Dog Friendly Skiing & Snowshoeing

man skiing with dog in mountains

The most idyllic winter dog "walk."

Welcome to the Sea to Sky's largest off-leash dog area with over 12 kilometres of dog-friendly trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
 

Visit Whistler Olympic Park with your Dog

Whether you're an experienced skier or snowshoer or you're just starting out, time spent on our dog-friendly trails offers the perfect opportunity to bond with your dog and take in the stunning scenery surrounding Whistler Olympic Park.

family snowshoeing with dog in mountains

Buy a ticket or pass for you and your dog

To enjoy a day of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing with your dog, you can purchase a day ticket or season pass online for you and your dog. Same-day purchases can be made at the gate upon arrival. Check out the detailed list of trails provided below, and yes, you can even visit on a Monday or Wednesday Night - learn more about that here.

Accessing our dog-friendly trails

After passing the Whistler Olympic Park main gate, you'll find our two Dog Parking areas to your right and left (refer to our trail maps below for exact locations). Both parking areas offer direct access to our dog-friendly trails. Your dog is required to be on a leash at all times when not on our designated off-leash trails, especially in parking lots.

man skiing with dog in mountains

Accessing the Day Lodge

If you need to access the Day Lodge when visiting with your dog, please head to Parking Lots 1, 2 or 3 and leave your dog safely in your car or leashed outside the main entrance in the designated area. Dogs are not permitted inside the Day Lodge or deck areas at any time (service dogs are exempt). Note that there is no dog-friendly trail access to or from the Day Lodge. If you require rentals, we recommend picking these up from the Day Lodge before heading to the Dog Parking areas.

Woman snowshoeing with dog in mountains

Abide by the rules & pick up after your dog

We expect all dog owners to follow the rules at all times during their visit to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. Not abiding by these rules can make it difficult to continue providing dog-friendly skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. Remember only to use our dog-friendly trails, keep your dog under control at all times, and always pick up after your dog. All our dog skiing & snowshoeing rules are outlined below for you to read before your visit. You can also find these rules posted at the two main dog-friendly trail access points (Brandywine View & Porter's Glide).

Buy Your Ticket or Pass Today

Dog-friendly Trails

Over 12km of designated trails to explore

Whistler Olympic Park Dog-Friendly Ski Trails

  • Paws Passage
  • Around the World
  • Metal Dome
  • Zoey's Saunter
  • Porter's Glide
  • Brandywine View

Whistler Olympic Park Dog-Friendly Snowshoe Trails

  • Marley's Meander
  • Shuler's Shuffle
  • Paws Passage (multi-use trail)
  • Porter's Glide (multi-use trail)

Rules for Dogs and Their Owners

For the safety and enjoyment of all, skiers are asked to adhere to our dog-skiing rules.

We expect all dog owners to follow these rules at all times during their visit to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. You can also find these rules posted at the two main dog-friendly trail access points (Brandywine View & Porter's Glide).

  1. All dogs brought into the Park require a dog season pass or day ticket attached to their collar. If, for any reason, this is not possible, the pass or ticket must be carried by the owner.
  2. All dogs must be on-leash when in any parking areas or when not on designated off-leash trails. Please adhere to the posted signage.
  3. A maximum of two dogs is permitted per user while on the multi-use trails.
  4. Dogs are required to be under the control of their owner at all times while in the Park.
  5. Owners must bag and remove all dog waste from the trail surfaces and parking lots (waste stations are available on the dog-friendly trails). This is especially important in the parking & main trail access areas where owners tend to be distracted or inattentive.
  6. Please leave aggressive and disobedient dogs at home. All reports of aggressive or noisy dogs will be taken seriously and investigated. Any dog accused of biting another dog or Park user or causing damage to property will have its access privileges immediately and permanently withdrawn.
  7. Owners will be held liable for any and all dog-related injuries that occur while at the Park.
  8. Skijoring, or being pulled by a harnessed dog(s), is not permitted on our dog-friendly trails.
  9. Controlled skiing with your dog on a leash is permitted as long as it is not pulling you.
  10. Dogs are not permitted inside the Day Lodge (including the deck areas), the stadium areas & biathlon range, or within any other buildings. Please keep your dog away from any trails or areas that are not dog-friendly.
two women on skis smiling with white dog

Tips for Cross-Country Skiing or Snowshoeing with Your Dog

Make your winter adventure even more enjoyable for you and your four-legged friend.

Ensure your dog has a day ticket or season pass, familiarize yourself with the dog rules (see above) and respect dog-free areas to avoid conflicts with other skiers, lessons, events and training sessions. Always leash your dog in parking lots and while preparing your skis.

Keep your dog under control at all times. On the trails, dogs should heel and stop when they are supposed to and should never chase other dogs, skiers or wild animals. Especially when approaching others, keep your dog close so it does not intimidate other trail users. Do some off-leash training before you hit the trails so you can safely let your dog romp freely beside you. Use lights or reflectors on your dog’s collar for extra safety when skiing in the dark.

Walking/running on snow is physically demanding, so know your dog’s fitness level and ability. Start with short, easy trips to see how your dog responds, and gradually increase duration and intensity with each visit.

Cold weather may affect some dogs more than others. Watch out for shivering, lethargy, slow breathing, loss of coordination or dilated pupils, which are signs of frostbite or hypothermia. Consider a light dog coat if your dog tends to get cold quickly.

While out on the trails, check paws regularly for snow and ice that can get stuck and build up, which causes chafing, freezing or loss of traction. It is helpful to keep nails cut short and to trim the fur between the toes slightly. Dog booties can help protect the paws, or you can apply a special “musher wax” before you head out in the snow. Back home, dog paw salve helps to heal cracks and dryness.

Pick up after your dog – this should go without saying. No one wants that special “wax” all over their skis, snowshoes or boots.

Pack supplies: Bring doggie bags, and consider bringing water, treats or kibble, and on longer trips, a first aid kit and a mat for your dog to sit on when you both take a break. Waste stations and complimentary doggie bags are available at the two dog-friendly trail access points and on the trail. If you can't find one, you must be willing to hold onto any bagged waste until you can dispose of it.