02/11/2026
For many Alaskans, snowmachining is a way of life or a favorite pastime. At Pioneer Peak, itโs all of that and more. Not only do we understand the sport โ and the rigors of riding and racing โ but we also have a provider who is an Iron Dog race veteran. He has treated snowmachine enthusiasts for years โ from Iron Dog pros to the weekend warriors. Our goal at Pioneer Peak is to provide timely care for all Alaskans, choosing the best approach for treatment, even the highest level athletes back to competing.
As the 2026 Iron Dog race approaches, we wish all the teams a safe run, we are particularly proud to see one team in the field.
In 2020, we started sponsoring Iron Dog Team 7 racers Tyler Aklestad and Nick Oldstad. Neither were new to the race, or to winning, but this was their first time racing together as a team.
That year, they went on to capture their first win together. It would be Nickโs third championship title and Tylerโs second. In 2021, they scratched due to mechanical, but in 2022 and 2023 they bounced back, claiming back-to-back championships. Nick was up to six wins, and Tyler to four. In 2024, the two scratched after Tyler demolished his sled hitting something outside of Buckland. With the 2025 race, the pair set their sights on their seventh and fifth respective victories, but in January, while on a training ride Nick crashed, suffering a lumbar burst fracture.
Nick came into see us on January 6, 2025, immediately following an MRI at Valley Imaging Center, meeting with Dr. Greg Strohmeyer (Iron Dog veteran racer) and Dr. Garret Schuchart. Dr. Schuchart took the lead in Nickโs treatment plan options. His injury carried a high rate of intra-abdominal and neurovascular injuries, fortunately, these symptoms were not present, and he was able to be successfully treated without surgical intervention.
Fourteen days later, on January 20, Nick started hitting the gym, focusing on recovery using resistance bands and walking.
Flash forward to a month later โ Tyler partnered with longtime friend and rookie racer Aaron Loyer who stepped in just weeks before race day. Sending them off at the starting line was Nick. The two went on to place third and there to welcome them home was, again, Nick.
By March of 2025 Nick was out of a brace, and by July he began entering CrossFit competitions. He is an example of determination and grit, and the hard work he put in is his to own and celebrate. He may not have raced the Iron Dog in 2025, but he proved over those few months that the competitor within is still solidly there!
Weโre so proud to have been part of the team that put Nick back on the path to racing. We are again sponsoring Iron Dog Team 7 and wish Tyler and Nick a safe, fast ride to another victory.
*Patients permission provided to give Pioneer Peak Orthopedic Surgery rights to testimonial.
