Do you love snow and winter and can’t wait to pack the car with warm clothes ready for a trip to the mountains?
Perhaps you’re planning a holiday with your dog, but are wondering what it’s like having a dog in the mountains. A mountain holiday with your dog gives you many fantastic experiences. But there are a couple of things to think about before you head off to colder climes.
GO SKIING WITH YOUR DOG
The first thing to remember is that your dog can’t go on the slopes. If you want to experience the mountains with your best friend think far and not high. Pack your cross country skiis and get ready for a mountain adventure. Skiing with your dog gives you many joyful moments. Most ski resorts offer cross-country trails where dogs are welcome, but you usually need to have your dog on a lead. There are strict rules when it comes to leads, especially in places where reindeer husbandry is allowed, so check in advance.
MAKE SURE YOUR DOG IS ON A LEAD IN THE MOUNTAINS
When you take your dog to the mountains, there are lots of different choices of lead, so think about what suits you best. If your dog pulls it’s important not to use a collar. Which harness you choose depends a bit on what your dog is used to and what suits you. If you want to get some help with pulling or just to avoid the hassle of a lead in your hand, we can recommend purchasing a canicross kit – a belt and elasticated cord.
Only use a fully grown dog for pull training as it is too stressful and hard for a young dog or puppy. If your dog has sensitive pads that are hurt by sharp objects on the ground, or find it uncomfortable if ice forms under their paws, its a good idea to invest in paw protection. Remember to leave your steel-edged mountain skis at home if you are going to ski with your pet as they aren’t a good combination with your dog.
MOUNTAIN HOLIDAY WITH YOUR DOG – FILL UP ON ENERGY
Make sure you are prepared before heading out. A ski trip requires a lot of energy, for both you and your dog. Pack some snacks and treats to fuel you on your adventures for both you and your dog. If your dog gets cold bring a blanket. Remember that running water is not always easy to find on a mountain in your winter clothes, so pack this as well. Also, don’t forget to take poo bags out with you if your dog considers taking a toilet break straight on the track – dog poo is not the best ski lubricant…
- Make sure your dog has enough energy – find our Swedish dog food here.
CHOOSE TRAILS TO SUIT DOGS
Now it’s time to explore and really enjoy your mountain trip with your dog. Pick a trip you can both manage. Go on a shorter trip first to find out what is possible and most fun. Even if you are an experienced skier, it is a completely different experience to have a dog with you who wants to explore every snow drift and have fun with you. Take it easy in the beginning, you can always pick up the pace later if you want to. It is good to think about which track you choose to ski with your dog. Four paws can be enough to destroy a track, depending on snow quality. Start with the tracks that allow dogs and find out which ones are popular among skiers who actively practise skiing as a sport and avoid those in favour of trails where people ski for fun. In places where cross-country skiing is more organised, dogs are usually referred to the skate tracks so they don’t destroy the classic tracks. Finally, enjoy having your dog in the mountains and adventuring together! Fresh air, beautiful winter scenes and great exercise with your four-legged friend is truly special. Quite simply, a wonderful holiday with your dog
