Blue clear skies, the sun is shining and the snow is sparkling: What is more beautiful than a relaxing walk with the dog? Deep snowy forests and white powder snow have a very special charm for dog and owner.
So that the winter vacation with dog becomes however for all a beautiful experience and the dog is well armed for the snow and against the cold, it should be planned in each case carefully. General tips for handling your four-legged friend in winter, e.g. the typical "snow eating", can be found in our article "Dogs in the winter - 9 important tips".
For any kind of travel with a dog (not only in winter), we have compiled a checklist for holidays with your four-legged friend. Just click on the link at the end of this article.
What does your dog need during winter vacation?
When planning a winter vacation with your dog, you should consider that your dog needs a few things for his health and well-being. As you are usually outdoors with your dog all day during your winter vacation, the strain of the cold cannot be compared to walks at home. For dogs with short fur or a thin layer of fat, dog clothing that protects against wetness and cold is a must. Paw shoes are also recommended in winter, especially during long walks in the snow, to protect the paws from road salt and the cold. Another useful way to protect the paws is a paw balm, like our "Paw Care - Paw Balm". It consists of 100% high-quality organic ingredients, can be used all year round and is even suitable for men to care for their skin (more tips on this topic can be found under the link Paw Care in Winter). Not to forget, of course, your four-legged friend's favourite toys and, if possible, his dog bed, so that he feels at home in his new and unfamiliar surroundings as quickly as possible.
Skiing holidays with your dog: Activities with your dog in skiing areas
The classic ski vacation as most people know it, is unfortunately not so well suited for a vacation with a dog, since dogs are generally forbidden on the ski slopes. A dog running around on the slopes would endanger itself and other skiers. This means that on a skiing vacation the dog would be alone in the hotel or vacation home all day, which is of course not optimal. There are however so-called dog cross-country trails, which allow the dogs to accompany their owners when skiing. And also other winter sports are wonderfully suitable as a common activity for dogmums/dogdads and the dog. These include snowshoeing, sledding or hiking.
Winter vacation with your dog in a group
If you decide for a classic ski vacation with your dog you should consider if it would be possible for you to travel with a group or your family, because with a larger group there is always someone who doesn't want to go to the ski slopes every day or even grandparents who only come to see the beautiful snow-covered cities in the area. If this is the case and the person is willing to take care of your four-legged friend a little bit, you can spend the day relaxed and without a bad conscience on the ski slopes while your dog is busy, and in the evening you can hold him in your arms again.
Winter vacation with dog at the sea
An alternative, and not at all a bad one, to the classic winter vacation in the mountains, is a vacation at the beach. Just now in times of Corona where one would like to travel reluctantly to the other end of the world, the North Sea and Baltic Sea offer themselves for a calm winter vacation at the sea. The beautiful wide beaches are hardly visited here between November and December and more beaches are designated as dog beaches than in summer. Our four-legged friends are also much less sensitive to cold than we humans, which is why many dogs enjoy even a short bath in the freezing cold sea (But be careful: always have a towel at hand, because a wet dog quickly catches cold in cold temperatures).
If you want to escape snow and sub-zero temperatures in Northern and Central Europe, a vacation home in Spain or on the Cote d'Azur might be the right thing for you. You can also find a travelogue about a vacation with your dog on the Cote d'Azur on our blog, feel free to have a look and get some inspiration.
Travelling with a dog: Hotel and location recommendations
We have put together our favorite accommodations with dogs for you and maybe there is something for this year's winter vacation for one or the other.
Holidays with a dog on Sylt: Hotel Aarnhoog Sylt
The small boutique hotel on Sylt in Keitum with 11 beautifully designed rooms is a good way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and relax in a quiet atmosphere. The hotel is only a few minutes walk from the Wadden Sea, has a beautiful garden with many places of retreat and has a large spa area, including indoor pool, sauna, steam bath, whirlpool and heated loungers.
Accommodation with dog is possible in selected rooms and costs 16 Euro per night extra. But your four-legged friend will be provided with everything he needs. Besides dog bowls, sleeping pillows and extra dog towels, there are of course some treats waiting for you in your room. Since one becomes usually also somewhat dirty when raving on the beach, the hotel Aarnhoog Sylt has a dog washing place at that you your four-legged friend again salonfähig gets.
Travelling to Bavaria with your dog: Hotel Bärenhof - Vacation Resort
If you are looking for a vacation resort for humans and dogs, you will find it here. The small family-run hotel in Bavaria has specialized in vacations with dogs for 20 years and really offers everything a dog's heart desires. Dogs are welcome here even in the restaurant area and do not have to pay extra per night.
On the 70,000 square meter large area you will find a swimming pond, dog meadows and an activity area. For small runaways there is also a fenced area of about 1000 square meters to let off steam. In addition, the entrance to a dog track borders on the property. And as if that wasn't enough to make every dog's heart beat faster, there is an indoor dog course and an indoor archery range for rainy days. Of course you will also find bowls, dog towels and beds in the rooms.
Skiing holiday in Ischgl with a dog: Hotel Fliana
A beautiful design hotel in Ischgl, with an extensive dog-friendly offer. There is indeed a separate dining room for us and our dogs, countless hiking possibilities in the Tyrolean mountains and not to forget a welcome gift for every four-legged friend. The hotel also has a mobile dog school, dog care and a professional dog washing facility with hot water and dryer.
We hope, that we could give you some tips and ideas for planning your winter vacation with your dog. If you have your own hotel recommendations, please feel free to write them in the comments!
Click here for our checklist for travelling with your dog!
