Getting Your Hound to the Powder: A How-To Guide

If you’re like us, your favourite things in the world are skiing and your furry friends (hence our name, Powderhound). Traditionally, however, we may think of the two as mutually exclusive: going skiing is a holiday and dogs are usually left behind. But why not have both? Behold, a how-to guide on bringing your pup to the slopes that make it a no-brainer next time you go away.


Travel: 
The first thing to consider is how you go about actually transporting your doggo to the mountains. Now, as much as it is important to make the journey as easy as possible, your pooch’s comfort should remain a priority. Driving is the ideal travel option, as it allows for frequent stops, comfort breaks, and the flexibility to bring all your pet essentials, like food, blankets, toys and, on this kind of holiday, their winter coats! If driving isn’t possible, taking the train is a great alternative—most European railways are pet-friendly, and your dog can relax beside you with more freedom to move. Flying is the least ideal option, especially for larger dogs who may need to travel in the cargo hold. However, if the flight is short and the airline has pet-friendly policies, air travel can be manageable. With the right travel mode, you and your dog will be well-prepared for a fun winter getaway!

Accommodation:
When it comes to finding pet-friendly accommodation in the mountains, there are plenty of options that make it easy to bring your pup along. Many Airbnb rentals allow pets, giving you a private, homey space that’s ideal for dogs who need a bit of room to roam. If you prefer a hotel, the Alps alone boast a growing number of pet-friendly hotels—more than half of the hotels in the region welcome dogs, and many offer pet perks like beds, treats, and even pet-sitting services while you’re on the slopes. Whichever option you choose, a bit of research can ensure your accommodation is just as enjoyable for your dog as it is for you!



Doggy Day-Care:
Now, unless your dog is a born shredder, you will most likely not be buying your little one a ski pass and so, you will need something for them to do whilst you are on the piste. Some pet-friendly hotels offer in-house pet-sitting services or can recommend local sitters who specialise in mountain care. The Val Thorens official website, for instance, offers a complete list of dog-sitters in the resort. Some ski resorts even provide dog daycare facilities, complete with warm indoor spaces, outdoor play areas, and supervised socialisation with other dogs. For a more personal touch, meanwhile, you can also find dog sitters through local pet-sitting apps or websites, allowing you to enjoy the slopes while knowing your dog is well looked after.


Dog-friendly activities
What about if you aren’t a skier but still want to do something fun and active with your four-legged friend? The options are plentiful. If you have a big boy, you can pretty much do anything together: winter-hiking, snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing (provided you stick to dog-friendly routes). Now, smaller pups are not excluded from partaking in these activities, but they may have difficulty traversing the powdery terrains for long periods of time. That said, you can take them with you in a sled or in a dog backpack so that they don’t miss out on the crisp air and outstanding views. Finally, you can simply go on a walk around the resort you’re staying in and find a nice patch of snow to let the little hounds run their hearts out - we recommend fetch with a snowball, endless fun !


Now, to help you get started on planning your next trip to the slopes, here is a list of hotels that are particularly fond of our little four-legged friends:

USA:

  • The Lodge at Vail (Vail, Colorado)
  • Tivoli Lodge (Vail, Colorado)
  • The Little Nell (Aspen, Colorado)
  • MOLLIE Aspen (Aspen, Colorado)
  • Limelight Hotel (Sun Valley, Idaho)
  • Hotel Ketchum (Sun Valley, Idaho)
  • The Cloudveil (Jackson Hole, Wyoming)
  • The Wort Hotel (Jackson Hole, Wyoming)
  • Topnotch Resort (Stowe, Vermont)
  • Trapp Family Lodge (Stowe, Vermont)

Europe
  • CERVO Mountain Resort (Zermatt, Switzerland)
  • Grand Hotel Zermatterhof (Zermatt, Switzerland)
  • Hôtel Le Blizzard (Val d’Isère, France)
  • Hôtel Le Yule (Val d’Isère, France)
  • Chalet Hôtel le Prieuré & Spa (Chamonix, France)
  • Hôtel Le Morgane (Chamonix, France)
  • Hôtel Cordée des Alpes (Verbier, Switzerland)
  • Le Chalet d’Adrien (Verbier, Switzerland)
  • Hôtel Champs Fleuris (Morzine, France)
  • Fleur des Neiges (Morzine, France)
  • Post Lech Arlberg (Lech, Austria)
  • Goldener Berg (Lech, Austria)
  • Hotel Vereina (Klosters, Switzerland)
  • Chalet Piz Buin (Klosters, Switzerland)
  • Grand Hotel Savoia (Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy)
  • Rosapetra SPA Resort (Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy)
November 12, 2024 — Tim Hall
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