Winter Hiking With Your Dog
Winter in Western Canada can bring all kinds of weather depending on where you are. Snow and cold are the main players in Alberta and the mountains, and rain on the BC west coast with snow making an appearance occasionally. Southern Alberta is blessed with the Chinook winds that can warm a winter day and melt snow in a matter of hours. No matter what the weather, you can still hike with your dog and have fun in the chilly months. Advantages: 1) No bears, no bugs The bears residing in the rocky mountains of Alberta and BC make a beeline to the den in winter and hibernate from mid Oct/Nov. till late March. Bears have been known to wake during these months, but generally you will be able to hike without anticipating a bear encounter. Pesky mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and other creepy crawlies are absent in the cold weather as well so you and your dog can enjoy bug free strolls through the wilderness. 2) Less crowded trails Not every one will want to venture out in the cold and snow, but for those of us that do, we often have the trails and spectacular winter scenery to ourselves. Please note: Dogs are not allowed on groomed cross country ski trails in the provincial or national parks. 3) Spectacular photo opportunities There is something about snow on the mountains that creates great pictures. Snow makes the slopes look bigger and your dog frolicking in the snow can create some great pics. 4) Fun Snow is fun. Lots of dogs love to charge along snow covered trails, jumping and rolling in the snow and generally having a great time. Its great exercise and can really tire them out and burn some calories. That goes for us too!
Challenges: 1)Avalanches Lots of snow falls in the Canadian rocky mountains and that can lead to avalanche conditions. A variety of changing weather conditions can make the upper snow slopes unstable and avalanche prone. Always check the avalanche risk before venturing into the back country. Hike smart and avoid avalanche areas completely. 2) Staying Warm You and your dog need to stay warm while hiking in cold weather. Pay attention to your dog. If she or he is bouncing from one foot to the other, maybe its time to turn back or put on the doggie boots. Get your dog used to wearing boots before you head out. They can be very effective at protecting sensitive foot pads from snow and ice. A dog coat can also help your dog maintain body heat, but again, get them familiar with it before you hit the trails.
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