Ski With Your Dog
One of the benefits of skiing at the club is that you can bring your dog along for some exercise. However, dog owners are responsible for the behaviour of their dog(s) at all times.
Some changes were made in February 2009 that restricted access with dogs in the vicinity of the Wax Room After an open meeting and considering feedback from members, the club executive made a decision that will provide modified access to the Wax Room plus three other options for parking and access to the trails with dogs. For information about the club's policy please scroll down to the bottom.
Reminders
- Dogs must be leashed in parking areas. (City Bylaw) Please keep your dog on a leash until past Telemark Hill. This will improve the safety for all skiers.
- Skiers are encouraged to use the Hamilton Boulevard parking area to avoid the stadium. Day passes or season pass required.
Dog Rules and Regulations
- Dogs are not permitted in the vicinity of the Wax Room entrance.
- Skiers are allowed to take a maximum of two dogs on the following trails: Ketza Connector, Dog Trail, Copper Trail from Harvey’s Hut to Copper Haul Road, Lower & Upper Valley and connectors, and Logan Burn Trail.
- There are four access points for skiers with dogs: Mt McIntyre Rec Centre Parking Lot, Canada Games Centre Parking lot at the Stadium Trailhead, Sumanik Drive near the new Dirt Jump Park and the Hamilton Boulevard alternate parking lot. At the trailheads, please keep dogs on a leash, use the tie-up area, and clean up all dog waste. There are waste receptacles and bags provided. See diagrams below for Access point details.
- Dog owners are responsible for their dogs and assume the risk that other dogs will be encountered on these trails.
- Please keep dogs under control when approaching or overtaking other skiers and use a leash where requested.
- Please remove dog feces from trail surface. In the stadium area, pick up and place waste in the receptacle provided. THERE IS A DISPENSER WITH PLASTIC BAGS PROVIDED AT THE TRAILHEADS. In other areas it is sufficient to 'flick' waste off the trail and into the bush.
- Dog owners are subject to City Bylaws.
- Dogs must be on a leash in parking areas and on Dog Trail to Telemark Hill.
- The rules are in effect throughout the ski season, as long as there is snow on the trails.
NOTE: Before taking your dog(s) on the ski trails make sure you read and understand the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club's Dog Policy 
.
Cross Country Canada Insurance Policy Regarding Dog Owner Responsibility
Dog owners can face serious legal issues if they are found liable while skiing with their dog(s) on the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club trails. Make sure you read and understand Cross Country Canada's Insurance Policy Regarding Dog Owner Responsibility before heading out on the trails with your dog(s).
Canine Good Neighbour Test
The Canadian Canine Good Neighbour Test™ is a certification program that tests and identifies dogs that have the training and demeanor to be reliable family members as well as good-standing community members. The program tests dogs in simulated everyday situations in a relaxed atmosphere and is open to both purebred and mixed-breed dogs.
Dog owners are encouraged to take the Canine Good Neighbour Test.
The WCCSC Dog Policy as of February 2009.
Updates to the Dog Policy June 2009
In February 2009 the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club instituted a ban on dogs in the vicinity of the wax room, for health and safety reasons. The board felt obliged to make this decision, but acknowledged that members should be involved in seeking longer term solutions. Members were asked to submit their suggestions and to attend a public meeting, held in late March. Based on this feedback, the executive looked at a range of options and has agreed to the following updated policy.
1. The ban of dogs from the trails in the vicinity of the wax room will continue.
Skiers with dogs will be able to access the Dog trail from the following trail heads:
A. Skiers may walk their dogs from the Mt. McIntyre parking lot around the west and south sides of the curling rink, to a tie-up area adjacent to Chalet Trail. (Point A on the map,immediately south of the curling rink.) Dogs, on leash, may be escorted from here southwards over the overpass and then down Ketza Connector to Dog Trail. (Dogs are prohibited north of the tie up area).
B. Skiers with dogs may continue to park in the Canada Games Centre parking lot (Stadium Trailhead) and access Dog Trail via the edge of the stadium. (Point B on map). This is the least desirable option as the stadium is very busy and there is potential for conflicts with other skiers.
C. Skiers with dogs are allowed to access Dog Trail via a portion of Copper Trail and Ketza Connector by parking along the Valleyview Reservoir road”. (Point C on map)
D. The club now has a Licence of Occupation for the Hamilton Boulevard parking area and permission from Kwanlin Dun to access the lot. The club will ensure that snow is cleared from the parking area. Garbage can and poop bags provided. Please use a leash in the parking area. This is the preferred access point, but a day pass or membership must be purchased before using the trails. (Point D on map).
Please read a summary of the comments that were received by the board between February 2009 and April 2009.
