skiing with dog

I'd ease your pup into it if possible - a couple of friends have had problems with their dog's pads getting cut up on the snow. 

Agreed on this point.  My dog cut her pads and I actually had to carry her down about 1000vf.   And I didn't have skis.  Just went for a summer hike at Hood.   It was suggested to use booties...

I go up with my dog quite a bit but make sure you work into it with your dog slowly. You don't want to over-work a young dog, one that is not in condition. Dogs don't know better and will exhaust themselves to keep up with you.
hyak.net/jonley/050502.jpg

5 or 6 years ago I was on Mt. Jefferson with 3 other guys and a dog. This dog, like most, had no ability to not chase/harass wildlife and she tried to bite a porcupine.

The next hour was pretty intense. 3 big guys trying to hold the dog down while its owner painfully removed 40+ quills from its face and the inside of its mouth. It looked like excruciating pain, and I found it scary to try to hold open a dog's jaw. Those teeth are sharp and designed for shearing.

After the fact I was told that if you cut an inch or so off the back end of the quill it would release the barb and pull out much more easily. Just wanted to put that out there in case anyone finds themself in that situation.

After the fact I was told that if you cut an inch or so off the back end of the quill it would release the barb and pull out much more easily. 

Thanks for the tip! (uh, no pun intended I think) When you describe the back end of the quill is that the end that is imbedded in the dog, or the one sticking out into the air?

I go up with my dog quite a bit hyak.net/jonley/050502.jpg

OMG!!! is that a BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG?!?!?

I have a BMD puppy - my family INSISTED (I wanted a boarder collie or a poodle)! I thought she was WAY TOO BIG AND CLUNKY to go skiing. She's 7 mo (and 55 pounds) and yesterday did a 1.5 run without fuss....

The owner of Wallowa Alpine Huts has two Berners, they carry food to camp and tour all day without complaint. They are only a problem for the owner when skiing as they like to chase him.