Looking for an opportunity to bring along your four-legged friend on a ski vacation? Or just want to spend your midday ski break playing with someone else’s pooch? Learn more about all of the accommodations for doggos and puppers available in Colorado Ski Country.
Uphilling: Dogs are permitted to join their owners for uphill skiing outside of regular operating hours. Dogs must be under control at all times. No dogs are allowed on the mountain during operating hours. Please clean up after your dog.
The Beach: Well-known as one of the best spots to kick back in Colorado, Arapahoe Basin’s Early Riser parking lot is home to a stretch of prime real estate known as “The Beach.” Furry friends are invited to join in on the beach fun. All dogs must be on a leash and cannot be left unattended. Please clean up after your dog.
Avalanche Dogs: Arapahoe Basin is home to a team of Avalanche Dogs that accompany ski patrol to assist with mountain rescues. These highly trained dogs are certified and work with their owners to keep A-Basin skiers safe. A new member of the Avalanche Dog team, Tikka, has been featured in a viral video.
Summer: Dogs are welcome at A-Basin during the summer, including the Argentine-North Fork Trail, which is open to hikers, mountain bikers, and well-behaved animals. Poop bags are available in the base area; please be sure to pick one up before your hike.
Aspen Snowmass provides a resource of 7 Ways Aspen is a Dog-Friendly Town. Highlights include riding up the gondola, pet-friendly luxury lodging properties, off-leash areas and doggie dining on-the-go.
Uphilling: Each of Aspen Snowmass’ four mountains offers uphill access. At Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass, dogs are prohibited between 7:45 AM – 4:45 PM during the ski season. Before and after operational hours, you may bring your dog on-mountain with you. Please pick up any pet waste and pack it out with you. Dogs are not allowed on Aspen Mountain at any time during or after operational hours during the ski season.
Avalanche Dogs: Aspen Snowmass is home to several Ski Patrol Search and Rescue Dogs. There are eight of them, plus a puppy in training, that are specially trained to find avalanche victims and do other search and rescue work.
MeetZaugg_AspenMtnSkiPatrolDog_HD from Aspen Snowmass on Vimeo.
Dogs are not permitted at Cooper on the mountain or in the base area 24 hours per day, 7 days per week from November 15th to April 15th every year.
However, nearby Leadville offers dozens of dog-friendly places to stay, play and eat with your four-legged friend. If you’re looking to bring your dog along on ski trip to Cooper, don’t miss the dog-friendly rental properties, restaurants, breweries and dog parks of this quaint Colorado town.
Avalanche Dogs: Copper Mountain’s blog tells many stories of the four-legged team members who work to keep Copper guests safe. Don’t miss tales from the trails including avalanche-certified Golden Retriever Mason, black lab puppy Keena, and fun-loving new recruit Baloo.
Dining: Duke was everyone’s friend and he invites you to bring your four legged buddy along with you. With a south-facing patio, Downhill Duke’s is the perfect spot to unbuckle your boots, take in some sun and order one of his famous cocktails. The menu features dog-friendly items and a special patio area where your furry friend can put up their paws after a hard day of romping down the mountain.
As much as Echo would love to invite furry friends to join on the mountain, they cannot allow outside pets for the safety of all Echo guests and the protection of your pooch. However, if you need to get your puppy fix, you’re welcome to say hello to Echo’s official ski paw-trol team: Bernard and Howard. You may see their friendly, furry faces around the mountain from time to time.
Dogs are not permitted at Eldora. However, nearby towns of Nederland and Boulder both have tons of dog-friendly lodging and dining options. Don’t miss one of Boulder’s many off-leash dog parks to wear your pup out after your long day of skiing.
Dogs are not permitted at the base of Granby Ranch or in Granby Ranch’s on-site lodging properties during the winter. In the summer, Granby Ranch hosts one-of-a-kind weddings, and furry friends are always welcomed on the guest list.
Events: Although pets won’t be welcomed at the event, Granby Ranch is hosting a Tacos and Trivia Night on February 17, 2019 to benefit the Grand County Pet Pals. Proceeds will go to the charity, which is also asking for optional donations of kitty litter, dog treats, toys and more.
The town of Granby has several dog-friendly hotels, restaurants and activity centers, including dog-friendly Nordic skiing and snowshoeing trails.
Dogs are not permitted at Hesperus, but the nearby town of Durango is very dog-friendly.
Among the most beloved pups in Colorado Ski Country is Loveland Ski Area’s mascot, Parker the Snow Dog. Parker can occasionally be found on the mountain or at events, and you can follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Loveland is also home to several ski patrol dogs who are trained to perform on-mountain rescues in case of emergency.
Uphilling: If you’d like to bring your own dog along on your visit to Loveland, dogs under voice command are allowed before and after operating hours at Loveland Basin. Loveland requests that you pleasclean upup after your dog and dispose of waste properly. Dogs are not allowed at Loveland Valley.
Monarch offers a comprehensive policy for having your pup on-mountain, which states:
Avalanche Dogs: As for the dogs employed by Monarch, there are several pups trained to assist in emergencies, including avalanches. Monarch offers select opportunities throughout the season to meet the ski patrol dogs and watch them in action, so keep your eye on the event calendar.
The nearby town of Salida is also very dog-friendly, offering dining and accommodations for your furry friends.
Guest dogs are not allowed at Powderhorn Resort, leashed or unleashed, from November 15 through April 30. Powderhorn does “employ” several dogs on their mountain safety team, who assist ski patrol operations.
Summer: During the summer, Powderhorn welcomes four-legged companions, with a few ground rules. Dogs are not permitted on lifts or bike trails – including service dogs. Dogs are also not permitted in the lodge, on deck, or at SlopeSide (excluding service dogs). Dogs must be leashed at all times.
Dog Sledding: Sled dogs from Durango Dog Ranch transport you and your family and friends along a scenic winter wonderland trail, with breathtaking views of Engineer Mountain.
Lodging: Purgatory is a pet-friendly resort; however pets are welcome in specific lodging units only. Your pet is considered a guest and must be declared at check-in.
Summer: The Nature Trail is also available via passenger car from June 11th through September 24th, which makes the route accessible for young children and dogs.
No pups are allowed at Silverton Mountain’s experts-only ski area, but the nearby town of Silverton is very dog-friendly, including several lodging properties that permit furry guests, plus an off-leash dog park.
Uphilling: Dogs (except ADA service dogs) are prohibited during daytime operating hours. During non-operating hours, dogs must be leashed or controlled by voice command. All dogs must wear reflective material and owners must clean up after them.
Dogsitting: Yampa Valley Tail Chasers of Steamboat Springs is a personalized pet care company designed for both locals and tourists alike. Dog walking, doggie day care, pet taxi and in home or overnight pet sitting services are available.
Lodging: Why leave your pets at home when you can bring them along on your Steamboat vacation? Browse pet friendly lodging and book today.
Sunlight does not allow dogs on the mountain at any time during the operating season. However, nearby Glenwood Springs has plenty of options to keep your pooch happy during a ski trip.
Uphilling: In the winter, dogs are not allowed on any trails or any ski lifts during operating hours due to safety concerns. Dogs may ride in approved pet cabins on the Chondola for transportation purposes. Well behaved dogs are welcome to accompany their owners after operating hours following TSG uphill policies.
In the summer, Dogs are approved for use on trails designated for hiking. Persons with dogs shall obey all permanent or temporary closures of terrain, trails, roads, and other portions within Telluride Ski and Golf Resort’s operational boundaries.
At all times, dogs must be under the control of their handler and shall have a harness, leash, or other tether.
Nordic Skiing: Mountain Village grooms approximately eight miles of winter trails to create a quality surface for as many users as possible. The winter trails accommodate skiers, hikers, snowshoers and bikers as well as dogs who are accompanied by a responsible dog owner.
Avalanche Dogs: Telluride employs a team of Avalanche Dogs to assist in mountain safety. Among the team are Lady Bee, Sadie, Mona, Doris, Wiley, and Bajuko. These pups play a unique and critical role in Telluride’s mountain rescue and safety education efforts.
Telluride Avalanche Dogs – 100% GoPro Edit from Telluride Ski Resort on Vimeo.
Telluride also offers an “Avalanche Dog Donation Pass.” Back by popular demand, Telluride will print your dog a Telluride Pass in exchange for a $20 donation to the non-profit organization, Telluride Avalanche Dogs (TAD). Please note: This pass is memorabilia, it does not include lift access or skiing for dogs.
Summer: The Telluride area has dozens of dog-friendly hiking trails accessible during the summer months.
Uphilling: For safety reasons, dogs, including service animals, are never allowed on the ski trails during operating hours. Beginning one hour after the lifts close, up until one hour before the lifts open in the morning, dogs under voice control are allowed on ski trails. It is the responsibility of the owner to remove all waste.
Nordic skiing: With nearly 120km of trails nestled in the pristine and private Ranch Creek valley at the base of the Continental Divide, Devil’s Thumb Ranch allows dogs on leashes on specified dog-friendly trails.
Dog sledding: Provided by Dog Sled Rides of Winter Park, winter Dog Sled Rides are rides where guests sit in a dog sled, guides drive the sled, and the dogs pull the sled on a private trail system. Dog sled rides offer a fun opportunity to take in the beautiful scenery of Winter Park from a unique angle.
Souvenir Pet Pass: Make a donation to the Grand County Pet Pals, a segment of the Grand County Animal Shelter, and you could get a souvenir pet pass for your cat, dog, hamster, whatever animal companion you have at home. Note that this pass does not give lift access.
Summer: Dogs are permitted at Winter Park during the summer and must always be on leash or under voice command at Winter Park Resort or in the Village.
Cross-country skiing: Wolf Creek has nearly 10 kilometers of cross country trails. Tracks are groomed regularly for both classic and skate skiers. Snowshoers are welcome. If you bring your dog, please clean up after it.
Avalanche Dogs: Wolf Creek has several Avalanche Dogs that are on-site to help ski patrol with avalanche rescues.
Lodging: Wolf Creek Ski Area does not have lodging at the base area, but several nearby lodging properties permit dogs.
