Skijoring

Skijoring is a snow discipline in which a cross-country skier is pulled by one or two harnessed dogs, connected to the skier’s belt by an elastic bungee line. It is the winter counterpart of canicross: the dog pulls ahead while the skier skis actively alongside.

What is skijoring?

In skijoring, the skier wears a belt similar to a canicross belt, to which the dog’s line is attached. The skier is not simply towed: they ski actively, skating or classic, pole hard on climbs and control speed on descents. The dog is guided by voice.

It takes place on groomed tracks or snowy trails, often at the same venues as sled races. In competition, starts are usually individual at intervals, with a ranking on time. The word comes from Norwegian and is spelt several ways: skijoring, ski-joering, ski-joëring.

Equipment

• Cross-country skis, skating or classic, with matching boots and poles.
• A pulling belt worn on the hips, with leg straps and a carabiner or quick-release system.
• A bungee line with a shock absorber, longer than in canicross to leave room between the skis and the dog.
• A pulling harness fitted to each dog.
• Dog booties if the snow is abrasive or icy, and lukewarm water or clean snow for hydration.

Dog welfare and readiness

A vet should confirm that your dog is fit for the effort. Prepare it with canicross or canicross walking before the snow season, then get it used to skis on short outings over flat ground. The skier should be comfortable on skis before hitching up a dog.

Active dogs usually cope well with cold, but watch their paw pads (ice balls between the toes, cuts), hydration and signs of fatigue. In mild weather, heavy snow makes the effort harder. The minimum dog age and entry conditions depend on the federation and the organizer: they are shown on each race page.

Race formats

On Canicompet, skijoring is a race type of its own. For each race the organizer specifies the number of dogs (one or two), the distance, number of runs, age and sex categories, and the allowed skiing technique if the rules restrict it.

How to take part

1. Find a snow race in the race calendar.
2. Create your Canicompet account and add your dog or dogs.
3. Get the usual documents ready: a licence or medical certificate depending on the race, plus a microchip and up-to-date vaccinations for each dog. The race page gives the exact list.
4. Enter online with the registration guide.

FAQ

Do I need to know how to ski?

Yes. You need to be comfortable on cross-country skis, especially to brake and stay balanced when the dog speeds up. A beginner skier should learn without a dog first.

Skating or classic?

Both are used. Skating is more common in competition, but some races specify the allowed technique in their rules.

Can I skijor with two dogs?

Yes, many races allow it. The number of dogs allowed is shown for each race on the race page.