CROSS COUNTRY SKIING So, you want to go cross-country skiing? So does your pooch (sans skis, of course). Dogs simply love running on cross-country ski trails, especially the groomed ones. But not all cross-country ski areas welcome Fido. In fact, most don’t. So the question becomes where to go cross-country skiing with dogs. It’s sometimes hard to remember, but not everyone loves your dog as much as you do. Some cross country ski areas post their dog policy prominently on their website. We felt that the policy posted on the Memphremagog Ski Touring Trails’ website (mstf. net) captured the essence of what most of these policies say, and are reprinting with permission:
DOG POLICY: Dogs are allowed on Memphremagog Ski Touring Trails but inconsiderate dog owners are not. Your “always 42
friendly” pooch may not be seen as such by the 5 year-old they bound up to; unless your dog never gets rambunctious or hostile to other dogs, they should be on a leash. Also, PLEASE take the time to kick any dog mess OFF the trails. There it is in a nutshell. If you want you and your dog welcome in the future, make sure he’s a good citizen on the trails. Remember, you and your dog can be asked to leave at any time, even if you paid for a full day ticket, so obey any rules and use common courtesy. Here is a list of MAINE cross-country ski areas that welcome dogs: Bethel Village Trails: 1km dog trail Carter’s XC Ski Centers (Bethel and Oxford): “We do allow dogs on the entire trail system, but we charge a trail fee ($15) for the dogs. We sometimes make exceptions with small dogs: 2 for $15.00. Later in the
petMAINE 2018: The Ultimate Guide To Enjoying Maine With Your Pets