PLEASE NOTE: I have a puppy right now so I WON'T be trying this any time soon! I was thinking for when he gets to his expected full grown weight (50-60 lbs.).

My boyfriend and I snowboard (if you've ever been to MN this is why Lutsen got his name...yes...after a ski resort )

I am ok at it...in between novice and intermediate basically i can go in a straight line without falling and my sense of balance is good. I was wondering how difficult it is to skijor with a snowboard/if anyone on this forum has done it before?! Otherwise I was thinking the easiest route to take would be cross country skis which are also accessible to me!

Basically...we are minnesotans and huskies are northern dogs so I want to incorporate as much fun in the snow as i can for him! Right now running around the yard and burying himself in a little puppy snow pile suits him just fine!

I think it sounds pretty awkward if you ask me...

The other thing to consider is safety. Snowboards and regular downhill skis have sharp metal edges. Typical cross-country skis do not, which is much safer for the dog in the event of any accidents or collisions.

MGoBlue wrote:

I think it sounds pretty awkward if you ask me...

The other thing to consider is safety. Snowboards and regular downhill skis have sharp metal edges. Typical cross-country skis do not, which is much safer for the dog in the event of any accidents or collisions.

You have a very good point and I agree with you! I've just seen youtube videos and when I've done research on it they give snowboarding as an option so I just wanted to know other's opinions on it!

I do know a couple people who boardjor with their dogs, but their dogs are not beginners nor are they slouches in harness. The biggest downside, beyond the safety factor, is you won't be really able to work with them like you can on skis.

I would recommend contacting a local sled dog club and ask them. I was a member of the Cascade Sled Dog Club in Oregon and they taught me everything I needed to know about bikejoring, dog scootering, etc. All of the members were involved in sledding and skijoring and long boarding (with huskies pulling) and various other wheeled contraptions that a dog could pull you on. I was a member for a while, but even before and after my membership, everyone was always willing to help me. It's just that type of a community when you're actively involved with and surrounded by fellow dog lovers.

I would start with Sled Dog Central http://www.sleddogcentral.com/. They have a forum, a Facebook site https://www.facebook.com/SledDogCentral, and a regular website. They also have links to Clubs & Organizations. I found this for your state of MN:

http://www.sleddogcentral.com/clubs_usa.htm#Minnesota

Quote :

Midwest Skijorers Club
Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
New Midwest skijor club!

Minnesota Malamute Club
The Minnesota Malamute Club is a group of people devoted to preserving the working ability of the Alaskan Malamute.

North Star Sled Dog Club
The North Star Sled Dog Club promotes the sport of sled dog racing and the welfare of the sled dog. It also familiarizes the public with the work of the sled dog.

Thank you for all of the feedback! I'm happy to see there is a club in saint paul as its not too far from my suburb! I was thinking of contacting the people I got him from...a recreational dog sled team/kennel up north! As I said previously though he's still a pup so this would be more of a next year winter thing!

Im a boarder but picked up x-country skiing a fee yrs ago yo take the pups out on. I skied for 12 or so yrs before switching so going back to skis was not to hard. It is really fun and if you have that option it would be better then with a board.
I have taken my 2 backcountry riding but off lead so its not really jorring.
You have plenty of time to train commands before he is ready

jbealer wrote:

Im a boarder but picked up x-country skiing a fee yrs ago yo take the pups out on. I skied for 12 or so yrs before switching so going back to skis was not to hard. It is really fun and if you have that option it would be better then with a board.
I have taken my 2 backcountry riding but off lead so its not really jorring.
You have plenty of time to train commands before he is ready

Thank you for the tips! Yeah I am just preparing for when he gets bigger. Right now I still tire him out instead of the other way around so I haven't needed to get too creative yet. I know its only a matter of time before that changes though!