "I met a guy who had sled dogs and stumbled onto the sport." 

After a brief stint in Minnesota, where Stielstra worked as a teacher, Michigan's Upper Peninsula – with its reliable snowfall and public land – drew Stielstra and her then-husband back home to build a racing and touring kennel. 

"We did a lot of racing through the years," she said. "I have kids that are 12 and 15. Once they were born, I stepped back from racing and stayed closer to home to focus a little bit more on the touring aspect." 

That shift in focus coincided with the region's growing reputation as a winter tourism hub. 

"Eco-tourism has really grown and exploded, and winter tourism in general in the Upper Peninsula has really grown," she said. 

Today, Nature's Kennel still keeps a foot in both racing and guiding. Stielstra maintains a kennel of around 150–200 lovable sled dogs – each one treated like family. Nature's Kennel has won numerous humanitarian awards for excellent dog care. 

The kennel remains home to a handful of young mushers and employees in their early twenties who are just getting their start in the sport. 

"I've got a couple of young girls in their early 20s who are going to do the UP200’s shorter race, the Midnight Run," she said. "I have a young manager and some young employees who are interested in doing a little bit of racing, which the sport really needs." 

While professional dog sledding has seen a decline over the last two decades, Stielstra has seen interest returning more recently.   

"This is the first year I didn't have to advertise for help because I had so many applicants – people wanting to step back from the world a little bit," she said.

Try It Yourself

The desire to slow down is exactly what Stielstra sees drawing travelers of all ages north to try mushing for the first time. Nature's Kennel offers 10-mile dog-sledding experiences that run seven days a week throughout the winter, with both morning and afternoon sessions. Visitors can either drive their own team or ride along with a guide, learning to harness and handle the dogs before setting off into the snow-covered wilderness. 

There's beauty in slowing down long enough to experience something real. Out on the trail, surrounded by silence and snow, the world seems to simplify. 

"These dogs will exist regardless of what happens in the world," Stielstra said. "They don't know how complicated things tend to get right now. It's a super authentic, real experience." 

That authenticity, Stielstra believes, is what makes mushing transformative. 

“I want people to walk away feeling, ‘Wow, that was real,’” she said. “I got a little bit cold. It's okay to be a little bit cold. I tried something new that I didn't just watch on Facebook. I got out of my comfort zone and I did it.” 

Many visitors come to McMillan from far away – families from Florida and travelers from Chicago or Detroit – searching for something real and rare. 

“Michigan is a hidden gem,” Stielstra said. “It's affordable for families to come, when they compare it especially to other places. It's a real family experience that gives those teenage kids something to talk about, something that they can challenge themselves to do.”

More Dog-Sledding Experiences in the Upper Peninsula

In addition to Nature's Kennel, several other mushers across the Upper Peninsula welcome visitors to experience the sport firsthand.

Husky Haven Sled Dogs – Shingleton

Just outside Munising, in the tiny town of Shingleton, Husky Haven Sled Dogs is a small, family-run kennel that prides itself on unrushed, personalized tours for small groups and families. Guests begin each visit by meeting the huskies and learning the basics of mushing before setting off, riding or driving a double-driver sled alongside the musher, with guidance the whole way. Husky Haven also offers guests the opportunity to tailor their tours to a distance of their choice.

Otter River Sled Dog Training Center & Wilderness Adventures – Tapiola

Near Houghton, Tom and Sally Bauer of Otter River Sled Dog Training Center & Wilderness Adventures have made it their mission to raise and train healthy, happy dogs, sharing their passion with as many people as possible. Their tours combine hands-on learning with a deep respect for the dogs and the sport's history. Visitors can ride in the sled or try their hand at driving their own team with expert guidance. The Bauers also work closely with youth programs and Michigan Tech's Mushing Club, helping to pass the tradition to the next generation.  

Learn more about dog sledding in Michigan, from races to hands-on experiences. 

Find more inspiration for winter activities in Michigan. 

Get more insight about the UP200 in Michigan.