Adventure dogs
Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing with a dog
A dog on a winter trail is a joy right up until it posts through the classic track, bolts after a skier, or sits down with ice balls between its toes. The two sports ask different things. Snowshoeing is a walk with bigger feet. Skiing is a moving heel beside two long, sharp edges. Here is how we prepare a dog for both, and where the rules say you can go.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026
Track manners
Stay out of the set track and off the skier's tails.
Groomed ski trails are mostly closed to dogs, and where a trail is open the etiquette is simple: keep paws out of the two parallel classic grooves. A dog posting through a set track ruins it for everyone behind you. Teach a heel on the side you want before the snow flies, then transfer it to snowshoes on a packed path. On skis we ask for the same position, tight to one side, so poles and tails never cross the dog's line.
The dog that chases the skier is a management problem first. A skier gliding past looks like prey in motion, so the dog never gets to rehearse it. Leash on, step well off the trail, and ask for a sit or down with a marker and food while the skier passes. Recall in deep snow is slower than on grass; the dog has to porpoise toward you, so reward the effort generously and call early, before the gap opens.
- Heel on one side only
- Paws out of the classic track
- Down while skiers pass
- Call before the gap opens
Where and how
Where dogs can go in Kananaskis, and what to pack.
Alberta Parks sets the rules in Kananaskis. Its regulations page lists leashing as the rule for dogs and, in winter, keeps dogs off groomed ski trails in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park. Across provincial parks, wildland parks and recreation areas, pets are leashed on no more than 2 metres and are not permitted on most groomed ski trails unless designated. Inside Calgary the City's own rules apply, not Alberta Parks', so check them before you go.
Gear that earns its place: booties or a paw balm for salt and ice balls, a coat for short-coated or lean dogs, a well-fitted harness, and a towel in the car. Trim the fur between the pads so snow packs less. Build cold tolerance gradually: short outings first, longer ones as the dog shows it stays loose and happy. Lifted paws, shivering or slowing down mean the outing is over, and many dogs hide discomfort until they are quite cold.
Asked and answered
The questions people ask us.
Can you go cross country skiing with a dog?
Yes, on trails where dogs are permitted, which rules out most groomed ski trails. In Kananaskis, dogs must be leashed and are not permitted on the groomed trails at Peter Lougheed Provincial Park or Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park in winter. Look for ungroomed or designated dog-friendly routes and keep the dog in a tight heel on one side.
How do you train a dog for snowshoeing?
Start with a reliable heel and recall on a plain winter walk, then add the snowshoes on a packed path so the dog learns to give the wide, flapping feet room. Keep early outings short while paws and stamina adjust. The main skills are staying out from under your feet and coming back through deep snow.
Is skijoring a good place for a beginner dog to start?
Not usually. Skijoring asks a dog to pull on cue, which is the opposite of the loose leash most pet dogs are still learning, and it needs a confident skier. Build a calm heel beside skis first; our separate skijoring guide covers the pulling cues once that foundation is solid.
How cold is too cold for a dog on a winter trail?
There is no single number, because coat, size, body condition and wind all matter. Watch the dog rather than the thermometer: lifted paws, shivering, slowing down or looking for shelter mean it is time to turn back. If a dog seems unwell after a cold outing, call your vet.
Keep reading
Trail manners for winter
Want a heel that holds beside skis and a recall that works in deep snow? Book a consultation and we will map it out.
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