Originating in Scandinavia, and literally meaning “ski-driving,” skijoring combines cross-country skiing with dog mushing. As a seasoned veteran of the sport, my involvement has evolved from casual to slightly obsessed. Getting into the sport is easy, with a little knowledge and the right gear you and your canine companion can be off on the trail in no time.

For starters, skis are in order. Since it is rare that you will find yourself on perfectly groomed trails (most nordic ski areas frown on dogs that ruin their perfectly smooth snow with their paws) and lets not forget the dog pulling in front of you, the greater control provided by back-country skis is highly recommended. Go for slightly shorter, wider skis with metal edges, I am a huge fan of Karhus. Unless you have ankles of steel, buy a sturdier boot than a typical cross country ski bootie. Even the most experienced skijorer inevitably has a wreck and more often than not your skis tweak your ankles in weird ways.

Good skis are just the start. Good skijor gear is key.

Don’t skimp, buy the right gear. I spent my first years skijoring by attaching long leashes to a leather belt around my waist and using garden variety walking harnesses found at any pet supply store for the dogs. This worked and was cheap, but was a less than satisfactory set up. For starters, the belt and leashes didn’t absorb any shock, leaving that for my body to take on, which wreaks havoc on muscle groups you never knew existed. To boot, the cheap harnesses dug into both of the dogs in spots, chaffing so badly it left wounds and would end our adventures while these healed and limited our time out to prevent them from recurring. I won’t even go into the mayhem that ensues when two dogs on long leads wander off in different directions while you are flying down a tree-lined hill. It is just too ugly.

There is no home-made comparison to good skijor gear.

A good harness is fleece lined, padded, and distributes the pulling weight such that it doesn’t fall on just one area of your dog’s body, preventing extra wear on the skin and the muscles. For me, a padded belt with a bungee extension the leash attaches to was heavev, and especially so with a bungee leash– my body is much happier after an outing. And leash, that is, singular, if you have two dogs, like me, buy one that has a short double-dog split on the end, keeping your team together and preventing mayhem.

The wonderful folks at skijor Now are incredibly helpful and will put together a great beginner set up for you. Granted, their website is a little less than informative and lacks the photos internet shoppers long for, but these folks know the sport well, are incredibly friendly and with a simple phone call can get you and your dogs set up perfectly. With a little information, they were able to set up harnesses for the dogs and a belt for me that fit perfectly.

There is one exception to their set up, which across the board is a struggle to find, and that is dog booties. Frankly, my dogs have never had foot pad issues even after hours of skiing and in subzero temps, but others may not be so lucky. If you have a tender foot, check out Canada’s leading sled dog supply site to find a hardier bootie. Keep in mind, most dogs don’t get the bootie concept at first. Mine high step and kick or try to bite them off. Try putting them on just prior to hitting the trail, so your dog will be too hyped-up in the moment to worry about what is on his feet.

Before you get going check in on your skiing skills first. Make sure you can negotiate hills and turns well, can slow down and stop with ease before adding dogs. Once you are confident in your skills add your dog, but keep in mind as in any athletic pursuit get going slowly to prevent injury and burnout. Training should be positive, and encourage what your canine partner is doing right. While there are a variable number of training programs for strength and endurance, working with “gee” (turn right) and “haw” (turn left) commands, using well-defined trails that only go in the direction you wish the dog to go, is an important foundation to establish. Also, use this time to acquaint yourself and your dog with what it’s like to be hooked together, because unlike many of the other activities we do with dogs, you and your dog work together as a team.

Once voice commands have been learned and comfort as a canine-human team is established, training can increase, but try and keep a varied pace, do a fast pace workout, following it with a slow fun run or do a long distance run followed by shorter and faster outings. Vary training areas as well to reinforce voice commands since dogs often tire of the same trail and come to know and anticipate turns. If you use the same trail, start in the middle, run it backwards, or stop in a different spot every time you are out and reverse. Whatever area you have available to train with, once your dog anticipates the turn and she “haws,” for instance, without your giving the voice command, it is time to change the route. Plus, taking a different route keeps training more mentally stimulating for both you and your dog.

Finally, learn how to bail. If you come screaming around a corner and spook an elk herd that begins charging down the trail and your dogs are like mine, your team will be flying off in hot pursuit with you attached. Be prepared to use the human break. You can ride that speed train for only so long before the trail becomes unmanageable at mock ten. Fall for safety, but fall strategically. I have mastered dropping my poles first, falling to my left, bending my knees sideways skis up and rolling over on my back for the foot or so of dragging that inevitably ensues. Try a few options out, see what works for you. Be prepared, its much better than trying to figure out how to arise unscathed in the midst of chaos.

Perhaps most importantly, enjoy.

Kathryn is a Missoula-based writer, editor and recovering field biology underling-- i.e., she did all the dirty work in the worst conditions. Call her a tree-hugger and she'll kick you in the shins. When she is not writing, she's out on the trails running her dogs. Good luck trying to keep up with her.
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