Meet The Rookie – Sydnie Bahl

What is your full name?
Sydnie Bahl

Do you have a nickname?
Syd, Syd the kid

Do you have a kennel name?
I have the honor to train and race under Vern Halter’s Dream a Dream Dog Farm.

How old are you?
35

Where were you brought up?
I grew up in Minot, North Dakota.

Where do you live now?
Wasilla, Alaska

How many sled dogs do you own?
We have 32 dogs at Vern Halter’s Dream a Dream Sled Dog Farm.

How long have you owned sled dogs?
I have only been involved with sled dogs for 2 years. I moved to Alaska in 2021.

What races have you competed in?
Goose Bay 150 in 2023
Copper Basin 300 in 2024
Yukon Quest Alaska in 2024

What’s your greatest achievement so far?
Qualifying for the Iditarod so quickly in my career. I feel very fortunate to have great mentors and family support. It takes a village!

Has it always been a dream to run the Iditarod?
I moved to Alaska in 2021. I am a physical therapist. My first patient was married to an Iditarod musher. I quickly became intrigued and began pursuing the sport of dog mushing and began training with Vern Halter.

What made you decide that this year would be the year to sign up for the race?
I completed all of my qualifying races in 2024 and felt ready to take on The Last Great Race!

What can you tell me about your team?
We have 32 dogs ranging from 2-10 years old. We have a very talented team of Iditarod finishers which will help to bring confidence to the younger 2 and 3 year olds who have not yet been out on the Iditarod Trail.

Do you have a website?
sydniebahlmusher.com
dreamsleddogtours.com

Do you have sponsors?
Ancora Home Health and Hospice

Do you look up to a specific musher?
Vern Halter, Susan Whiton, and Cindy Abbott have provided me with an invaluable amount of knowledge and training.

Have you handled for an Iditarod Veteran musher in the past?
No

Have you won any awards during a race?
No

What’s your favourite sled dog race?
Yukon Quest Alaska 300 was the most challenging race and I learned a lot. It was great training and prep for the Iditarod.

How are you preparing for your first Iditarod?
Preparing for the Iditarod is a comprehensive process that involves both physical conditioning and building a strong bond with the dogs. Every interaction and day with the dogs is a form of training

What do you think you can expect from Iditarod?
I am excited to travel to remote Alaska with 16 of my best friends. I am looking forward to enjoying the challenge of the trail.

What’s the best advice you have received regarding mushing?
Matthew Failor reminded me to have fun out on the trail and to take the time to enjoy every moment.

Are you from a mushing background?
No

Do you have any friends who are also dog mushers?
I love the tight-knit community of dog mushing; we consider many as family now. Some of our most memorable and fun Christmases have been spent with friends at the kennel. Until moving to Alaska in 2021, I did not know any mushers.

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?
There isn’t one thing in particular that I can point out. I would love to be able to go through Rainy Pass during the daylight hours! I have not ever raced on sea ice before so that sounds like a fun challenge as well.

Is there any part of the Iditarod trail you are nervous about like the Bering sea coast or the Steps?
The Gorge I am both excited and nervous about.

If for some reason you don’t make it to the finish line in Nome, will you try again?
Absolutely, I will try again.

What kind of things do you like to do when not mushing?
My husband and I enjoy skiing both cross country and downhill, hiking, mountain biking, and going to our family lake in North Dakota.

What is your favorite food / drink?
Popcorn

What’s your favorite music?
I like a wide variety from folk to 80’s rock to country. You can’t go wrong with a good Disney sing along song!

What’s your favorite film?
Grumpy Old Men

What’s your favorite book?
I have way too many. I don’t think I could pick just one.

What’s your favorite city?
Minot, North Dakota. That is my hometown where I was born and raised. My husband and I are both from there and we have a lot of family still there.

What’s your favorite item of clothing?
Socks: I love socks even during the summer!

Do you have a lucky charm?
Ben Good gave me 2 pieces of glass after the YQA 300. He told me that another musher gave the glass to him and now he is passing it on to me! That was a very memorable moment for me. Ben and I helped each other on a few different sections of the trail.