SKIJORING GEAR
Skijoring is a growing sport that combines dog sledding and cross-country skiing (or in-line skating). Your dog wears a harness and you wear the Ultra Paws patented Skijor Belt around your hips and the two are connected with a tow line. And then off you go!
Skijoring is a sport where you cross-country ski or in-line skate behind one to three dogs that are attached to you with a tow line that has a shock cord sewn into it to cushion you from jerking as the dog pulls.
Skijoring is a winter dog- or horse-powered sport popularized in North America and derived from the Scandinavian sport of pulka. It involves a horse or from one to three dogs hitched directly to a human being on skis. Skijoring can also take place behind a snowmobile or an all terrain carrier such as the Bandvagn 206. In this case, several skiers or soldiers can be towed on the same rope. The rope is passed around the skiers skipoles and continues to the next person in line. Skiers then preferably hang on to their skipoles, supported by their arms. Straddling the rope, and "sitting" on the skipoles as shown on the "Skijoring in Norway" link is not advisable, since this means you can't easily let go of the rope in case of a fall.
While skijoring behind a dog, the person wears a wide waistband with a clip for attaching a lead, which is attached to the harness worn by the dog. The dog provides extra power to the skier, who uses either a classic cross-country technique, or the faster skate skiing technique. Unlike regular cross-country skiing, the skis are hot waxed from tip to tail, to avoid slowing the dog team down.
Any dog over the age of one year, and in general good health, can pull a skijorer. The classic northern breeds, such as Siberian and Alaskan huskies, Malamutes, Inuit dogs, take to skijoring with glee. However, any pet dog is capable of enjoying this. Border collies, Golden Retrievers, Giant Schnauzers, Labs, and many cross-breeds are seen in harness.
The dogs are taught the classic mushing commands to start running (hike), turn (gee and haw), and stop. Training is best done on foot, before the person straps on their skis, to avoid being pulled into objects, like trees or half-frozen creeks.
Skijoring features in the 1998 film Silver Wolf, starring Michael Biehn and Roy Scheider.
Skijoring was a demonstration sport in the 1928 Winter Olympics.
Variations of skijoring include snowboarding while hitched to a dog, and "grassjoring," skijoring on grassy fields rather than snow. Ultra Paws has manufacturered Skijor equipment for many years and have some of the most comfortable, durable and effective gear you’ll find anywhere. Their equipment has been designed by skijor champions and perfected by extensive testing. They are the only company offering the Skijor belt with a patented quick release.
Choose for one or two-dog pulling, for everything you need to get started in this amazing sport. Ultra Paws skijor belt is fully padded with a tacky fabric to keep the belt in place, reflective strips for higher visibility, and available in five sizes to fit most youth or adults. The high-quality X-Back dog harness in 20 different sizes is standard with your package. Your tow-line has a generous amount of arctic bungee to cushion your dog's pull.
Our skijoring equipment was designed with support from skijorers who understand the needs of the sport. Our Skijoring Hip Belt includes a generous fanny pack with straps to add a water bottle and reflective strips.
Don't forget to protect the dogs feet with our Ultra Paws, the ice and snow can be hard on them as well. We have 4 different styles to choose from.
You can get started in this sport for under $100 (excluding your dog) so don’t settle for rock climbing belts, waist belts, unpadded belts or belts without leg straps. As a beginner, you need to start with the right equipment. We guarantee you’ll be happy you purchased from Ultra Paws.
Our equipment is perfect for the recreational skijorer but is also designed and manufactured with the hard-core skijoring competitor in mind.
Skijoring Sliding X-Back Pulling Harness w/Nylon
Skijoring Ultra Paws Dog Boots
