Dogs at Crosscut
Sharing the Trails with Your Best Friend
Crosscut welcomes well-behaved dogs on our trails in winter and summer. Please follow the rules and use good trail manners to keep the experience great for everyone.
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Clean Up Duty: Always pick up after your pup on every trail, every season. This is non-negotiable — waste left behind affects everyone who uses the trails.
Well-Behaved Dogs Only: Crosscut has a zero-tolerance policy for dogs that act aggressively toward people or other dogs.
Stay Under Control: Dogs should be leashed or on a firm heel in the Base Area to avoid mishaps with cars, and under voice or leash control everywhere else on the trails.
Off-Limits Areas: Dogs are not allowed inside the Nordic & Trail Center or in the Event Stadium (the biathlon range isn't a safe place for dogs). Gnomadic trail is also closed to dogs (high-speed bikes and dogs don't mix).
Freedom to Roam: Beyond those exceptions, dogs may accompany their owners on all trails, in both winter and summer.
Check Before You Come: Trail and Dog Days status can change. Check our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram), drop us an email, or give us a call (406-586-9690) if you're not sure whether dogs are welcome that day.
We Reserve the Right: Crosscut may ban a specific dog from visiting if the dog's or owner's behavior is judged inappropriate.
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Because dog traffic is harder on trail conditions than skiing alone, Dog Days often open later in the season than regular trail access. Once Dog Days are open, well-behaved dogs are welcome:
starting at 3PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays for season pass holders
from 3-8PM on Mondays and Saturdays, and 3-4PM on Wednesdays for day pass users
from 4-8PM on Mondays and Saturdays for night pass users
Please check our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram), drop us an email, or give us a call (406-586-9690) if you aren’t sure if Dog Days are open
Pass Required
Once winter Dog Days open, Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays after 3pm are for the dogs. Pass required.
Sometimes Dog Days open later than people days in winter
It takes much more snow to protect trails from dog paws than it does for skiing alone. Because paws can punch through several inches of snow, we need a deep, solid base before grooming can effectively erase paw prints. Dog traffic too early can expose debris or even bare ground which can damage ski bases and cause trails to deteriorate faster later in the season. When dark debris gets mixed into the snow, it absorbs more sunlight (due to its low albedo), leading to faster melting and a shorter ski season for everyone.
