Travis Vanderhoof grew up on a dairy farm in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, where sled dogs were already part of family life through his father’s racing.
He started his own kennel in 2016 and now lives in Willow, Alaska, with 30 dogs. Since then, Travis has raced events including the Beargrease 120, Gunflint Mail Run, Knik 100/200, Willow 300 and Copper Basin 300, his favourite race.
The Iditarod had long been in the back of his mind, but it became real after building his own team and completing his qualifiers.
Now, Travis is preparing himself and his dogs for the challenge ahead.
What is your full name?
My name is Travis Vanderhoof
How old are you?
I am 44 years old
Where were you brought up?
I grew up in Shell lake Wisconsin on a dairy farm.
Where do you live now?
I am in Willow Alaska now.
How many sled dogs do you own?
I grew up with sled dogs, my dad raced, but I got my own kennel in 2016, and now have 30 of my own.
What races have you competed in?
I started racing in Wisconsin doing the Beargrease 120, apostle islands, Gunflint mail run. None sign 40, Goosebay 150, Knik 100/200, Willow 300, Copper basin 300
Has it always been a dream to run the Iditarod?
Running Iditarod has always been in the back of my mind as a huge fun thing to do but never a reality until I started my own kennel and started racing in Alaska
What made you decide that this year would be the year to sign up for the race?
After starting our kennel in 2016 and finishing my qualifiers a couple years ago, I had wanted to sign up for Iditarod in 2025 but life gets in the way, this year was on the table and was really helped by the donation to Rookies by Kjell Inge Rokke and Thomas Waerner.
What can you tell me about your team?
Our team consists of mostly 5/6 year olds and a 2 year old
What’s your favourite sled dog race?
My favorite race is Copper basin 300
How are you preparing for your first Iditarod?
Iditarod training will be different as I need to train myself and my dogs! I can normally push through a 300 miles race with very little sleep, but plan on training myself more for the lack of sleep this year!
What’s the best advice you have received regarding mushing?
The best advice I have been given is to expect the unexpected, I will be preparing for any and all conditions
Do you have any friends who are also dog mushers?
Since moving up to Alaska we have developed a great friend/musher community and really love our little town of Willow where many train out of
Is there a certain part of the Iditarod trail you are looking forward to, like maybe the beautiful scenery from the Yukon River or the food from Takotna checkpoint?
I am really looking forward to seeing what the “Steps” happy river steps and Dalzell Gorge is really like
Is there any part of the Iditarod trail you are nervous about like the Bering sea coast or the Steps?
I am most concerned about the “burn” and no snow
If for some reason you don’t make it to the finish line in Nome, will you try again?
I would want to try again if I don’t make it
What kind of things do you like to do when not mushing?
I like to Hunt, fish, camp, being outside!
Thank you to Travis for taking time to answer our questions in the Meet the Rookie series.
We wish him the best of luck in the 2027 Iditarod.
You can follow his race on the Iditarod website.
Photos courtesy of Iditarod, Whitney McLaren & Julia Redington and John Nielsen
