Ski touring with dogs is currently a big craze in the winter Alps. Pure muscle power replaces the need for a lift, allowing us to enjoy our beloved slopes without having to miss out. With a dog, the whole thing is twice as much fun!
In this article, you'll learn how to introduce your dog to ski touring, get tips on ascending and descending with your furry friend, and discover what makes ski touring with your dog so appealing.
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About the author: Lea Reich
Lea is the founder of Alpenwuff and an expert in dog nutrition. Drawing on her extensive scientific training, the development of several Alpenwuff food varieties, and years of experience working with dogs, she summarizes current topics and shares her knowledge in our Alpenwuff blog.
What is ski touring
Those of you from the flatlands of Tyrol might be wondering what ski touring actually is. So here's a brief explanation: Ski touring is a winter mountain sport in which you first climb a mountain on skis and then ski down. The ascent is made possible with the help of ski skins , which are glued under the skis. This prevents the skis from slipping and ensures a firm grip. Once you reach the top, the skins are removed, and you can descend as you would with normal skiing. Snowboarders take note: With so-called splitboards , the ascent skis can also be combined with a snowboard for the descent. The special appeal of ski touring is that you can either ski up the well-known slopes or explore remote routes through quiet forests and winter landscapes. The latter, in particular, often allows for unique descents through soft powder snow. This appeals to snow-crazy two-legged and four-legged friends alike.
How can I learn ski touring?
As with any new leisure activity, ski touring is the same: you just have to try it out. I would recommend this to every beginner, as the movements for ski touring should be well-established and the technique should be practiced a bit before you set off with your furry friend. This saves you nerves and, above all, a lot of energy on the ascent. Ski touring equipment can be rented from most ski rental shops, just like regular skis. At the beginning, it helps to have an instructor or friend who can show you the basics and explain the equipment. You can find several tours online marked "for beginners." Alternatively, you can also choose a slope as your introduction to ski touring. Starting from Munich, the Roßkopf at Spitzingsee or the Braunegg in Lenggries are ideal entry-level tours for beginners. -> More ski touring suggestions
Ski touring with dog
Once you've gotten a bit of ski touring experience under your belt, it's even more fun to have your furry friend with you. Since Calu simply loves the snow, it quickly became clear that he was the perfect companion for touring.
But the coordination required, especially at the beginning, should not be underestimated. I quickly became aware of this: In the first few meters, Calu first ran onto the front of my skis, then jumped from right to left, and faster than I could count to three, a huge mess of leash, ski poles, skis, and gloves had developed. So make sure you're well organized before you set off and can keep your dog to your side . If your dog is used to running in front of you on a long leash, this should work well. It's best to practice the movements first in a quiet area, such as a forest path or a towpath, with another person who can support you in an emergency. It's important that your dog is in good physical shape . Depending on the snow conditions and the tour you choose, it will have to put in a lot of muscle work to work its way through the snow. So make sure your dog is healthy enough for a ski tour. It's best to start with a short tour to get used to it. What should I bring for my four-legged friend on the mountain? In addition to your gear, you should also pack a few things for your four-legged friend when ski touring.
🐶 We recommend that you always put a harness on your dog when on the mountain so that he is easier to grasp in an emergency and there is no risk of the collar getting caught on branches or rocks and possibly strangling him.
🐶 We've already mentioned that a ski tour is a sporting challenge for your dog, too. So, remember to bring a collapsible bowl, water, and some food when you head up the mountain. This way, once you reach the top, you can enjoy a snack together with a great view.
🐶 Finally, we recommend having both a long and a short leash with you, especially on longer tours. This gives you flexibility and allows you to react well to different situations. But do you even need a leash?
Leash for ski touring?
A real online debate has erupted on this issue. One group is clearly in favor of mandatory leash dogs out of consideration for other, dog-free ski tourers and the wildlife sanctuaries, which are especially important in winter.
On the other hand, your furry friend can, of course, find their own ascent rhythm much better if they don't have to walk beside you on a leash and are forced to adapt to your needs. Calu, for example, loves to run ahead a bit, roll around in the snow, and then wait for me further ahead. Therefore, we believe that this question, just as with walking, should be answered dog-specifically.
If your furry friend listens well enough to respond to your call at any time, stays with you and does not wander off into designated animal sanctuaries or towards other ski tourers, we think it is perfectly acceptable for your pet to run around the mountain without a leash.
⚠️ However, if you are unsure whether your dog will really react or if there are clear signs indicating that dogs must be kept on a leash due to wild animals or snow groomers, we recommend putting the leash on again on the mountain!
Tips for driving with a dog
Finally, a few thoughts on skiing with a dog. Even though you might initially think the adventure ends with the ascent, the descent also requires a great deal of concentration. Skiing isn't easy, especially with four-legged friends, and it's important to practice thoroughly before a long tour so your pet doesn't get "under the skis." Your furry friend must learn that they can't chase the swirling snow or run too close to you, as there's a risk of cuts from the ski edges. So far, I've observed three different techniques for skiing with a dog on the mountain:
When skiing, you should always keep an eye on what kind of snow your four-legged friend is walking on and make sure that he doesn't get his paws sore in bad conditions, such as icy ones!
#1 Sit and wait and call back : One option is to put your four-legged friend down and let him wait while you make a few turns. After a few meters, stop and call the dog to you. If you're with several people, one person can stay with the dog, allowing your pet to fly from person to person down the mountain. In the photo before the summit, we practiced this with Calu.
#2: Long, long switchbacks: At the beginning, I practiced descending with Calu by riding very long switchbacks and stopping before every turn. Calu walked beside me on the uphill side the entire time. This way, I could ensure that the pace didn't get too fast and that Calu always stayed close to me. This technique also works very well on a short leash. I use it especially for descents on piste ski tours or when it's busy!
#3 Shuttle service : The last option is the shuttle service down in a backpack or dog carrier. Smaller four-legged friends in particular also like to be transported in a backpack. For larger dogs, there are special dog facilities for skiing down the mountain. We've only seen this with other people so far; at 30 kg, Calu is too heavy. On the other hand, he loves the slopes so much that I don't think he would like it if he couldn't walk himself. Overall, you should be careful not to go too fast when skiing down. While the athletic effort on the way up was very similar for you and your four-legged friend, the descent on skis is much easier for you than for your furry friend.
Conclusion: Ski touring with dogs is the solution for ski-loving dog lovers
For Calu and me, it's clear: ski touring is our thing. The big appeal, I think, is that Calu no longer has to wait at home alone while the family enjoys skiing. Now he can join in too and enjoy the fantastic views, powder snow, and sunshine on long tours.
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