Skijouring, a Scandinavian sport that incorporates dogs, skis and someone to strap themself in and be towed behind, is jockeying for a spot as one of the South Cariboo's winter sports.
Craig Conklin, 100 Mile House veterinarian, has been a fan of skijouring for just a year but he's hooked and would like to see the South Cariboo adopt it as it's own.
The equipment and the technique are both simple. You need a dog with a weight of at least 30 pounds who likes to run and be in the outdoors, a harness for the dog, a skijouring belt for yourself and a pair of cross country skis. It's an inexpensive sport to get into says Conklin. He picked up his skis at a second hand store and the belt and harness came in at about $150.
He and his Gordon setter spent last winter touring local trails and he says that cross country ski or snowmobile trails are ideal.
"Dogs love it," says Conklin. "Mine gets so excited to get going."
While traditional sled dog types like huskies might come to mind, Conklin says the that the majority of dogs being used are actually border collies. He says their medium size is not a problem.
"You'll be helping them out going uphill, but going downhill, you'll be working to keep up."
He says for the recreational skijourer, it's not important to be fast, but more-so, to have fun.
Conklin would like to teach other people about the sport and says The Hills Health Ranch is coming on board with an offer to groom trails for skijour use.
He plans on getting together with others as a club throughout the winter on a casual basis and doesn't want people to fear that they're making a big commitment.
"There won't be meetings or anything. I just want people to have fun and learn."
To find out more, contact Conklin at 250-706-9484.