One of the greatest joys is sharing the activities you love with your dog. For me that means taking my dog Kicker out snowboarding through fresh powder. Snowboarding has been part of my life since childhood and now supports my career. Kicker has been charging through the snow with me essentially from the moment he came home as a puppy, and those days on the mountain are some of my favorite memories.
If you want to watch pure joy on four legs, check out footage of Kicker and me carving through untracked backcountry snow. That said, bringing a dog into the backcountry adds responsibility. Proper planning and precautions keep your pup safe and ensure your day stays fun instead of stressful.
Safety First
Your dog’s welfare must always come first. That means making sure they are warm, hydrated, comfortable, and kept out of hazardous terrain. If you don’t have solid control on skis or a snowboard, or you lack experience in avalanche-prone backcountry, don’t add your dog to that equation.
- Stay on terrain that matches your ability level. Start small and slow, especially with a puppy. Young dogs can tire quickly, so plan short days or be prepared to carry your dog if needed. When Kicker was a pup I often zipped him into my jacket on longer outings, always staying well within my limits.
- Avoid avalanche-prone slopes (generally 35+ degrees) unless you are trained, have checked current conditions, and carry appropriate avalanche equipment such as a beacon and shovel. Never go into risky terrain alone.
- Maintain control of your equipment at all times. Edges and speed are a dangerous combination—clipping your dog could cause life-changing injuries or worse. Train your dog to stay back and not run directly in front of you while you’re moving.
- Prepare for emergencies. Choose areas where you can quickly evacuate your dog and access medical care if necessary. Carry a small first aid kit that includes basic supplies for canine injuries.
Ideal Conditions
Different breeds handle cold differently. A thick coat helps, but you still want to choose appropriate days and snow conditions. Avoid extremely cold or wet days that could lead to hypothermia or heavy snow that clumps in a dog’s fur. Check the snowpack before you go—soft, breakable crusts can cause dogs to slip or injure their legs if they break through while running.
- Look for a packed base layer of snow for safer footing.
- Ideally you’ll have about 4–12 inches of fresh snow on top of a base, depending on your dog’s size. This offers good traction and softer landings.
- Warm days can make snow cling to fur and between paw pads. To reduce snow buildup, some people use a light food-safe lubricant between the pads or apply paw balm to protect and repel snow. Test any product for tolerance and avoid anything your dog might ingest in large amounts.
- If temperatures are low or your dog has short hair, bring a dog jacket or a blanket so they can warm up off the snow when needed.
- Pack extra snacks. Dogs burn more calories in cold weather, so bring lightweight, high-value treats your dog enjoys. Kicker loves CORE 100% Salmon treats and Bowl Boosters—the small, compact format is convenient for packing.
- Always bring water. Eating snow does not reliably hydrate a dog, and liquids are important to prevent dehydration in cold, active conditions.
Have Fun
The whole point is spending quality time outdoors and having fun together. I usually use a splitboard with skins so I can tour up and then ride down with Kicker beside me. For shorter runs we’ll do multiple laps up and down, or arrange shuttles with vehicles when possible. If snowboarding or skiing isn’t your thing, sledding with a dog can be a great alternative that lets you both enjoy the snow safely.
Plan outings around your dog’s fitness and temperament, watch for signs of fatigue or cold, and always prioritize safety over pushing a big day. Capture the moments if you want to look back, but make sure shooting video or photos doesn’t distract you from keeping your dog safe.
Enjoy the season, keep your adventure dog safe, and have a blast out there. Follow our adventures on Instagram at the handles: @andrew__muse and @kickerdogmuse.