Ski Resorts That Welcome Dogs in Winter

Posted by Erin Ballinger

If Fido enjoys romping in the snow, now’s the time to plan a winter getaway to a pet-friendly ski resort. Do you want to snuggle with your pup next to a roaring fire while you watch the snowfall and sip hot cocoa in the ski lodge? Or would you rather spend the day on backcountry trails cross-country skiing or snowshoeing with your dog before retreating to a rustic cottage for s’mores by the fire pit? Whichever your preference, these pet-friendly resorts have you covered.

Justin Trails Resort

Sparta, WI
Skijor with Fido at Justin Trails Resort. Photo by Joe Michl

With more than 200 acres of open fields and forests, your pooch will have plenty of space for off-leash frolicking at Justin Trails Resort in Sparta, WI. Accommodations range from primitive campsites to deluxe cabins with full kitchens, offering a lodging option for any budget. Rates include most on-site activities and a hearty breakfast featuring scrambled eggs, French toast, homemade granola and other tasty treats. For Fido, there’s even a fenced dog park on the premises! Enjoy the brisk winter weather during a snowshoeing or skijoring adventure with your pup on the resort’s 10-mile trail system. Not sure how to skijor? The owners, Don and Donna Justin, can give your dog a private lesson. In less than an hour, he’ll be pulling you along the ¾-mile groomed Dog Loop on skis!

Justin Trails Resort welcomes three pets of any size for an additional fee of $39 per pet, per night. Nightly rates during the winter season start at $252.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch

Avon, CO
Treat your pup to German Shepherd’s Pie by the fire. Photo by @oscarintheworld

Centrally located in Vail Valley, The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch offers a plethora of dog-friendly activities. Furry guests are presented with a dog packet at check-in and are given an overstuffed dog bed, logoed dog bowl, gourmet treats and a “Pet in Room” sign for use during their stay. The resort also provides luxurious services like in-room massages, dog-friendly guided snowshoe tours, and doggie room service with menu items like top sirloin with scrambled eggs and rice, chicken breast with rice and tomato, and German Shepherd's Pie made with ground lamb, peas and carrots. Pets are allowed in the resort lobby, guest rooms and the outdoor patios at WYLD and Buffalos. During your stay, learn how to skijor during a private lesson with Louisa Morrissey of High Country Dogs in nearby Vail.

The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch welcomes two dogs of any size for an additional fee of $125 for the first three nights, and $50 for each additional night. Winter nightly rates start at $899.

Fireside Lodge Bed and Breakfast

South Lake Tahoe, CA
Welcome to my cabin. Photo by @hazelzworld

Dogs are welcome at Fireside Lodge Bed and Breakfast, a log-cabin-style inn located in South Lake Tahoe. Each room is decorated in a unique country mountain theme and comes equipped with a fireplace. The inn backs up to a national forest which has miles of hiking trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to McP's Taphouse, where dogs are allowed outside year-round on the heated patio for brews, burgers and live music. Head back to the hotel before 9 p.m. to enjoy a complimentary s’mores roast. In the morning, refuel at the Lodge’s ample breakfast bar, stocked with bagels, waffles and oatmeal.

Fireside Lodge Bed and Breakfast welcomes pets of any size for an additional fee of $35 per pet, per night. Winter nightly rates start at $213.

Sunriver Resort

Sunriver, OR
No two snowflakes taste the same! Photo by Facebook.com/heartprintproductions

Located at the base of the Cascade Mountains in central Oregon, Sunriver is a 3,300-acre community that Fido is sure to love. When you check in at Sunriver Resort, your dog will receive a welcome package filled with treats, a water bowl and puppy pads. If you enjoy cross-country skiing with your pup, you’ll have hundreds of off-leash trails to choose from in the surrounding Deschutes National Forest. Or check out Wanoga Snow Play Area’s Sno-Park, which has pooch-friendly trails and a tubing hill nearby.

Sunriver Resort welcomes pets of any size for an additional fee of $65 for one night and $10 for each additional night. Winter nightly rates start at $157.

The Lodge at Spruce Peak

Stowe, VT
Chillin’ on the slopes. Photo by @ericaciaraldi

The small New England of Stowe, VT is world-famous for its ski slopes. The Lodge at Spruce Peak provides canine guests with a welcome amenity of a plush dog bed and chew toy at check-in. Hit the ski trails for the day and bring your dog along to wait at the base of the slopes with a family member while you carve the snow. Afterwards, refresh at Fritz Bar and Restaurant. Dogs are welcome to join you at the shady outdoor tables, where you can enjoy Bavarian-style eats and an array of canned brews, specialty cocktails, and wine by the glass.

The Lodge at Spruce Peak welcomes two dogs with a combined weight of 100 pounds for an additional fee of $125 per stay. Nightly rates during the winter season start at $809.

Hyatt Place Keystone

Keystone, CO
Hanging by the hot tub après-ski at the Hyatt Place Keystone. Photo by @kristy_kritter

Hyatt Place Keystone is an ideal base for an outdoor adventure in Colorado. Fido is greeted with a treat and is welcome to lounge by the fireplace of the lobby bar while you enjoy a cocktail and nosh on bar bites. Ski and snowshoe with your canine at the Keystone Nordic Center, which has trails located conveniently behind the hotel. Leashed dogs can run on certain trails during operating hours.

Hyatt Place Keystone welcomes two pets up to 50 pounds for an additional fee of $75 per stay of one to six nights. Winter nightly rates start at $439.

Emerson Resort & Spa

Mount Tremper, NY
"I'm bullish on winter." Photo by Facebook.com/emersonresort

Scenic vistas, pristine trails and epic views await you and your pooch on a vacation to Emerson Resort & Spa. Located in Mount Tremper in the Catskills Mountains, the resort offers designated pet-friendly rooms at both the inn and the lodge. Share a snowy expedition on any hiking trail in the area, including Mount Tremper Trail. At just under 6 miles, this out-and-back hike is rated difficult and rewards perseverance with stunning views from the top. For off-leash fun, return to the resort and let Fido loose at Catamount Dog Park, a fenced-in area with a dog run, doggy shower and small dog section. When hunger strikes, sit down and refuel together at Woodnotes Grille. The resort’s restaurant serves up doggy delicacies on the Pup Fare menu, including chicken breast, grass-fed burger patty, and even a New York strip steak.

Emerson Resort & Spa welcomes dogs for an additional fee of $40 per pet, per night. Winter nightly rates start at $361.

Savage River Lodge

Frostburg, MD
Sniff out some snow in Frostburg. Photo by Facebook.com/SavageRiverLodge

Spend some quality time with your furry friend on a winter getaway to Savage River Lodge in Frostburg, MD. From being treated to homemade dog biscuits each morning to indulging in the Bone Appetit menu that includes canine casserole and mutt meatballs, Savage River Lodge treats visiting pets like VIPs. Located within the 700-acre Savage River State Forest, the lodge provides a peaceful oasis from the distractions of daily life. Enjoy a winter escape on the cross-country ski trails or take a snowshoe expedition with Fido by your side. In the evening, snuggle up in one of the private, two-story cabins appointed with everything you both need to enjoy a comfortable night.

Savage River Lodge welcomes two pets of any size for an additional fee of $30 per pet, per night. Winter nightly rates start at $300.

Yurts at Riverside Resort

Whistler, BC
"Yurts so good." Photo by @michellebellalifts

Take your best friend glamping this snow season at the Yurts at Riverside Resort. Without running water or electricity, these rustic abodes are a “pawfect” match for nature lovers who want to surround themselves in snow. During the day, head to nearby Whistler Lost Lake Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe Trails, where just under 4 miles of pet-friendly powdery trails await you and your pooch. Then, spend the evening grilling out and staring fondly through the yurt’s skylight at the uninterrupted view of the night sky.

Dogs are welcome at Yurts at Riverside Resort for no additional charge. Winter nightly rates start at $135.

Where do you play in the snow with Fido? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!

Banner photo by @full.fusion.adventures.