Preparing to Take Your Dog Skiing Requires Early Planning
31-year-old Iverson participated in this competition with his family and his beloved husky. He explained that the main reason for coming here was to have some winter fun with his dog, and the competition results weren’t important. As an owner, Iverson believes the most crucial factor when taking your dog skiing is...
Iverson admitted that the biggest issue—and the most essential preparation—when traveling with your dog is having a thorough understanding of the ski resort. “Generally, many ski resorts do not allow dogs. If you encounter that, you’ll find yourself in a tough spot. To avoid such situations, it’s best to do your homework before you go.” To this end, Iverson shared several convenient methods. “You can first look up the ski resort’s phone number online and call to ask if dogs are allowed; you can also consult travel clubs or users on travel forums online; and of course, it’s ideal if you can find friends who’ve previously taken their dogs to a ski resort.”
Since this competition attracted skiers from different regions and was also a big gathering for dogs, Iverson went the extra mile to dress his dog up beautifully. He summarized, “There’s always a way—believe that with our dogs’ happiness and ours in mind, challenges can be overcome. So be sure to find out everything in advance, and never let venue issues ruin your enthusiasm for skiing.”
In previous years, if no suitable ski resort was found, Iverson would seek out a gently sloped hill covered in snow or an open area surrounded by snow. That would still allow his family and furry friend to have great fun. But the choice of venue depends on the dog’s physical condition and adaptability to the environment. “If your dog is small and doesn’t usually get much exercise, it’s best to choose a lower slope and play moderately to avoid over-fatigue. But if your dog is naturally athletic—like a terrier, hunting dog, or working breed—you can let it roam freely in snowy areas. It will likely have more energy and enjoy it more than you.” Iverson pointed out that when it comes to skiing, the dogs that are usually enthusiastic about it are large breeds similar to huskies, so there’s no need to worry too much about lack of energy—just prepare plenty of food.
Since this competition was somewhat far from Iverson’s home, they considered staying overnight, so Iverson booked accommodations online well in advance. “Although more hotels are beginning to allow dogs, the number is still limited. Some lodgings may even restrict dogs during peak travel seasons, so it’s best to plan this as early as possible.”
Friends Join In, Taking Turns Caring for the Dog
Another thing to consider when bringing your dog to a skiing competition is who will take care of your pet if you want to ski alone. Iverson said that’s exactly why it’s good for the whole family to come along. “When you choose to ski, you won’t have the energy to take care of your dog. Although this competition is dog-friendly, there are still times when you just want to ski on your own. If you’re traveling with your dog alone, then spending time with your pet means sacrificing your skiing time. In such cases, you might feel quite limited.”
However, Iverson believes that even if the whole family can’t make it, it’s best to go skiing with your dog alongside a few close dog-loving friends. That way, everyone can take turns looking after the dog while still enjoying the slopes, and the dog can have a great time too.
Besides the competition, Iverson also took his dog to participate in various dog-and-owner entertainment activities, having a blast. “This ski resort offers some fun facilities designed for people and dogs. For example, snow tubing—owners and dogs sit together on a disc-like rubber raft and slide down the snowy slope. It’s both fun and completely safe.”
Additionally, since dogs exert a lot of energy on the slopes and need to stay hydrated, it’s essential to bring plenty of drinking water—it’s a must-have for skiing trips. “Dogs get very excited on the slopes and naturally burn a lot of energy, which makes them especially thirsty. If they aren’t given water in time, they may try to chew on snow on the ground when extremely thirsty, which can easily lead to stomach discomfort.”
Beyond Huskies, Bulldogs Also Go Wild
It’s not at all surprising that huskies can ski and pull sleds—their build and traits make them naturally suited for the sport. But 6-year-old bulldog Tillman is a triple threat: he excels at skiing, skateboarding, and surfing, and set a world record at just 5 years old.
If categorized by human Winter Olympics events, Tillman’s specialty would be “parallel giant slalom snowboarding,” and his speed is truly jaw-dropping. This snow sport has parallels with the extreme sport of skateboarding. While Tillman’s snowboarding currently only includes performances with no official competition records, his skateboarding achievements have long earned him a lofty title—he’s the world’s fastest skateboarding dog, certified by the Guinness World Records.
Although the Winter Olympics happens every four years, for Tillman, every winter is his own “Olympics” for fun. Among his kind, he is a unique champion and world record holder. At age 4, Tillman participated in an extreme sports competition in his hometown of California, USA, and completed a roughly 100-meter track on a skateboard in 19.678 seconds, becoming the speed king among dogs. The feat was even made into a movie, screened at a major theater in Los Angeles.
Owner Ron Davis explained that the name Tillman was inspired by a player from the NHL (National Hockey League) who died in the Afghanistan War after enlisting. Ron Davis, an animal trainer at a pet food company, chose the athlete’s name for his dog because he saw similar athletic potential.
“One day, Tillman jumped onto the skateboard by himself and started riding,” Davis said. “Bulldogs naturally have short legs and a low center of gravity, making it relatively easy for them to learn to skateboard—but Tillman has a special gift.” After months of training, Tillman became very comfortable on the board. He would place his front paws on the board, push off with his back legs to accelerate, and shift his weight to steer—just like a human. Besides skateboarding, snowboarding, and soccer, even surfing is no challenge for him.
After Tillman set his Guinness World Record, Davis formed a “skateboarding dog performance team” centered around him, including Tillman’s little sister. These canine stars were even invited to perform skateboarding tricks on the world’s longest float (34 meters) in the Rose Parade in Los Angeles. The atmosphere in the performance team is great—the trainer said, “When one dog is sliding, the others watch attentively and bark on the curves to cheer their teammate on.”
Tillman has a lively personality, loves being close to people, has excellent chemistry with owner Davis, and is unafraid of cameras and lights—all qualities that have brought him limitless stardom. Now, sports have become Tillman’s job. Aside from performing, he endorses his owner’s pet food company, appears in ads for Apple products, and participates in nationwide charity events related to children.
It’s reported that Tillman was originally bought by Davis as a Mother’s Day gift for his wife—but the two became inseparable companions. His wife often complains that Davis is too biased, spending so much time with Tillman. But in recent years, Tillman’s achievements have won her over too, and she often cooks delicious meals to reward her furry friend.