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Ski With Your Dog!

Hit the slopes with your best friend

By Paula Felps

A couple of times a week, Heather Segale makes a detour on her way to work. Segale rises early so that she and her black Labrador Retriever, Kenya, can head to the Tahoe Cross Country Ski Resort for some cross-country skiing, an invigorating start to the day.

"Going out on the ski trails is a great way to play," Segale says. She has enjoyed cross-country skiing with a canine counterpart for more than 15 years, and she tries to get in one or two days on the weekends as well as two mornings a week. "It's just the best way to start the day," she says. "You get out, get some fresh air and we both have a lot of fun."

Ski resorts now open to dogs too

Although dogs have hit the trails with their owners for many years, it has become increasingly popular over the past decade as resorts across the nation become more dog friendly.

Kevin Murnane, general manager of Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area in Lake Tahoe, Calif., says that although as much as 50 percent of his business comes from locals, there's a growing trend for people to travel longer distances with their dogs to share a vacation at a ski resort.

Murnane admits he's been surprised by the variety of sizes and breeds the trails attract––everything from Chihuahuas and poodles in sweaters to Great Danes and Golden Retrievers. When it comes to skiing, it appears, there are no limits as to who can enjoy it.

Dozens of trails for those with tails

Chris Frado, executive director and president of the Cross Country Ski Areas Association, says it has become so popular that ski resorts across the country now designate certain trails specifically for use with dogs.

"People are used to taking their dogs with them and letting them share their experiences. Skiing together is just one more way to do that." Frado also suggests calling ahead to learn more about a resort's dog policy (some require updated vaccination records) and learn what kind of conditions to expect.

Presently, about 70 of the 200-plus Cross Country Ski Areas Association member resorts offer designated dog trails. "Many places even sell trail passes for the dogs, and they make a season pass with the dog's photo––just like ski resorts do for people," Frado says.

And like Murnane says, "Once they get out here together, everyone just has a great time."

  1. Tahoe Cross Country Ski Resort
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    Tahoe City, CA 96145

  2. Bluefin Bay Resort
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    Tofte, MN 55615

  3. Dexter's Inn Trails by Norsk
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    Sunapee, NH 03782

  4. Nordic Center at Waterville Valley
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    Waterville Valley, NH 03215

  5. Pineridge Cross Country Skiing
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    Petersburgh, NY 12138

  6. Ashcroft Cross Country Skiing
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    Aspen, CO 81611

  7. The Balsams Wilderness
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    Dixville Notch, NH 03576

  8. Minocqua Winter Park
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    Minocqua, WI 54548

  9. Notchview Reservation
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    Windsor, MA 01270

  10. White Pine Touring
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    Park City, UT 84060

  11. Leavenworth Winter Sports Club
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    Leavenworth, WA 98826

  12. Grand Lake Touring Center
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    Grand Lake, CO 80447

  13. Sun Valley Nordic Center
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    Sun Valley, ID 83353

  14. Rangeley Lakes Trails Center
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    Rangeley, ME 04970

  15. Bethel Inn Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Center
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    Bethel, ME 04217

  16. Enchanted Forest Ski Area
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    Red River, NM 87558

  17. Garnet Hill Lodge XC Ski Center
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    North River, NY 12856

  18. Jackson Ski Touring Foundation
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    Jackson, NH 03846

  19. Stillwater Mountain Lodge & Nordic Center
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    Whitefish, MT 59937

  20. Stowe Mountain Resort
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    Stowe, VT 05672

  21. Flagstaff Nordic Center
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    Flagstaff, AZ 86001

  22. Homestake Lodge
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    Whitehall, MT 59759

  23. Gold Run Nordic Center
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    Breckenridge, CO 80424

  24. Michigan Tech Outdoor Recreation Area
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    Houghton, MI 49931

  25. Devil's Thumb Ranch
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    Tabernash, CO 80478

  26. Lone Mountain Ranch
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    Big Sky, MT 59716

  27. Tahoe Cross Country
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    Tahoe City, CA 96145

  28. Oceana Cross Country Ski Association
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    Mears, MI 49436

  29. Echo Ridge Nordic Ski Trails (Chelan Ranger District)
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    Chelan, WA 98816

  30. Aspen/Snowmass Nordic Trail System
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    Aspen, CO 81611

  31. Craftsbury Outdoor Center
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    Craftsbury Common, VT 05827

  32. Crested Butte Nordic Center
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    Crested Butte, CO 81224

  33. Galena Lodge
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    Ketchum, ID 83340

  34. Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center
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    Winter Park, CO 80482

  35. Sugarloaf Outdoor Center
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    Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947

  36. Tamarack Lodge Resort
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    Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

  37. Timberline Ski Resort
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    Davis, WV 26260

  38. Glacier Outdoor Center
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    West Glacier, MT 59936

  39. Breckenridge Nordic Center
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    Breckenridge, CO 80424

  40. Bretton Woods Nordic
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    Bretton Woods, NH 03575

  41. Gunstock XC and Snowshoeing Center
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    Gilford, NH 03246

  42. Kirkwood XC Ski Area
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    Kirkwood, CA 95646

  43. Mountain Top Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Center
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    Chittenden, VT 05737

  44. Rock Creek Lodge
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    Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

  45. Sunday River XC Ski Center
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    Newry, ME 04261

  46. White Grass Touring Center
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    Davis, WV 26260

  47. Five Fields Farm
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    Bridgton, ME 04009

  48. Methow Valley Sport Trails Association
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    Winthrop, WA 98862

  49. Memphremagog Ski Touring
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    Derby Line, VT 05830

  50. Tamarack Resort Nordic and Snowshoe Center
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    Donnelly, ID 83615

  51. Tennessee Pass Nordic Center
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    Leadville, CO 80461

  52. Jug Mountain Ranch
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    McCall, ID 83638

  53. Swan Mountain Guest Ranch
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    Swan Lake, MT 59911

  54. Blueberry Lake
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    East Warren, VT 05674

  55. 49 Degrees North Nordic Center
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    Chewelah, WA 99109

  56. Blain County Recreation District North Valley Trails
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    Hailey, ID 83333

  57. Salmon Hills Outdoor Adventure Center
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    Redfield, NY 13437

  58. Hope Valley Outdoors
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    Redfield, NY 13437

  59. Bear Notch Ski Touring Center
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    Bartlett, NH 03812

  60. Boundary Country Trekking
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    Grand Marais, MN 55604

  61. Carter's XC Ski Center
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    Bethel, ME 04217

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