How to Cross Country Ski With Your Dog - Skijoring

Skijoring is a unique partnership between cross country skiers and their dog or dogs. Strap on your cross country skis, place a harness with a eight foot rope on your dog for pulling, and enjoy the winter and snow by Skijoring.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. What Is Skijoring?
   
   Skijoring combines cross-country skiing and dog mushing and means ‘ski-driving’. Skijoring allows owner and dog to exercise together as a team as you glide across the snow. This Scandinavian sport is an activity that is becoming very popular in the U.S.

2. Skijoring Equipment
   
   • You will wear a skijoring belt. This is a wide waistband that is clipped around your waist with a leg loop so the belt stays in place. You could also use a rock climbing harness for a skijoring belt.
   • Your dog will need a sled dog harness. There are many to choose from with several styles commonly used for dogsled racing.
   • The skijoring tow line is typically 8 feet long. Be sure that is reflectorized for visibility. Increase safety by using quick-release hitches or hooks so you can unhook the dog's lead quickly.

3. Skijoring Technique
   
   • The typical leisure skijoring skier uses the classic diagonal stride cross country ski technique.
   • The skis are hot waxed from tip to tail to avoid dragging against the pull of your dog or dog team.
   • There are no reigns so your dog must be taught dog sledding commands to start running (hike), turn (gee and haw), to stop (whoa) and to pass distractions (on by).

4. Your Skijoring Dog
   
   • Always do some activity/exercises with your dog before you begin skijoring and after your dog has finished, to prevent injury to your dog.
   • Virtually any breed of dog, that is at least 30 pounds and loves to run, can learn to skijor. From Poodles to Pointers, if your dog is energetic chances are she'll make a great skijor dog.
   • Check with your vet to determine if skijoring is regarded as a good exercise your breed of dog should have.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your love for cross country skiing to the next level. Skijoring provides an opportunity to speed up your cross country ski pace and spend time with your dog outside during the winter.

Resources

• How to Plan and Design Your Home Bar

[JasneJ]

on 1/26/2009 I had no idea we could cross country ski with our dogs like this. My dog enjoys romping alongside me in the snow.
Thanks.

[walker7]

on 1/25/2009 Sounds like fun...our crazy yellow lab would get a kick out of it. Thanks!

[blondehound]

on 1/25/2009 as a child my brother and i were sledding with our dog. 5*

[kerrylf]

on 1/23/2009 Fun.

[TheGlamSquad]

on 1/23/2009 Man this sounds fun! Great article! 5*****