HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DOG DAY
Dogs belong in the snow. Dogs evolved from gray wolves, whose historical habitats spanned mountainous and forested terrain across Eurasia and North America. Their bodies—especially working and northern breeds—were built for uneven ground, cold air, altitude, and deep snow cover. Our dog Ricka, a rescue from Lebanon who was part Husky and part Welsh Shepherd, was made for that world. In the Vermont forest Ricka was poetry in motion. Watching her run for hours was like watching a wild animal returned to her natural habitat.
While not every dog gets to run wild in the Vermont woods, bringing your pup on a ski holiday does not have to mean sacrificing your time outside. It just means planning better. Know where dogs can walk, where they can ride, where they can rest, and how each resort handles its own rules. With that knowledge, the trip starts feeling like a proper winter holiday—powder mornings for you and snowy afternoon forest adventures for your four-legged pal.
First, the caveat: dogs are generally not allowed on active, mapped downhill ski terrain during operating hours, with avalanche dogs and other working dogs as the obvious exception. With that in mind, the useful question is what kind of mountain access dogs do get. To help you design a winter itinerary that works for both skier and dog, we evaluated nine premier resorts across North America and Europe using four practical measures. We looked at general access, lift and gondola rules, village walkability, and lodging that genuinely works for dogs. Here is the countdown, from resorts that require a little planning to the ones that make bringing your dog on a ski holiday feel nearly effortless.
#9 Stowe Mountain Resort, VT
- Best for: A classic New England ski-town trip with scenic off-hill valley walks and cozy base lodging.
- The Reality: No access to active ski terrain.
- The Transit: Winter uphill access for pets is restricted; confirm current gondola rules before planning around mountain transit.
At the base of Mount Mansfield, Stowe gives dogs safe winter time away from downhill traffic. Four-legged companions can explore the Stowe Recreation Path and winter forest routes around the base of the Notch instead of using the slopes. Properties like The Lodge at Spruce Peak make lodging easy, so one person can ski while the other explores the valley floor with the dog.
#8 Vail Mountain, CO
- Best for: A polished, walkable base village experience with dog-accommodating patios.
- The Reality: Dogs can use valley trails, town-managed paths, and designated hiking routes, but they are not allowed to upload by gondola.
- The Fine Print: Confirm each hotel’s current pet policy before booking, especially for large dogs or restricted breeds.
Vail’s interconnected base villages offer a structured, European-style walking environment completely separate from inbound ski terrain. While one part of your group skis the Back Bowls, a handler can take the dog along the paved Gore Valley Trail, or follow the heated walkways and public art paths through Vail Village and Lionshead. The base area includes pet-friendly patios and public waste stations, but keep in mind that dogs are completely prohibited on all winter uphill mountain routes. Make sure to verify your specific hotel’s pet fees and other limitations before booking.
#7 Mont-Tremblant, QC
- Best for: A car-free pedestrian village trip with compact base access and nearby multi-use trails.
- The Reality: No access to active ski terrain, with strong valley trail access nearby.
- The Lift Rule: Dogs are not permitted on the Cabriolet or Flying Mile lifts; plan around village walking and nearby trail access instead.
Mont-Tremblant in Quebec features a pedestrian village and base area accessible to dogs, though they are prohibited from all lifts, including the Panoramic Gondola and Cabriolet, during the winter ski season. The nearby P’tit Train du Nord offers winter walking options, and the resort’s compact layout allows for convenient pet-friendly stays at base-area hotels like the Fairmont Tremblant.
#6 Bretton Woods, NH
- Best for: A New Hampshire winter base focused on scenic valley outings and historic lodging.
- The Reality: The main alpine base lodge and ski slopes are closed to recreational pets.
- The Bonus: Nearby Mount Washington winter rail and sightseeing options change by operator and season, so verify pet access directly before booking.
Set against Mount Washington, Bretton Woods works well for owners who treat the ski hill as one part of a winter escape. Dogs are banned from the alpine chairlifts and the Skyway Gondola, but the surrounding White Mountain National Forest offers snow-packed hiking trails and valley loops. The historic Omni Mount Washington Resort, across the road, ties the trip together with pet-friendly rooms and grounds; confirm current pet-room availability and restrictions before booking.
#5 Whistler Blackcomb, BC
- Best for: A pedestrian village network with valley trails and strong pet amenities.
- The Reality: Dogs are not allowed on inbound ski runs.
- The Gold Standard: Some lodging options offer pet-focused rooms or amenities; confirm current weight, breed, and fee rules before booking.
Across the Coast Mountains valley floor, Whistler offers a patrolled pedestrian network suited to high-energy dogs. Alpine lift access for pets is limited, so confirm current gondola and trail rules before planning around mountain transit. Handlers can use the Whistler Valley Trail network or visit designated dog areas where winter access is permitted. Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre may be a strong lodging option, but confirm current pet rules, fees, weight limits, and breed restrictions before booking.
#4 Seefeld in Tirol, Austria
- Best for: Winter sports integration via dog-friendly Nordic routes where current trail rules allow.
- The Reality: Dogs are banned from downhill alpine slopes; confirm current Nordic trail access before planning a dog-focused ski day.
- The Feature: Some properties may offer dog-washing or drying amenities; confirm before booking.
On a sunny plateau in the Austrian Alps, Seefeld stands out for dog-friendly Nordic possibilities when current trail rules allow. Dedicated dog routes such as the Hunde-Loipe may be available by season, but confirm access before planning to skijor, skate ski, or winter trail run with your dog. Alpine huts and hotels vary in pet amenities, so check directly before relying on indoor dog-wash stations or other specialized services.
#3 Zermatt, Switzerland
- Best for: A car-free alpine environment with mountain rail access.
- The Reality: Dogs are generally kept off ski slopes but may be allowed on selected mountain trains and lifts under current operator rules.
- The Environment: The village is largely car-free, with electric taxis and service vehicles replacing regular traffic.
Beneath the Matterhorn, Zermatt offers a largely car-free alpine setting where dogs can use mountain transit under current operator rules. Downhill ski trails are off-limits, but dogs may be allowed on selected routes such as the Gornergrat railway and some cable car networks. The resort also maintains packed winter walking paths, or Winterwanderwege, separated from skiers, while individual hotels set their own pet amenities and restrictions.
#2 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
- Best for: High-alpine sightseeing, valley walks, and classic European dog-friendly mountain culture.
- The Reality: Dogs are restricted from groomed downhill pistes but may be allowed on selected valley lifts and mountain rail routes.
- The Rule: Lift, muzzle, and ticket rules vary by operator and dog size, so check the current Chamonix lift policy before travel.
At the foot of Europe’s highest peak, Chamonix treats dogs as a normal part of mountain life. Dogs cannot go on active downhill ski slopes, but some valley lifts and mountain rail routes may allow leashed dogs into sightseeing areas. Rules vary by operator, dog size, and season, so confirm current access for routes such as Planpraz and Montenvers Mer de Glace before travel. In the valley, dogs are common in brasseries and shops, and rental policies vary by property.
#1 Telluride Ski Resort, CO
- Best for: Dog-friendly mountain transit and valley floor Nordic trails.
- The Reality: Dogs are barred from ski slopes but welcomed on public mountain transit.
- The Feature: The free public gondola has designated pet-friendly cabins; check current signage and operating rules before relying on them.
In a box canyon in the San Juan Mountains, Telluride reduces the parking hassle for travelers with dogs. The free Telluride-Mountain Village Gondola has designated pet-friendly cabins for travel between town and Mountain Village. Alpine runs are off-limits, but dogs can use permitted valley trails or selected winter routes. Before booking The Hotel Telluride, confirm current breed rules, weight limits, fees, and any shelter-donation program directly with the property.
