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Ski Areas Throw Dogs A Bone

By J.D. O'Connor
December 11, 2006

Dogs have become a go-everywhere part of the family. Vacationing en famille no longer means just packing along the kids, but also the pooch. Increasingly, mountain resorts and hotels are addressing the dog wants and needs of an outdoor-loving clientele, and, in the process, are innovatively chiseling away at policies of conventional tourism.

Dogs can be an added source of income in a tightly competitive tourism market. With more resort venues welcoming dogs, dog owners bring dollars to winter vacations that otherwise would have gone to a boarding facility back home. Or worse, some families might not come at all if they can't bring the dog.

With a little marketing outreach, man's best friend - once banished to the kennel - is no longer being left behind. Each season, more nordic centers are designating a portion of their trail system for skiers with dogs. A Cross Country Ski Areas Association survey reported a 29 percent increase in dog trails at Nordic centers across America.

"It's a growing trend that has definite advantages," says Chris Frado, President of the Cross Country Ski Areas Association, headquartered in Winchester, N.H.. "Nordic resorts are attracting a new group of customers, primarily the backcountry enthusiast who for years has loved taking his dog along for a ski but has shied away from commercial areas. Overall, it has helped add a growth to the sport."

According to the Cross Country Ski Areas Association, over 50 Nordic areas in twenty states, including such popular destination resorts of Aspen, Lake Tahoe, and Sun Valley, welcome dogs to their trails.

"I believe many other resorts would allow dogs if they were not compromised by private land ownership demands or county regulations," adds Frado. "People should realize that not every Nordic center can make it available."

"We began the North Valley Trail System ten years ago and decided then to allow skiing with dogs on over 30K," says Mary Austin Crofts, executive director of the Blaine County Recreation District in Hailey, Idaho. " I believe we were one of the first in the country to allow such extensive use of groomed ski trails by dogs. From the beginning it has been wildly popular. It has grown to where approximately 50 percent of our skiers do ski with their dogs."

The Idaho resort area now offers over 45 miles of groomed ski trails for dogs to pad over within the neighboring Galena Lodge/North Valley/Wood River trails systems. Season pass for a single adult is $70 if purchased before Dec. 1. A doggie pass is $15. The resort sold 3,725 passes this past season, 931 dog passes and recorded over 80,000 skier days.

"It took us several years to get people used to the idea," says Shelly Preston, trails and special projects coordinator for the Blaine County Recreation District. "But we never lost business. We originally did not charge for dogs to be on the trail, but soon realized that their impact required extra grooming, patrol clean up, signage, and a system for distributing bags to encourage people to clean up after their pets."

Even the most animal-friendly resort operators recognize the challenges in allowing dogs on their property. Dogs can punch holes in the snow with their paws, chopping up groomed skate and stride surfaces. One animal bite or barking dog can affront some people into taking you to court. Dogs interfering with another skier trying to pass, dogs that do not slow down in congested areas, fighting, female dogs in heat are other risks.

Then there is the obvious problem of waste on the trail.

"The only problem we've encountered is educating people to clean up after their dog," says Valli Murnane who, with her husband Kevin manages the Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area in Tahoe City, California. As a solution, the Nordic center provides poop-scoop bags with each purchase of a $3 dog day pass.

"Brown klister is a problem. Our patrol spends about 25 percent of their time cleaning up dog waste," says Preston. "We've installed 'Pet Pick Ups' stands at each trailhead and their use is increasing. We still get many full bags that are left at the trailhead - but are working on educating the trail users, one at a time, to either pack it out or flick it off the trail."

In an effort to protect track, many Nordic centers bar animals on days when weather conditions make the snow easily damaged from playful dogs. Others, such as Royal Gorge atop Donner Summit, Calif., only open a portion of their trail system to dogs and their owners on weekend afternoons.

To leash or not to leash: Tahoe Cross Country is one of the few resorts in the Tahoe area that allows unleashed dogs on its trails, although owners must carry a leash and be prepared to use it. Many county leash laws apply on many trail systems. North Valley encourages dogs to be leashed at trailheads and when near roadways, but do not encourage dogs on leashes when skiing.

"Most of the dog problems we see stem from too many dogs meeting up on the trail and causing a blockade. Dogs on leashes tend to be more aggressive (or fearful), and I don't care what any dog expert says about this: most of the dog fights I've seen involve a dog on a leash," says Preston.

Others disagree.

"There is just too much potential for conflict," says one Tahoe operator who doesn't want to be identified. "If one child is bit our insurance goes through the roof. Dogs and skiers aren't a safe mix."

Not surprisingly, ski joring, the Norwegian sport in which a skier is hitched to a dog that pulls him over the snow, has gained popularity in the past few years.

"Ski joring is really the best way to ski with a dog, especially at cross country resort," says Debbie McMaster. "The dog steers clear of other dogs and skiers, there are no aggression problems, and dogs won't chase wildlife."

McMaster gives lessons by appointment at Tahoe Cross Country. She also sells ski joring equipment. For an initial investment of $100 the owner can purchase necessary equipment: a dog harness, belt and ski joring line with inner bungee cord to prevent sudden jerks.

"Typically, the dog should be 35 pounds and up," says McMaster. "It's great to have a dog who naturally likes to pull, but even if the dog doesn't pull, she'll learn to go in front and in line."

Many lodging operators who once eschewed four-legged companions now pursue customers' canines and are being delighted in the results.

"Dog owners make for better guests. They are typically conscientious and respectful of the surroundings," explains Amanda Friedrichsen, former owner of Alpine Meadows' Three Buck Inn near Lake Tahoe. "Our policy was that all dogs were welcome when accompanied by responsible humans."

A variety of dog-loving lodgings are increasing around Lake Tahoe, even welcoming four-legged guests with dog bed, water bowl, feed bowl, treats, toys, furniture sheet, and even "doggie" videos.

Customer demand for their dog hasn't gone unnoticed by larger properties at mountain resorts. For only $10 per day behemoth casino Harrah¹s Tahoe provides five heated kennels on-site. Owners must feed and care for the pet and reservations must be made beforehand.

"Overall, welcoming dogs to the resort has been a huge success. We have many visitors who come to Lake Tahoe specifically because of dog access. Dogs and people can safely share trails without conflict. It's just up to owners and operators to use a little common sense. It makes a lot of sense to offer what customers want," says Tahoe Cross Country's Murnane.

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Comments

	Great story!! I've been looking for a place to ski with my Bernese, Fridja, for years!! She'd love a chance to get out there with us but there is this inherent bias against dogs these days, especially big ones. Thanks for writing about this...
	Posted by: Kirk Youngman | December 13, 2006 11:54 AM