Tanya McCready

Tanya McCready, co-founder of Winterdance Dogsled Tours, has built a life centered around adventure, leadership, and the wilderness. Twenty-five years ago, Tanya and her husband Hank left their careers and home in Guelph, Ontario, to pursue a dream in the wilds of Haliburton. They transitioned from urban life to build a family, a business, and a lifestyle around their beloved huskies. Today, Winterdance welcomes over 2,000 guests each winter to experience the excitement of dogsledding across their 2,000-acre wilderness property.

Tanya’s journey began when she and Hank adopted a husky puppy almost 30 years ago. This decision led them to explore dogsledding, which quickly became a lifelong passion. They have competed in six 1,000-mile races across Alaska and the Yukon. The lessons and stories from these races inspired two bestselling books, including Journey of 1000 Miles, which became an international bestseller.

As a speaker, Tanya McCready shares valuable lessons on leadership, teamwork, overcoming adversity, and entrepreneurship. Over the past two years, she has presented to over 200 organizations. These include military leaders from Canada, Central and South America, Fortune 50 companies, and law enforcement agencies like the Ontario Provincial Police. Tanya was also selected for a TEDx talk, where she captivated audiences with her unique perspective on resilience and growth.

Tanya, Hank, and their huskies have appeared in numerous media outlets, including CNN, the New York Times, and the Rick Mercer Report. They’ve also been featured in movies, TV shows, commercials, and music videos. Tanya and Hank also run a 2,500-tree maple syrup farm. They share their home with four children, 150 huskies, and three cats.

Through Winterdance and her speaking engagements, Tanya McCready continues to inspire others to follow their dreams and embrace the challenges of building a life with purpose.