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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."

Check out these other great Spots to ski with yourbest buddy.
Tahoe Cross Country Ski Resort
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based on 0 reviews

Tahoe City, CA 96145

Bluefin Bay Resort
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based on 0 reviews

Tofte, MN 55615

Dexter's Inn Trails by Norsk
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based on 0 reviews

Sunapee, NH 03782

Nordic Center at Waterville Valley
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based on 0 reviews

Waterville Valley, NH 03215

Pineridge Cross Country Skiing
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on
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based on 0 reviews

Petersburgh, NY 12138

Ashcroft Cross Country Skiing
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based on 0 reviews

Aspen, CO 81611

The Balsams Wilderness
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on
based on 0 reviews

Dixville Notch, NH 03576

Minocqua Winter Park
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on
based on 0 reviews

Minocqua, WI 54548

Notchview Reservation
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on
based on 0 reviews

Windsor, MA 01270

White Pine Touring
on
on
on
on
on
based on 0 reviews

Park City, UT 84060

Leavenworth Winter Sports Club
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on
on
on
on
based on 0 reviews

Leavenworth, WA 98826

Grand Lake Touring Center
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on
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on
on
based on 0 reviews

Grand Lake, CO 80447

Sun Valley Nordic Center
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on
on
based on 0 reviews

Sun Valley, ID 83353

Rangeley Lakes Trails Center
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on
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on
based on 0 reviews

Rangeley, ME 04970

Bethel Inn Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Center
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based on 0 reviews

Bethel, ME 04217

Enchanted Forest Ski Area
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based on 0 reviews

Red River, NM 87558

Garnet Hill Lodge XC Ski Center
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on
based on 0 reviews

North River, NY 12856

Garnet Hill Lodge XC Ski Center
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on
on
based on 0 reviews

North River, NY 12856

Stillwater Mountain Lodge & Nordic Center
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based on 0 reviews

Whitefish, MT 59937

Stowe Mountain Resort
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based on 0 reviews

Stowe, VT 05672

Flagstaff Nordic Center
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based on 0 reviews

Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Homestake Lodge
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based on 0 reviews

Whitehall, MT 59759

Gold Run Nordic Center
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based on 0 reviews

Breckenridge, CO 80424

Michigan Tech Outdoor Recreation Area
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based on 0 reviews

Houghton, MI 49931

Devil's Thumb Ranch
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based on 0 reviews

Tabernash, CO 80478

Lone Mountain Ranch
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based on 0 reviews

Big Sky, MT 59716

Tahoe Cross Country
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based on 0 reviews

Tahoe City, CA 96145

Oceana Cross Country Ski Association
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based on 0 reviews

Mears, MI 49436

Echo Ridge Nordic Ski Trails (Chelan Ranger District)
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based on 0 reviews

Chelan, WA 98816

Aspen/Snowmass Nordic Trail System
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based on 0 reviews

Aspen, CO 81611

Craftsbury Outdoor Center
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based on 0 reviews

Craftsbury Common, VT 05827

Crested Butte Nordic Center
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based on 0 reviews

Crested Butte, CO 81224

Galena Lodge
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based on 0 reviews

Ketchum, ID 83340

Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center
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based on 0 reviews

Winter Park, CO 80482

Sugarloaf Outdoor Center
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based on 0 reviews

Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947

Tamarack Lodge Resort
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based on 0 reviews

Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

Timberline Ski Resort
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on
based on 0 reviews

Davis, WV 26260

Glacier Outdoor Center
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on
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on
on
based on 0 reviews

West Glacier, MT 59936

Breckenridge Nordic Center
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on
on
on
on
based on 0 reviews

Breckenridge, CO 80424

Bretton Woods Nordic
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on
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on
on
based on 0 reviews

Bretton Woods, NH 03575

Gunstock XC and Snowshoeing Center
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on
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on
on
based on 0 reviews

Gilford, NH 03246

Kirkwood XC Ski Area
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on
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on
based on 0 reviews

Kirkwood, CA 95646

Mountain Top Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Center
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on
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on
on
based on 0 reviews

Chittenden, VT 05737

Rock Creek Lodge
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on
based on 0 reviews

Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

Sunday River XC Ski Center
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on
on
on
on
based on 0 reviews

Newry, ME 04261

White Grass Touring Center
on
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on
on
based on 0 reviews

Davis, WV 26260

Five Fields Farm
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based on 0 reviews

Bridgton, ME 04009

Methow Valley Sport Trails Association
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based on 0 reviews

Winthrop, WA 98862

Memphremagog Ski Touring
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based on 0 reviews

Derby Line, VT 05830

Tamarack Resort Nordic and Snowshoe Center
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on
on
on
on
based on 0 reviews

Donnelly, ID 83615

Tennessee Pass Nordic Center
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based on 0 reviews

Leadville, CO 80461

Jug Mountain Ranch
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on
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on
on
based on 0 reviews

McCall, ID 83638

Swan Mountain Guest Ranch
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on
on
based on 0 reviews

Swan Lake, MT 59911

Blueberry Lake
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on
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on
on
based on 0 reviews

East Warren, VT 05674

49 Degrees North Nordic Center
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on
on
based on 0 reviews

Chewelah, WA 99109

Blain County Recreation District North Valley Trails
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based on 0 reviews

Hailey, ID 83333

Salmon Hills Outdoor Adventure Center
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on
based on 0 reviews

Redfield, NY 13437

Hope Valley Outdoors
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based on 0 reviews

Redfield, NY 13437

Bear Notch Ski Touring Center
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on
based on 0 reviews

Bartlett, NH 03812

Boundary Country Trekking
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based on 0 reviews

Grand Marais, MN 55604

Carter's XC Ski Center
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based on 0 reviews

Bethel, ME 04217

This article is courtesy of Dog’s Life magazine by Beneful® brand Dog Food.

Woman in Red cross-country skiing next to a golden lab.

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