Skiing with the dog

Kelly has been hiking in the snow and loves it. I was thinking of trying her out running a long on a skin-ski up at the pass. Anybody have any comments, suggestions, warnings?

I love skiing with doggies. Some are better behaved than others though. What I don't like is dogs who chase me (read nipping at shins and getting in the way) down, or follow too close while skinning up and step on my tails. What I do like is seeing another species ripping down a steep pow line - they really dig it and it's quite magical to watch. Some dogs are better suited, golden retrievers for instance can get snow balling up under their armpits and between their toes. I have done a fair bit of soloing and borrowing friends dogs is a great way to have a little company and give the mutts a good run. One day I will have a ski doggie of my own..... sigh...... however I have to grow up first to take on such responsibility.

Have fun with Kelly!

taking my dog is great, and to her its the most fun thing that she does. how much does your dog weigh? my dog is 27 lbs and at that size i have to keep a close eye on the conditions, it can get too deep for her sometimes. in my experience if your dog is 60+ lbs he/she can probably handle deep snow.

thanks,

she's about 50lbs, part lab, part aussie shephard, she loves the snow. I have heard that the snow can be hard on paws, but I haven't seen her have a problem yet.

My snow dog, Anna, has been to the top of St. Helen's twice, Adams, once, as well as many trips around Stevens, Commonwealth and Baker. Mine will actually chew or lick the ice crystals out of her paws if the weather is extremely cold.

Don't take yours to Paradise, they're not allowed off the parking lot.

My furry friend (sadly departed now) LOVED skiing and was my BEST ski buddy. Always cheerful and good to go. When the skis and pack came out she bounced and grinned.  That dog got to see the view from the summits of Shasta, Hood, Adams, St. Helens, South Sister and many other vistas not prohibited by Park service regulation. Cody the best dog ran circles around the two-leggeds on skis and learned to avoid metal edges and to run on the side of groomed trails so as not to mess up the track.

A few tips for dog skiing:

Bring some good high protein doggie snacks. It's a lot of exercise and your buddy needs fuel too.

Teach pooch how to catch a drink from a squirt off your camelback or bring a ruffwear dog dish for drinks. Like people at altitude in winter, hydration is important for dogs as well.  Give drinks.

Try some grease between the puppy toes to prevent the snow dingoballs.  Dogs will chew at the snowcrystal balls that form between their toes, but a little cooking oil can help keep the crystals from adhering and growing if you can keep your dog from licking the oil off. We tried those booties that sled dogs use, but my dog hated them and it was hard to keep them on. Lost a few boots, as they eventually seem to come off anyhow, especially in deeper snow.

I know it sounds gross, but either pack out the poop (like you have to do mountaineering) or use your shovel to bury it real deep in a tree well. It totally sucks to ski over, or worse fall in "brown klister!"

If you are skiing through an area where xc skiers have set a nice diagonal track or skating lane it is good etiquette to keep your dog off the tracks. It can be a bummer to have dogs, hikers and snowshoers mess up a good ski track.

Have fun!