How to Ski and Snowshoe With Your Dog
Get Outside With Your Dog in the Winter
November 13th, 2024
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A whole winter indoors finally got tiring, huh?
There’s only so much winter ennui that taking Daisy on a walk around the block will cure, and you and your four-legged friend are ready to get out and explore. However, everything outside the door is cold, wet, and slick.
Your backcountry ski setup or snowshoe kit means you’re good to go, but what about your pooch? Do they love to romp in snow, or are they more inclined to curl up on the couch? Are you nervous about taking your dog outside on a longer adventure than to the mailbox and back? We’re here to help both of you get outside during winter in a prepared and well-informed fashion.
Related: The Best Dog Hiking Packs
Related: Dog Hiking Gear List
Most dogs love snow, and are eager to play—but let’s face it, if you picked up a pandemic puppy, they may never have seen snow. Maybe they’re young, maybe they’re used to warm weather or the comfort of the couch. You can lead a dog to snow, but it doesn’t mean you can make them play in it. Be prepared to start slow and build up your pup’s outdoor exposure. Rex isn’t going to be ready for a 10-mile snowshoe trail if he hates getting his paws wet at the dog park.
But trust us—once you and Fido are prepared for a snowy wonderland, there’s no better feeling in the world than watching them romp through powdery trails with a huge canine grin. We need more excuses to get outdoors, and your dog (or dogs!) will give you a heck of a good reason. So whether you’re headed into deep snow in the woods or out on a jaunt in the park, take a look at what you need to know and pack before heading out in the snow with your dog.
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Winter dog hiking gear checklist
DOG GEAR ITEM | PRODUCTS WE LIKE |
---|---|
Warm Jacket | |
Ruffwear Cloud Chaser Jacket | |
Orvis Quilted Waxed Dog Jacket | |
Ruffwear Overcoat Dog Jacket | |
Paw Protection | |
Musher's Secret | |
Ruffwear Polar Trex Winter Dog Boots | |
GPS Collar with ID tag | |
Whistle Go Explore Health and GPS Tracker | |
Hands Free Leash | |
Ruffwear Roamer Leash | |
Harness | |
Ruffwear Web Master Harness | |
Safety Light | |
Ruffwear The Beacon Safety Light | |
Collapsible Water Bowl | |
RUFF Products BarkBowl | |
Backpack | |
Ruffwear Palisades Pack | |
Water Reservoir | |
Ruffwear 1 L Collapsible water bladder | |
First Aid Kit | |
Dog Adventure Medical Kit | |
Me and My Dog Adventure Medical Kit | |
Medication(s) | |
Your choice | |
Waste Bags | |
EarthRated Biodegradable Bags Unscented | |
Blanket/ Insulation | |
Rumpl Blanket | |
Snow Goggles | |
Rex Specs V2 Dog Goggles | |
Emergency Note | |
Your contact info and trip info in your dog's bag |
Step 1: Backcountry Basics with Dogs
Snow Skills to Keep Yourself Safe
The very first step towards a winter adventure with your dog is to know how to keep yourself safe.
The best way to keep your dog from harm’s way is to ensure that you are fully capable of carrying for it.
Skiing? Take an avalanche class to know your terrain. Know how to use your own gear safely and confidently—if you’re a beginner backcountry skier, don’t take your dog with you. Take a few practice runs alone to make sure you know how to skin, transition, and ski confidently before you’re responsible for a furry lifeform out there. (Our intro guide on Backcountry Skiing speaks more to this.)
If you’re just starting to snowshoe, learn how to use your snowshoes well enough to avoid stepping on your dog’s toes. Getting uphill in snow on your own is one thing; it’s a whole new ball game when you introduce a four-legged furry friend into the mix.
Above all, make sure you bring the essentials. A beacon, probe, and shovel are key, as are extra rations of food and water. Make sure you have a map, too-even a photo of a map on your phone can help you know where you are. If you’re in trouble out in the snow, so are your partners, furry or human.
Check to make sure that you’re headed out on dog friendly trails. Whether you plan on cross country skiing, hitting a snowshoeing trail, or getting in some winter hiking, know the local rules.
See our guide to Best Avalanche Beacons for our recommendations as well as our Avalanche Gear Checklist to make sure you have all the gear you need to be safe.
Know the Local Rules and Regulations about Dogs
If you're using a groomed trail for cross country skiing, make sure that the trail system allows dogs. It can be difficult to find a good groomed trail that allows you to cross country ski with your dog. This is a list of some cross country ski trails that do allow dogs.
Some trails are strict about their no-dog policy, and you should adhere to those rules. For example, some trails outside of Boulder, Colorado, are closed to dogs seasonally, like during raptor nesting season.
Most hiking trails require dogs to be leashed on-trail, and that rule doesn’t magically disappear once you strap on skis. Pick up your pup’s poo by packing doggie waste bags, get an extendable leash, and set a good example! This also goes for backcountry ski areas.
Even if leashed dogs are allowed in your ski area, be very careful about where you let Rover roam freely—if you let them roam freely at all. Dogs are less likely to trigger avalanches than humans, but it could still happen. If your dog is not so keen on recall, stick to the leash.
learn how to Avoid Dog Injuries
When you’re ready to make some turns, take care—some dogs (especially herding breeds) think it’s a good idea to attack skis. (Spoiler: it’s not.) Friends of the author have a cattle dog/heeler mix, Raider, who loves to bite at your ankles as you ski down, and he’s been sliced more than once because of his herding instincts. To adapt, his parents will send one person down the hill and wait for the downhill skier to call Raider to them. That way, he has a chance to be off-leash and run downhill without injuring himself or his parents—a win-win!
Still, doggie injuries do happen out there. A co-worker of the author works on Ski Patrol in the Pacific Northwest with his avalanche dog, Iggy. Even though Iggy is a professional avalanche/search-and-rescue dog, she was recently injured from sharp ski blades while on the job. Since it can happen to any pooch, you should also bring a dog-specific first aid kit alongside your human first aid kit.
REI sells a dog-specific Adventure Medical Kit that covers both you and pooch! If you want to make your own, include bandages, self-adherent vet wrap, Pawz rubber dog boots (great if there’s a paw injury and you still need to walk back to the car!), triple antibiotic ointment, and collapsible dog bowls for emergency food and water.
We’ll talk about this more in-depth in Step 2, but you have to pay attention to your dog’s needs. If they’re panting hard, stop and give them water. When you stop, check their paws for icy chunks stuck between their toes. Give them a place to sit or lay down that’s off the snow—that could be on one of your spare jackets or their own quilted blanket. If they’re tucking their tail or shivering, get them warm!
The author’s dog, Champ, is good about this—he always wants to keep playing and running in the snow, but he has a certain look that he gives his mama when he’s ready to be done. It could be he just needs a break or a snack, or maybe he’s ready to head back to the car. Either way, Champ can’t use his words—mama just has to know by watching.
For more of our favorite winter gear recommendations, see our most popular Snow Guide stories:
Step 2: winter dog Gear
You have an entire winter wardrobe-and so should your dog! While some of these items are only meant for the avid adventurer, other pieces should be considered winter staples for both indoor dogs romping through the snow and adventure dogs planning to be out in the elements for a long time.
If you aren't sure where to start, see Dog Hiking Gear List –written for people who adventure with their dog in the summer. Then, pick up some of these winter items based on where you're going, your type of dog, and your type of adventure.
dog Jacket
If nothing else, we would encourage you to get a jacket for your dog. Unless your fur-baby is an Akita, Malamute, or Bernese Mountain Dog (each known for their cold-weather tendencies), their coat may not be thick enough to handle heavy snow or ice. Keeping the wind and water off of them with a jacket will make sure they stay safe on an especially snowy or windy day.
We have three favorite jackets: the Ruffwear Cloud Chaser Jacket, the Orvis Quilted Waxed Dog Jacket, and the Ruffwear Overcoat Dog Jacket. Each jacket excels in certain conditions—from extreme cold to wet weather.
Champ, the author’s dog, is an indoor dog with an outdoor soul. And rightly so—he’s lived in Colorado, Alaska, and Maine over the course of his life. He needs jackets that can withstand the cold, damp chill of a windy Southeast Alaska morning, the brush-choked trails of Maine, and the powder days of Colorado. As a 100-pound Lab/Great Dane mix, Champ is a hardy dog, but his short hair leaves him vulnerable to the cold. Regardless of your dog’s size and experience outdoors, if you’re headed out in the winter, most dogs will want a jacket. Here are our favorites and why.
The waterproof softshell Ruffwear Cloud Chaser Jacket is the perfect coat for mid-day, sunny skiing in Colorado. It zips around your dog’s belly and chest, and sports short sleeves to keep the snow out of those tender areas.
Champ’s underside is where he’s most vulnerable and where he loses a lot of heat, so keeping as much snow off of him as possible is key. (Watch out when he goes to mark his territory, though—we’ve had a few mishaps with the fabric covering his important bits, and the same happened with his friend, Axel the Boxer, when he borrowed it for a day.)
The Cloud Chaser jacket is breathable but still helps keep your dog warm, which is great for maximum exertion. You can easily hook a leash onto the top of a harness through the slit in the jacket top, or clip a wandering-dog beacon between their shoulder blades.
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The Orvis Quilted Waxed Dog jacket did well in Southeast Alaskan rainstorms, a fresh blizzard’s-worth of snow in Maine, and sub-zero temperatures in Colorado. It's only downfall is that it simply straps underneath your dog’s chest, leaving under their legs and most of their belly exposed to piled snow.
The interior is coated in a thick, piled fleece that retains warmth even when Champ bounds down a powder-packed slope. It’s adjustable under his stomach, and in front of his chest. The velcro has lasted for more than four years with no issues.
Orvis made this jacket machine washable, so dog moms everywhere can breathe easy when Clifford takes a muddy tumble.
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The Ruffwear Overcoat is the go-getter jacket in Champ’s wardrobe. The durable, wind- and water-resistant exterior is like the Carhartt of dog jackets—it’s meant to withstand brush, bramble, and anything else that can grab at your dog. It’s a great light-rain jacket, wind jacket, and slush-resistant jacket. It also serves as an in-between of the previous two jackets. If you don’t want the super-warmth of a quilted jacket, but need something hardier than a softshell, this is a great pick.
Regardless of what you pick, make sure that it fits your dog properly. Measure their chest, torso (like you’re giving them a hug), and from their shoulders to the base of their tail. Most dog apparel companies will have a sizing chart and how-to-measure section since dog breeds can vary in build.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE RUFFWEAR OVERCOAT
Paw Protection
For those of us who live in areas where they like to salt, sand, or gravel the roads, winter can be a tough time for a dog's paws. If you don’t want to go the full monty-or your dog despises having boots on their paws, Musher’s Secret is about to become your new best friend. This salve protects the pads of your dog’s paws from cuts and owies caused by salt and sharp gravel, and keeps ice and sand out of any existing cracks. It can be an awesome boost to your dog’s stamina if their paws are ready for icy, snowy adventures. Keep it in your pocket if you plan to be out for a while so you can re-up.
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If you can’t avoid ice and clumps of snow balling up in between your dog’s toes, winter dog boots are the way to go. They can help keep your dog going strong in cold weather.
Winter booties give dogs better traction on packed or slick snow or on icy nordic trails. Dog booties can also prevent paw injuries. Snow can build up around the tops of the booties, which can be uncomfy for your dog, so make sure to check their paws every once in a while and clear that off.
Depending on your winter sport of choice and trail conditions, dog booties are key to extra insulation and winter traction.
We like the Ruffwear Polar Trex Winter Dog Boots because of the velcro adjustability underneath a zippered softshell sock that keeps snow out better.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE RUFFWEAR POLAR TREX WINTER DOG BOOTS
dog Collar, Harness, & Leash
These, my dog parenting friends, are non-negotiable. Not only are leash laws mandatory on many a winter trail, they’re just practical. No one wants their dog tearing off after a moose in the backcountry, or chasing the wrong set of skiers downhill, or getting into a scuffle with a less-friendly pup. (Plus, other trail users including those hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing can be scared of dogs!) Be respectful; put a leash on ‘em.
Many dog jackets are also harness-compatible, so you can keep pup warm and secure. If the jacket isn’t compatible, try putting the harness over your dog’s jacket. No matter what you use, make sure your dog has a name tag with your information locked on tight.
Dog Light
A wintertime gamechanger, especially as the sun only lifts its head for shorter and shorter days? A doggie light. This will really help you keep an eye on your pup if dusk is rapidly approaching and you’re still out in the field. Plus, it gives others a heads up that your dog is coming. (As a big black dog, Champ has been mistaken for a bear on the trail many times.)
We love the Ruffwear Waterproof & Rechargeable Dog Safety Light. It can clip onto harnesses and jackets or slip onto your dog’s collar with their name tags. This one has three color options and three light modes for super-visibility out there on the trail.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE RUFFWEAR THE BEACON SAFETY LIGHT
Food and water
You bring water and snacks for yourself when you’re out on the ski trail; make sure you don’t forget about Rover!
Bring along a collapsible dog bowl, a Ziploc bag of kibble, some dried meat or treats, and extra water.
While it may be tempting to let your dog gobble up snow instead of hauling extra water weight, it actually takes more energy for them to digest frozen water—and if they eat too much snow, it can make them sick.
Poop bags
Need we say more? Pick up that poo!
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First Aid Kit
Make sure you bring this safety gear with you! The company Adventure Medical Kits makes a dog-specific kit, as well as a human-and-dog combo. Or, you can make your own.
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Blanket/insulation from snow
When your dog gets tired on the trail or the snow gets to be a bit too cold, they need to rest and warm up. Bring along a lightweight, packable blanket to insulate them from the snow while they take a quick-well, cat nap. We prefer a quick drying puffy blanket made of a synthetic material. If it gets wet (and who are we kidding? It will) then synthetic insulation will still keep your dog warm.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE RUMPL ORIGINAL PUFFY RECYCLED BLANKET
Dog Snow Goggles
“Doggles” are great for the extreme adventure dog (or pups who live in windy places). Rex Specs Dog Snow Goggles keep the wind from blowing snow or other crud into their eyes. There are even tinted lenses for super bright days, much like your eyes would need ski goggles on a sunny or blustery day.
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Step 3: Pace Yourselves & Build Endurance
You can’t expect your dog to go from cozy-by-the-fire to romping-through-ten-miles-of-snow overnight. You need to take it easy at first, especially if you’re training a new puppy.
Don’t overexert yourself or your pooch early in the season. Be smart; be safe. Just like you wouldn’t go run a marathon without proper training, Peri can’t go from 30-minute jaunts at the dog park to 8-hours of cold, windy, icy hikes. Dogs can be prone to injuries, too, and blasting through a foot of snow is just as hard on their legs as it is on ours.
Start off with early-season cold hikes if you can, or shorter adventures close to home if you’re already in a mid-winter wonderland.
Get Spike used to their new gear on your morning potty breaks or on walks to the end of the road to make sure their new gear doesn’t hurt or chafe him.
Slowly build up the mileage until both you and your dog are comfortable with your chosen distance.
As the weather gets rougher, your adventures can get tougher.
Step 4: Post-activity care
You need to cold down (or warm up) after a big ski or snowshoe adventure, and so does your pup. Just like warming up before a big workout and cooling down after, make sure you start off easy at the start and end of your snowy dog adventures to prevent injuries. This is a great time to watch your dog for signs of frostbite, hypothermia, or icy paws before you get too far out, too!
Provide food and water after the outing
What more do you want after great turns or a powdery trek out and back? A full stomach and quenched thirst. Don’t forget your dog in those plans — just like you increase your energy expenditure being out in the cold and working out, they do, too. Protein in all forms is acceptable — the author’s pups’ favorites are dried salmon snacks for out on the trail, and warmed up stew back at the car. (Pro move — bring your stove out for apres beverages for you and warmed up chow for your dog. Forgot your stove at home? Tuck your dog’s food on your dash and crank up the windshield defrost!)
Just as important as food is water. While some dogs love to chomp on snow to stay hydrated along the way, they still need access to a water bow to stay truly hydrated. Melting snow is a great option, or share from your water bottle, too.
If the snow is deep (or the trail’s a good distance), your pup may want to take a snooze at the top of the run while you’re stripping your ski skins, or if you take a lunch break mid-snowshoe. There are great dog sleeping bag/blanket options out there, but the author likes to use an extra softshell or down jacket to lay down on the snow. (It gives you an emergency layer for yourself or your pup!) Otherwise, you can pack a Rumpl blanket or similar synthetic material blanket to toss on the snow.
Storing gear properly
Make sure your dog’s gear is cleaned, dried, and stored properly to keep its longevity — and effectiveness at keeping your dog safe and warm. If your dog’s harness, collar, jacket, or booties get dirty (mud, sap, too many snacks), refer to the manufacturers’ guidelines — but when in doubt, some warm water and a little detergent in a bathtub work wonders. Try not to put your dog’s gear in the washing machine, as it can damage gear.
However, if your dog’s gear is wet or snowy, hang it up to dry over a vent or on a clothes hanger. (No dryers!) Don’t pack away the gear until it’s fully dry, otherwise, it might become moldy. Keep an eye out for rips and tears in your dog’s gear, as well — damage can result in a cold and wet dog, and possibly an adventure cut short.
Safety considerations
Humanity’s best friends deserve our utmost attention when they’re out on the trails with us. Keep an eye out to make sure your dog is happy, healthy, and enjoying the snow just as much as you are.
Monitoring your dog's health and energy levels
Regular check-ins: You know how energetic your dog is. The author’s 13 year old Lab/Great Dane is a slower ambler, but he’ll pick up the pace when he’s excited about snow. Her Boxer puppy? Full-steam ahead, no matter the weather. But when the old man Lab/Great Dane starts falling behind rather than charging ahead, it’s time to take a rest. However, watching the Boxer takes a more practiced eye. She will run until she pants, but will wear herself out until she has no energy left. The older Lab will pace himself, and let you know when he’s tired.
You know your dog — keep an eye out for abnormal behavior that might signal something’s up, whether that means they’re cold, tired, hungry, or sense danger. (The Lab/Great Dane heard a moose before the author could!)
No matter what shape you’re in, make sure you take plenty of breaks with your pooch, even if they still seem raring to go. Feed them a little snack, offer them water, and enjoy the view!
Checking your dog for injuries or frostbite
Using your bare hands is the best way to check your dog for signs of frostbite, but keep an eye out as you’re skiing or snowshoeing for limping, biting at paws, discolored exposed skin, or ice building up around their paws. Signs of frostbite or injuries look like:
Areas are painful to the touch - your dog might pull away, or even nip at you, if they’re in pain.
Cold, brittle skin, exposed or covered.
Discolored skin. Keep an eye out for pale (read: no pink, like the bloodvessels are constricted), blue, gray, or black skin. This might be tough depending on the color of your dog’s skin, but when in doubt, assume they’re cold and warm them up!
Swelling in the frostbitten/injured area.
Blistered or torn skin.
A build up of ice in the frostbitten/injured area.
Low body temperature.
Shivering. If your dog is shivering then stops suddenly without getting warmed up, this could be a sign of hypothermia.
If you find any of these signs, it’s time to get your pup inside and warmed up. No injury can be fully assessed until they’re warmed up! If they have open wounds, torn skin, or blisters, make sure they’re cleaned out and dressed with clean gauze (just like you would a human). If you see discolored skin, ice build up that’s stuck to your dog’s skin, or swollen areas, warm up your pup as best you can and head for a vet to make sure there’s no more permanent damage — and that they’re not dehydrated or hypothermic.
What’s the best way to warm up your dog on the trail? Keep your dog wrapped in a dog jacket — Ruffwear makes several that we enjoy — that will keep the snow and wind off, and their body heat close. However, when the weather turns worse or your pup’s still too cold, we like to keep an extra layer stashed in our pack for ourselves or our pooch — an old down jacket, insulated softshell jacket, or even a camping quilt — to bundle them up.
Troubleshooting common issues
The best emergency response —whether that’s a broken leash or injured paw— is planned for well before you hit the trail. Here are a few common issues that may arise while you and your pooch are out adventuring, and how our four-legged enthusiasts handle them.
Dealing with your dog's fear or anxiety on the trail
Some dogs are less confident in new scenarios, with new equipment, in new environments, or around new humans and animals. Remember to be patient with your dog, reinforce good behavior with positive rewards, and ease them into a new activity — a 7 mile snowshoe isn’t an appropriate first snow outing for your puppy. Start off by wearing your snow gear around the house, out in the yard, or hanging out in the parking lot to familiarize them; take a lap around your house or local park to start off with, in an area your dog already knows and is comfortable in, both on- and off-leash if possible. Exposure over time is key, as is your own confidence — if it’s your first time snowshoeing, maybe leave your pup at home.
Handling encounters with wildlife
One of the scariest moments on the trail can be interactions with wildlife and your dog. If you aren’t confident in your dog’s recall off-leash, don’t let them off-leash. (Some trails may require you keep them on-leash at all times.) Especially in well-known wildlife areas (at the beginning of trails around other dogs, in willowy areas where moose like to hang out, near a beaver dam, etc.), keep your dogs on-leash until a clear area. Only let your dog off-leash if you are confident in their recall commands.
If your dog is on-leash and you come across wildlife, try to put yourself between the dog and the wild animal. That tells the dog that you are the dominant party and in charge, even if they try to break past you. Distract them, if possible, and depending on the animal, retreat back down the trail (moose) or wait for the animal to move along (deer, porcupine).
Tips for skiing or snowshoeing with multiple dogs
Just like dog parks, on-leash walks, and the vet’s office, meeting new dogs can be fun — and challenging. If you’re skiing with a new group of dogs, keep everyone on leashes at the trailhead to start. Greet everyone with a loose leash (tight leashes indicate fear to dogs), but watch for negative interactions. Here’s a good article on dogs meeting for the first time.
Once you start going, make sure leashes stay untangled, and if at all possible, have the dogs hiking side by side, which alleviates pressure about pack hierarchy.
Why you should trust us and AUTHOR’S EXPERTISE
It all started when I graduated with a Bachelor’s in English and Outdoor Leadership in the heart of Colorado. (Hello, hiking for credit). Once I graduated, I started the search for the perfect canine companion to accompany me on my outdoor pursuits. I figured I’d find a young mini Aussie or a small Husky, a pup under 50 lbs, who could easily fit in my small truck (and even smaller apartment), and have energy aplenty to run up the trails beside me!
Instead, I found Champ. My fur-baby is an eight-year-old Labrador/Great Dane rescue who joined my life the summer that I moved to Alaska to guide. He is 98 lbs, and takes up ¾ of my truck’s bench seat. His favorite activity is sleeping under my desk, but as soon as the harness comes out, his tail whips like a hurricane in excitement, and it’s all I can do to keep up with him on the trail. We have skied the Alaskan backcountry, jogged loops around Denver ponds, and hiked through the White Mountains of New Hampshire together ever since.
I’ve guided hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, rafting trips for years, managed a hiking and rafting program on the Chilkoot Trail in Southeast Alaska — all with my main man, Champ. We’ve hiked and skied the borders of Alaska, British Columbia, the Yukon, Colorado, Maine, and New Hampshire.
I’ve written about hiking locations and gear for BACKPACKER Magazine for four years. In fact, Champ and I have been able to hike/ski with the Destination Editor’s pooch, Raider, for almost as long. (Champ and Raider are defacto best dog-friends.)
For additional publications and upcoming articles, check out my website. You can see all my articles at Treeline Review on my author page.