Olney woman's sled-dog racing expertise tapped by many, including Hollywood

When Pam Beckstrom of Olney saw a sled-dog racing team for the first time, she had no idea how it would change her life. These days, the woman who has been called the race historian for sled-dog racing in Montana is known as the go-to person for all things in the mushing community.

Sitting in her kitchen with her skijoring partner, a 70-pound Akita named Sachi, Beckstrom recalls the first time she ran into a mushing team while cross-country skiing on McDonald Pass in her early 20s.

“I just stopped and watched it coming at me. I was mesmerized,” she remembered. “After I asked him about a thousand questions, the driver asked if I wanted to take the team down the hill. Of course I said yes. It was the most scared and excited I have ever been at the same time, but it was really fun. That’s what got me started with sled-dog racing.”

And thus began Beckstrom’s lifelong love of sled-dog racing.

These days, Beckstrom is known for knowledge of the history of the sport, and her company, Adanac Sleds and Equipment, has become the go-to for Hollywood mushing movies. The company’s sleds have been featured in such films as “Eight Below,” “Snow Dogs” and “Klondike.”

When the producers of Disney’s latest rendition of “Call of the Wild” needed someone to provide sleds for their movie, they knew exactly who to turn to.

“The history of the sport has always intrigued me,” Beckstrom said. “When they call me up for these projects, I pride myself in doing the research and making sure the sleds are as historically accurate as possible.”

Beckstrom came to be a part of Adanac after meeting owner and Montana racing legend Jack Beckstrom while helping to organize the 500-mile Governor’s Cup race in 1986. The race survives today as the 300-mile Montana Race to the Sky, which recently celebrated its 35th running. Pam has served as secretary for the race since its beginning and Jack helped organize and participated in the race up until his death in 2018.

“I really think the mushing community was rocked by his passing,” Pam said about her husband. “He helped everyone and he mentored so many mushers. He spent so much time with other mushers to make sure they learned how to do it right. He was really responsible for shaping the mushing community in Montana. His principles are still followed by many people.”

A year after moving to Montana in 1975, Jack took over a dog-sled building business after his friend Lee Fishback died. He got a call from Lee’s widow, who asked if he could take over the handmade sled portion of the Fishbacks’ ZIMA Sled and Harnesses businesses. He was up for the challenge. Later, he bought Mel Fishback’s patented ZIMA Harness Co., and that was the springboard for Adanac Sleds and Equipment. Wanting his company to be listed in the A’s, Jack came up with the Adanac name (Canada spelled backwards).

“It’s kinda silly, but it has a bit of an Alaskan flair to it,” Pam said.

Together, Jack and Pam helped expand the company’s line of products from the original harness and one type of sled to the three harness types and 14 sleds offered today.

Over the years, they could be found at races across Montana, helping to organize the events and providing encouragement and advice to anyone who would take it. It was this helpful spirit, as well as love of the sport and his dogs that Jack is remembered for.

Jack was also known for helping grow the sport of sled-dog racing in Montana, organizing the popular Root Beer Classic (named after his lead dog) in Polebridge in 1983, which was one of the state’s longest-running races until several years of low snowfall forced its cancellation.

“It was a really fun end-of-the-year race. They raced for root beer and other related prizes and it was named after one of the most homely dogs ever born. She was an amazing lead dog, though.”

After her husband’s death, Pam took over Adanac and continues to serve as secretary for both the Race to the Sky and the Montana Mountain Mushers organization, continuing to give back to the sport she loves.

“There are probably very few parts of the Race to the Sky that I haven’t had something to do with. I know all the racers, they are my friends, and they come to me whenever there are questions,” she said.

Over the years, Pam said she has seen a lot of positive changes to the sport, most importantly in the way that the dogs are cared for.

“The way mushers think of their dogs has changed so much. They are athletes and they have to be treated like athletes. They have to be fed right with good, nutritious dog food and they must be allowed to rest when they need to rest,” she said. “These days, we are seeing exceptional vet care for dogs and racers doing a much better job of taking care of their teams. We are also seeing smaller kennels, where the dogs are getting more attention and better training.”

Pam will again be found on the course next weekend as she helps organize the Flathead Classic sled dog races at the Dog Creek Lodge in Olney, giving back to the sport she loves so much.

“It’s a small sport, but it’s a huge family,” she said. “Distance sledding is a way of life, it’s not just a sport.”

Reporter Jeremy Weber may be reached at 758-4446 or jweber@dailyinterlake.com.