Take the pup snowshoeing

Take your dog along for a walk on snowshoes. The slower pace of snowshoeing enables a dog to keep up with you. Since walking in soft, deep snow is twice as difficult for dogs, they will gladly let you break trail and follow in your packed tracks.

Suggested Vermont Tour: Worcester Range Tour #23 (Moderate) Stowe Pinnacle, 2.8 miles, 2 hours 30 minutes, elevation gain 1520 feet. A moderate snowshoe (a difficult ski) to the pinnacle, with views of Mt. Mansfield. Trailhead parking in winter. Source: Northern Vermont Hiking Trails Map and Guide.

and cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiing is one of our dog's favorite sports. Izzy loves to race us down the hills (and she usually wins). It's important to be a good skier and ski in control when you have dogs along. A collision is not fun for a human but is even more dangerous for a dog. Metal edge skis can easily slice a canine leg.

Izzy is a real powder hound!

Izzy's buddy Zoe proves that
a"powder" poodle loves
to hike in the snow too!

Izzy's favorite trails are easy to moderate backcountry routes, they all come with a promise of treats and a warm fire at the end of the day. She is not allowed at Ski Centers so we stay on the wilderness trails. There are many trails to choose from, here are a few of her top picks!

Selected Wilderness Trails

Catamount Trail/Maple Run, (Easy) 1.3 miles with good winter parking*
Beaver Meadow Trail, (Easy) 3 miles one way to lodge. Side of road parking.*

Mt. Ascutney Region

Tour #29 (Difficult) Mt. Ascutney via Brownsville/Windsor Trail Loop, 5.9 miles 4 hours 30 minutes, elevation gain 2500 feet. Off road parking.**

Hanover 1pma1 Appalachian Trail

Tour #35 (Easy) Velvet Rocks via Appalachian Trail, 3.8 miles, 2 hours 30 minutes, elevation gain 705 feet. Parking on street in village of Hanover.**

Camel's Hump Region

Tour # 31 (Easy) Catamount Trail, 4 miles, 2 hours 30 minutes, elevation gain 1500 feet. This is part of the Honey Hollow section of the Catamount Trail. We suggest a short round trip on the road.***

Elmore Mountain

Tour #27 (Moderate) Elmore Mt. Trail, 4.2 miles, 2 hours 45 minutes, elevation gain 1450 feet. Hike to the fire tower. Parking is limited off road.***

Long Trail Tours

Tour # 10 (Difficult) Burnt Rock Mountain Trail, 5.2 miles out and back. Hike to open summit on Burnt Rock Mountain. Parking lot near end of Big Basin Road.****

Camels Hump State Forest

Tour #3 (Moderate) Danna Hill Road, 5.4 miles out and back. Trail blazes through small section of Camel's Hump State Forest. Parking off road.****

* Source: Northern Vermont Adventure Skiing Map and Guide.
** Source: Vermont New Hampshire Hiking Trails Map 1pma1 Guide.
*** Source: Northern Vermont Adventure Skiing Map and Guide.
**** Source: The Valley of the Mad River Vermont Snowshoe Trails Map 1pma1 Guide.

Special thanks to Angela Faeth of Map Adventures Topographic Maps 1pma1 Guides for providing this information.