snowboarding with a dog

Hello Wouafer's! I know that you practice or already know very well most dog-friendly sports activities such as canicross, canivtt or canpaddle. But when the snow arrives, some winter sports may seem more difficult to adapt. When I thought of snowboarding, for example, I had a hard time imagining a husky or a Bichon go down the slopes while balancing on a board. And yet... 

So I interviewed two Wouafer's snowboarding enthusiasts who were delighted to share their experiences with you and give you some advice on how to start snowboarding with your dog. 

Our first duo is Célia and Charlie: our super Dog-Reporter and her adorable bull terrier that you are already beginning to know well. For those who do not know them yet, I let you discover their Portrait Wow Good.

Then I interviewed Claude who lives in the Gard with his dog Naya. Together, they have tried almost every sport. Inevitably, they should not miss the snowboard.

I now leave the floor to the Wouafer's who were interviewed.

Celia:

I've always dreamed of going downhill in powder with my dog ​​running behind or beside me! But hey, I have a stocky little dog, not a husky, so to start we stayed on the track. This year 2021 where the resorts are closed due to COVID-19, it really is the perfect time to start in almost any resort: the slopes are groomed, but there is no one, so possibility to do some with his carefree dog. And snowboarding with your dog is really easy, all you need is a snowboard and your dog, the rest is done by itself!

Claudius:

A regular skier, I started snowboarding in the 80s and since then I have never put my skis back on. I most often combine snowboarding with snowshoes to get out of groomed slopes. Naya discovered this this winter for the first time and she loved running in the snow behind me cutting my turns. It must be said that she particularly loves the snow.

Celia:

Those who are used to snowboarding or ski touring solo will be able to skip this part. But here is a small checklist of the equipment to use for snowboarding with your dog if you want to embark on the adventure and are new to this activity. You'll need :

• Your snowboard of course and snowshoes to get to the top of the slopes

• A carrying bag for your snowboard on the way up and which will contain your snowshoes on the way down

• Either a cani-cross set for you and the dog consisting of a harness, a leave alone and a belt for you of course, either leave alone and harness

Regarding the bag you will need to provide:

• A belt and water – to hydrate your companion once at the top

• Some treats

• Un coat or an doudoune for your dog because if he has short hair he can be cold at the top of the slopes, time for a break or to change equipment

• boots for sensitive pads

• A first aid kit for your dog

My advice is also to plan a transport bag to transport the dog if he gets hurt or dog hoist harness. You should always remember that, wherever you are, you should be able to provide assistance to your dog in case of problems.

Claude mainly uses the same equipment as Célia even if, Naya, thanks to her blood of Samoyed, already bears the cold well.

Musher and Sophie: “Like Célia with Charlie to prepare the pads of Musher for the snow, we do cures with Solipat tanning lotion for 2 months before winter.”

A quick break from your reading: if you're like me and always afraid your dog will escape when you're out walking, a GPS for dogs will change your life.  You will be able to locate it anywhere in real time!  I tested several models with Musher: discover our GPS comparison here. Aside ended: return to the article

Celia:

From my point of view, it is essential to know how to snowboard alone before starting with your dog. It's the same in skiing. You need a correct level in order to be able to fully concentrate on the dog, especially at the beginning when he is not yet used to it. The first runs, it's 90% concentration on the dog and only 10% on the track.

Claudius:

For us, it was for Naya to become familiar with the snow. After a few outings cani-racket, we choose a beautiful day to climb several hours on the slope, snowshoes on my feet and a board on my back, until we find a place to put on shoes. We can then descend unmarked coombs or join uncrowded tracks.

Celia: 

First, there are different techniques for climbing. The ski lifts being stopped because of the Covid-19, you have to take your courage in both hands and go snowshoeing with the snowboard in your back! For my part, I decided to go snowshoeing and let Charlie free, she stays close and comes back well on abseiling. My friends, who have bigger dogs, huskies, snowshoe by being semi-tracted by their dogs via cani-cross type sets.

Claudius:

The third technique is ours. Naya is in longe, no traction, just for control. She tends to play specialized sports coach and sprint with all the furry animals you can come across. So out of respect for wildlife, I prefer to curb his penchant for pursuit. I use a cani-MTB lanyard with elastic. 

For the descent, Naya is free but always stays behind me. I chain a series of turns while glancing at her and depending on the terrain, I wait for her. Well, I admit that she's more in all schuss mode than making nice turns like me. I go down in sections of 4 or 5 in the powder or I chain a little more on hard snow depending on the difficulty it has to follow.

Celia: 

I have other techniques! But to start and get the dog used to it, I advise you to tie it up!

The first technique is simply with a leave alone rather long about 4/5 m. You will need both hands to manage the length. Arms outstretched, this technique also allows the dog to move away from the board at the beginning if he gets too close. This is the technique I use personally, I let Charlie run full ball ahead and I have the leash to manage the distance with her. As a result, the dog does not really tow but accompanies you more.

Another technique is that of traction with a cani-cross type set: the dog will tow you with its harness and you will only have to manage your speed to stay well behind it. This set also allows you to have your hands freer. 

Like Claude, I advise during the descent to take regular breaks! Whether it's Charlie my bull, our friends the huskys or our friend the cocker, they cannot necessarily withstand a direct total descent. Stop, hug him and admire the scenery. Start with small descents by simply walking up one end of the track. And really: anything is possible! I personally know a Beauceron, Huskys, a cocker spaniel and my bull terrier Charlie who already practice this sport. The dog must be in good physical shape, however, because in addition to providing a large amount of energy, he must fight against the cold.

Claudius:

Naya discovered snowboarding last December during a stay in the Devoluy. We have a base camp in the Joue du Loup resort and I find it to be a very dog-friendly resort. We meet a lot of people with doggies, especially on the snowshoe trails.

Celia:

For my part, I do not yet know the dog-friendly resorts. This winter of 2021 is very special for the resorts as the ski lifts are at a standstill. So I have the impression that the resorts are therefore rather lenient on practices with dogs! We did a lot of descents together and we came across club teams training in slalom, snowmobiles, trackers-rescuers… without ever having any worries or remarks.

Musher and Sophie: “If the Pyrenees seem closer, you can also choose to go there to start snowboarding with your dog! The Nordic Station of Cap Cir of which I speak in the article This winter, go to the Pyrenees with your dog! will welcome you with open arms to go snowboarding with your dog. There are also miles of trails for go skijoring with a dog at this resort.”

Celia:

During the last snowshoe climbs Charlie understood that she could skid in the snow: now she climbs in front and goes full speed downhill to brake and skid at our feet like a cannonball! It's awesome !

Claudius:

The first time Naya saw me go on a snowboard, she didn't know what to do and watched me walk away like “Uh… You're going to come back, huh?”. And as soon as I called her, she understood the principle. It only took her once to learn that she had to run 2 meters behind. 

These two testimonials prove to us once again that you can do almost anything with your dog. By respecting the abilities and desires of your dog, it is possible to share Too W'ouf experiences with our four-legged friends. Many thanks to Célia and Claude for their valuable feedback! Who feels ready to put on their snowshoes and snowboard to try the adventure with their dog? Personally, Musher not being a great runner, I think she would spend half of her descent in the harness or bag on my back… I can see her stopping dead in the middle of the descent with an air that would say “you serious? What's your delirium? I run behind the balloons for 10 kms? Without me huh… I prefer to sniff between the fir trees at my own pace!!”