Dog Joring: Ski, Sprint + Bond With Your Pup

Photo courtesy of Ruff Wear

Everyone adopted a doodle (or two) during the pandemic — now it’s time to give that adventure pup a purpose and some extra winter fun and exercise. Even better? You can channel all that energy into dog skijoring, a winter sport that’s equal parts fitness, bonding and outdoor adventure. Best of all, once you’re geared up, skijoring is usually free — no tickets or passes required, just you and Rover in the wild.

Skijoring might be the coolest winter sport you’ve never tried — or even heard of — but it’s been around for over a century. A version using horses even appeared as an Olympic demonstration sport in 1928. Nearly a century later, modern skijoring comes with groomed trails, specialized gear and designer-ready dogs who are as stylish as they are strong.

The sport is basically cross-country skiing meets canine-powered adventure. Its name comes from the Norwegian term for “ski driving,” and the premise is simple: a dog (usually 35-plus pounds) harnessed up helps pull you across snowy trails. All you need is a pair of cross-country skis, a proper pulling harness and a four-legged friend who’s ready to run. From there, there are tons of accessories — retractable leads, padded waist belts, booties for dogs — to make the experience even more comfortable and stylish.

Top Colorado Trails for Tail-Wagging Adventures

Ready to get those paws in the powder? Crested Butte, Colorado is more than just a ski town — it’s a snow-loving pup’s paradise. The Crested Butte Nordic Center rolls out the white carpet for dogs, with trails where tails wag as much as skis glide. From in-town romps at Town Ranch, Riverbend Trail and the Rec Path (leashes required here) to the playful sprint of Kapushion Alley (no pass needed, just good manners and cleanup), there are plenty of ways for your four-legged friend to join in the winter fun. For a little extra adventure, snag a dog pass (starting at just $8) and head to pup-approved classics like Pooch’s Paradise, Beaver Trail or the long glide out Mike’s Mile.

If your dog’s nose is leading the way farther afield? Crested Butte is ringed with snowy roads perfect for free-spirited Nordic outings together. Explore the wide-open spaces of Slate River Road, romp along Washington Gulch Road or chase mountain views on Gothic/Schofield Pass Road, Cement Creek Road and Brush Creek Road. These routes may not come with trail passes or groomed corduroy, but they make up for it with endless sniffs, big views and boundless mountain-town dog joy.

Posh pooch, no problem. Bernese Boulevard at the Aspen Golf Course and Labrador Lane at the Snowmass Golf Course have beginner/intermediate trails open to dogs. The Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trail System has more than 60 miles of groomed trails spread across Aspen, Snowmass and Basalt — numerous are perfect for all levels of skijoring.

Grand County, Colorado is also a dream destination for skijoring with the dog. Between the groomed Nordic trails in the mountains, meet-up groups and lessons at places like Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Granby or Winter Park Nordic Center, you can find beginner-friendly options just about anywhere along the Front Range or the high country. Think wide-open powdery trails, crisp mountain air and your pup pulling you across an idyllic winter landscape. It’s dog sledding without the sleigh — just you, Fido and the snow.

Gear Up for Skijoring

If you’re new to the sport, the basic setup for your pooch is pretty simple: you’ll need a pulling harness for your dog, a bungee-style towline and a waist belt to keep your hands free while you ski. Companies like Ruffwear make all three pieces designed specifically for skijoring, so you and your pup stay connected comfortably and safely on the trail.

Originally published in the winter 2025-26 issue of Spoke+Blossom.