Want to take your four-legged friend skiing the right way?
Skijoring (pronounced “ski-jawr-ing”) is a growing, dog-powered sport that involves one dog or a team of dogs pulling a human on cross-country skis. The sport originates from dog mushing, where a team of dogs pull a musher on a sled. Skijoring began in Scandinavia as a means to get from one point to another without the need for a sled. A popular sport in Europe, skijoring is continuing to catch on around the world, including in the Pacific Northwest.
But you don’t need to be a racer to get started skijoring. Here’s what you should know to get into this winter sport with your pup.
Get up to speed
First things first: Skijoring speeds can reach 30 mph, so it’s important that the human feel comfortable on skis beforehand.
Skijoring instructors recommend Nordic ski lessons before trying this niche sport, and several hours practice skiing over varying terrain on cross-country skis. This will help skiers maintain control at higher speeds, and keep both the dog and human safe.
“In my experience teaching clinics, many skiers are very beginner,” said Karen Behm, a skijoring advocate and member of the Northwest Sled Dog Association. “And that is not a good time to tether a dog to you who wants to run and usually is not adept at commands.”
Once you feel comfortable enough on skinny skis to add a dog to the equation, the best way to learn the ropes is by attending a skijoring clinic. In Eastern Washington, Spokane Nordic Ski Association (spokanenordic.org/skijoring) runs a clinic at Mount Spokane State Park, while closer to home, NWSDA hosts another at Crystal Springs Sno-Park off Interstate 90 in Easton (nwsda.org/skijor-clinic).
Participants learn about the different types and proper fit of skijoring equipment, and can receive training advice and assistance once strapped into the skis.
“Another advantage to attending a clinic is the gathering of dogs,” said Kate Burns, skijoring coordinator for Spokane Nordic Ski Association. “Most dogs thrive either running beside or running behind one another — think along the lines of a game of chase — so when you have multiple dogs out on the trail together, they tend to naturally run because they enjoy the competitive nature of being in a group.”
If a clinic piques interest, folks can join NWSDA to learn more, practice and meet other skijoring enthusiasts in the Greater Seattle area.
Gear up
Skijoring with your dog doesn’t require much additional equipment beyond standard Nordic skiing, but specific harnesses and leashes should be worn for optimal performance and comfort. Non-stop Dogwear, Ruffwear and Howling Dog Alaska are brands that sell appropriate skijoring gear.
Here’s the rundown:
- Skijoring-specific dog harness and belt for the human.
- Dog bootees or paw balm, like Musher’s Secret, to prevent chapping and bleeding or painful snowballs in between the paws.
- An 8- to 10-foot bungee tug line that attaches to your skijoring belt.
- Nordic skis (without metal edges) and poles.
- A fanny pack for water, poop bags and other essentials.
Where to go skijoring
Methow Valley
One of the largest Nordic ski network in North America, the Methow Trails system welcomes dogs on 40 kilometers of selected trails. Methow Trails has a dog pass program that costs $10 per day or $50 for annual use. Dogs must wear their pass at all times when using the trails.
Crystal Springs Sno-Park
Crystal Springs is the only park in Washington with a dedicated sled dog trail system, which consists of old logging roads, a portion of the Palouse to Cascades Trail and utility corridors. Dogs must be on leash and harness at all times.
Mount Spokane State Park
Skijoring is allowed only on specific trails in the park Sunday through Thursday after noon and all day on Wednesdays on Linder Ridge, Mica, Lower Tripps and Upper Tripps trails. Dogs must be harnessed and attached to the human at all times. Dogs on collars are not allowed.
Breed breakdown
Any breed can skijor, but the recommended minimum weight is 30 pounds. For those who want to try skijoring with dogs that weigh less than 30 pounds, the human must put in more effort.
“It’s important to remember that the skier and the dog are a team who work together in unison,” said Burns. “The dog isn’t pulling 100% of a person’s weight, rather the human uses their momentum skiing forward together with the dog, who is propelling themself forward. It’s a joint effort by both dog and human.”
Some of the most common breeds seen at clinics include hunting dogs, like German Shorthaired Pointers, Vizslas and Labs; herding dogs like Australian Shepherds and Border Collies; and Northern Breeds such as Huskies, Malamutes and Samoyeds.
The most competitive racing breeds tend to be what are known as Eurohounds and Greysters, a mix of GSP, Greyhound, English Pointer and Alaskan Husky, and GSP/Greyhound mixes, respectively.
“Rarely have I seen a dog that has not liked to run, so skijoring is a perfect sport for you and your canine pal,” said Mikki Douglass, an NWSDA member and skijorer of 15 years. “I have seen all breeds out on the trail, from Siberian Huskies, Labradors, hound dogs, to small lap dogs and everything in between.”
A number of races are held annually throughout the Northwest, though none are scheduled in Washington this winter. Oregon hosts several skijoring races, including one at Mount Hood and in Bend. Those looking to compete can check out the Sled Dog Central race schedule.
Training at home
Skijoring borrows commands used in mushing. As you investigate the sport, these commands should be taught to the dog before hitting the ski trails. Start at home in a low-distraction environment, progressively increasing distractions as your dog starts to understand the command.
Here are some common skijoring commands:
- “Wait”: Stop and wait until the release cue is given, usually “OK” or “yes.”
- “On-by”: Essentially the same as “leave it,” “on-by” means keep going past distractions like other dogs, smells or wildlife.
- “Gee”/”Haw”: These commands indicate to a dog whether to turn right (gee) or left (haw).
- “Gee-over”/”Haw-over”: Adding “over” tells your dog to move over to the right or left.
“Practice on every single leash walk and hike you take them on,” said Behm. “With my Siberians, they were in constant training. Everywhere.”
Skijoring etiquette
When you hit the ski trails with your dog, keep in mind some basic rules of etiquette.
- Always pick up your dog’s poop and carry it with you to dispose.
- Dogs should always be leashed on a harness and connected to your waist belt.
- Announce your arrival as you approach other users, letting them know that you have a dog.
- Do not allow your dog on the ski tracks if you are classic skiing.
Skijoring offers a fun and engaging way to enjoy winter sports with your dog. If muddy trails and hiking in the rain don’t sound appealing, skijoring may be the ticket to getting outdoors throughout the gray days.
“[Skijoring is] considered a ‘dog-powered sport,’ but really, the human and dog are working together in harmony,” said Burns. “The bond you develop with your dog, when training for and eventually participating in an event, brings the human/dog relationship to an entirely different level.”