At a glance
Ski-joering, or skiing pulled by an animal, is a practice that's becoming increasingly popular in winter sports resorts.
Ski-joering (skijoring), or skiing pulled by an animal, is a practice that's becoming increasingly popular in winter sports resorts.
Since "time immemorial", people living in snowy countries have used animals not only to pull sledges loaded with people or equipment, but also to cover long distances on skis pulled by reindeer, dogs or horses.
Before the arrival of motorised equipment (including ski lifts), this method of travel was also used to climb slopes for skiing.
In recent years, ski-joering has also become a way of enjoying "off-piste" skiing in an enjoyable, original and completely safe way.
From a competitive sport to a leisure activity
For several decades now, ski-joering has been a competitive sport with various international championships.
The skier performs sporting moves such as the slalom or the sprint while being pulled by a horse, by dogs (sled dogs such as huskies, samoyeds or malamutes, but also any other sturdy breed of dog such as shepherds, labradors, mastiffs, giant schnauzers, etc.) or by a motor vehicle (snowmobile or car).
Towards the end of the 20th century, this competitive sport also became a leisure activity offered to tourists in many winter sports resorts.
An activity for young and old
Younger children are pulled (at a reduced speed) by a small horse (pony, Shetland), while adults use a larger horse.
The person completes the course on skis (small ones, so as not to hinder the horse) or on a sledge. While it's fairly simple to do, ski-joering nevertheless requires basic skiing skills: being able to stand on skis, turn, brake and stop.
More and more resorts are offering this type of activity, which lets you discover snowy landscapes in a different way than by skiing or cross-country skiing. A dream for those who want to combine skiing with contact with an animal.
Tempted?
If you're going on a winter holiday, ask the local tourist office or the riding centre at your resort whether it's possible to do this activity there, or whether it's available in the area.
It's even possible to try it in Belgium, in Saint-Hubert (Hurtebise), when there's snow!
