Winter hiking with your dog can be one of the highlights of the cooler months. Having frosty trails to yourselves as others hibernate indoors is pretty special.
But sub-zero temperatures also call for a *little* extra planning and awareness. Don’t let your wintery hikes turn into a total sh*tshow of rescuing paws from frostbite and your Samoyed from getting lost in a snow drift.
Others may be griping about the cold but with these tips, you and your best adventure bud will be nailing it now through March.
1. Know how winter weather affects your dog
Temperatures near or below zero affect each of our pets differently. Before planning your winter hiking route, be realistic: is your fluffy dog bred for sledding in arctic conditions, or do they refuse to step outside to pee when temps hit 40? It sounds obvious, but a husky or shepherd is likely going to handle miles of winter hiking without being phased. Your street rescue from a Caribbean climate? Not so much.
If you’re cold, they might be too. Generally smaller dogs with lower body fat tend to struggle more, so jackets and booties are going to be a trail necessity this winter—for both of you. It’s smart to pack extra layers, hike in wooded areas sheltered from winds, and be okay with having to cut a hike short every so often.
2. Be proactive against frozen or irritated paws
When it’s really cold, your dog might start limping. That’s a sign they could have a frozen paw or a snowball has formed that’s stuck and making walking uncomfortable. The second your dog’s paws freeze, it’s game over. And if your adventure companion tends to be a little dramatic, you might even be stuck for carrying them partway home. If you have a long-furred dog that gets those dreaded snowballs in the toes, definitely check out our Powwax.
But it’s not just the temperatures and snow that irritate paws, it’s also overly salted roads, and small cuts from sharp ice. That’s why we’ve recommended packing winter booties. And yes, your dog will get used to them. Even if you don't wear the booties from the onset of the hike, always carry a set in your backpack in case of paw injuries. Once at home, give the tootsies a little extra care with Pawjam.
3. Plan your route
Post-holing through deep snow stinks for everyone. Check AllTrails reports before you head out to see what areas have snow, and whether it’s fresh or packed down. If it’s fresh snow, you’ll need snowshoes, and a dog with long legs and a lot of energy to charge through. If the trail gets a good amount of foot traffic and it’s been a few days since the snow, chances are there’s a walkable trail with snow already packed down that you can stay on.
4. Head out early
If you’re an avid hiker, you probably already like to get to the trail head early. You’ve heard this piece of advice before: plan to be back well before sundown. That goes even more so for dog owners in winter. When the temperatures are lower, and there’s fewer hours of sunlight, the stakes can be a bit higher.
5. Don’t bank on worst-case scenarios… but know how to avoid them
Winter hiking is incredible, for sure. But, it also comes with a list of precautions to take. Don’t plan on things going awry, but don’t be naive to avalanche risks, frostbite, low visibility, or ice-covered creeks either. Ever had to fish a dog out of a pond mid-winter? Yeah. Hard pass. We’ve already done the trial-and-error of winter hiking with dogs and come up with the solutions you actually need. For those low-visibility heavy snowfall days, we’ve got a backcountry bell, bright jackets, and colorful bandanas.
6. Treat cozy post-hike gear as a priority, not an afterthought, and reward the experience
If you’re already a winter hiker or take part in a different snow sport, chances are you’ve spent one too many car rides home damp, chilly, and uncomfortable. Nothing seems to slow time more than waiting for a hot shower and having to drive allllll the way home. Take this as your reminder that the cozy post-hike gear is a *must.* That’s the spare fleece and dry wool socks for you, and the extra blanket or towel for them.
Like all outdoor adventures, this too must come with a rewarding ritual for when you’re finished. In the summer months, that might be hitting up a brewery. For a wintery day outdoors, that could be hearty soup for you, and a bone for your dog. Happy trails!
