For those of you who have never heard of the Scandinavian sport of skijoring, buckle up. This puts a whole new spin on taking your dog for a walk—think voice commands rather than leash control.

The bungee between you is just there to keep you connected, your hips to your dog’s body harness. You on country skis and holding poles, while he’s on a dead run in front of you. Where normally—not tied to a dog—you’d probably be skiing about five to seven miles an hour, now you’re zipping through the trails, in and out of trees, at a clip of about 35 miles per hour.

It's probably the most exhilarating way to experience an otherwise serene, often flat landscape.

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And no, you don't have to go at break-neck speed. That will be something you and your dog decide between yourselves.

But I don’t have a husky, you might be thinking. Doesn’t matter. Most dogs love to pull. Huskies just happen to be famous for it. Even the little breeds have the drive to tug and haul. Rule of thumb is the dog should be at least 35 pounds and full grown. However, if you’ve got a pack of seven five-pound chihuahuas that love to pull, more power to you. But deep snow drifts might be a challenge for the little guys, something to keep in mind.

On a budget? This is just the sport for you. You can pick up used cross-country skis on the cheap, and the two harnesses and the leash should only set you back about two or three hundred bucks. And if you can find those used as well, all the better. Of course, you might be one of those who gets carried away with you and your dog having alternating, matching outfits, plus bedazzled booties for his paws and fancy snacks. Then your costs might get up there a bit.

Besides figuring out if your dog likes to pull, you also need to decide if your dog can be trusted with voice commands.

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All you need when you’re cruising at top speed is for your mutt to spot a squirrel and veer just as you're trying to pass someone. If your fur pal ignores your commands, all kinds of catastrophes could ensue. Obedience is a must have.

Now no one will stop you if you want to come up with your own catchy lingo for commands. But if you want to feel legit, use what seasoned skijorers typically use, which are dog sledding terms like “gee” for go right, “haw” for go left, and “hike” for let’s go.

For more tips on getting started, training your dog, and types of gear, visit Nonstop Dog Wear.

Still not sure if this is something for you and your pooch? Here’s a glimpse of the fun you’re missing out on: video.

Once you’ve determined your dog is itching to pull, you’ve bought the gear, and taught him the basics, it’s time to venture beyond your driveway. Generally, if you find trails that aren’t groomed, you’ll be good to go. The groomed trails usually have the “no dog” rule. That’s OK. This sport is about adventure, going off the beaten path—at seven times the speed.

One West Michigander found Cannonsburg State Game Area to be an accommodating location, as seen in his thrilling, POV-style video. Hemlock Crossings and Aman Park also have trails that aren’t groomed. Once you start to look, you’re sure to find many more.

Maybe you’re not someone who’s looking for alone time with your dog. Maybe you want to join other thrill seekers on designated skijoring trails. Until you and your friends start a local group, your best bet might be to head to the U.P. where the sport is a lot more common place.

Check out some of these places and groups to get started:

Skijoring trails in Marquette.

Skijoring race in Keweenaw.

Skijoring trails at Keweenaw Mountain Lodge.

Lake Effect skijoring club.

Want to go even faster?
For those really wanting some excitement, hook up your leash to a horse and rider and switch out the cross-country skis for downhill. Horse skijoring can get you up to speeds around 40 mph. In the western states, skijoring with a horse gets pretty competitive with a timed course of jumps and obstacles.

And, for a bit of trivia, horse skijoring was even an event—the one and only time—at the 1928 Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Classified as a demonstration sport, there were no medals earned.

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So what are you waiting for?
Let 2026 be the year you embrace the single-digit temperatures and try something new. Who knows? Maybe you and your dog(s) will find a synchronized rhythm you never knew you had, leading you to discover yet one more reason to love Michigan winters!