Ski-joëring: discovering skijoring with your dog

Gliding on cross-country skis while your dog provides the pull, in the silence of a snow-covered forest: ski-joëring is perhaps the finest winter expression of dog-powered sports. It also demands some preparation. Here is what you need to know to begin well.

The principle

You ski in classic or skate style, equipped with a harness; your dog wears a traction harness; a shock-absorbing line connects you. The dog creates the pull, you manage balance, propulsion and direction. It is true coordination between two — and that is precisely what makes it exhilarating.

Before adding the dog: know how to ski

This is the golden rule. Ski-joëring is built on already-mastered gliding technique. If you are beginning at skiing, first stabilize your cross-country technique, braking included, before introducing traction. A dog pulling an uncertain skier means two falls instead of one.

Safety first

The harness must have a quick-release system: being able to detach instantly in case of a fall or emergency is non-negotiable. Learn to fall "cleanly", on your side, while keeping control of the line. And choose wide, open slopes for your first attempts, away from trees and steep drops.

Learning together

If your dog already knows dog hiking, the transition to snow is natural: they are the same commands, on a surface that slides. Otherwise, you first establish traction on foot, then adapt it. The first sessions are short: you aim for success and pleasure, not distance.

Cold demands its precautions — protection for the pads, attention to biting wind. Our guide dedicated to extreme cold covers all of this.

Why discover it with guidance

Ski-joëring rewards those who start well and frustrates those who launch alone without guidance. Professional instruction during the learning phase saves you from common mistakes and accelerates your progress. That is exactly what we offer at Skimate in winter: we adapt the session to your skiing level and your dog's experience, on slopes we know by heart.

Curious about ski-joëring? Come learn it this winter, at your own pace and your dog's.