Dog Trail

On our Canine Trail

The new Dog Friendly trails are on private land and was constructed with funds donated by the owner. We owe the land owner tremendous appreciation for his generosity in allowing access and donating funds for the construction of the trail.”

The 2022/23 season’s trial dog loop on Sentinel and Woodlot Ramble was positively received by an overwhelming majority of LHNS members. Consequently, this loop will also continue to be open to dogs, making for a total of approximately 7 km of dog trails.

NOTE: Dogs will NOT be allowed on ANY Saturday mornings (before noon) and on race days.

Dog owners are encouraged to park near the dog trail access. Non-members must sign in and pay the day-use fee at the dog trail entrance.

Dogs must be on a leash in the parking lot but may be off leash on the trails. Dogs are also welcome on snowshoe trails and can be off leash. Dogs must be on leash if crossing the stadium to access snowshoe trails.

We are all responsible for keeping Larch Hills clean, safe, and fun.

  • Please keep your dog under control at all times.
  • Your dog must be on leash in the designated parking area and on the way to the trail.
  • Your dog may be off leash on the trail.
  • A maximum of 2 dogs are allowed per skier or snowshoer.
  • Please scoop the poop and remove it promptly from the trail surface. Shovels are available along the route or bring your own.
  • Skiers with dogs must ski the far (Sentinel/Woodlot Ramble) loop in a counter clockwise direction only. The closer (Dogging It) loop can be skied in either direction. The loops are both open in either direction to skiers without dogs.
  • Use extreme caution on two-way sections of the trail and ski in control at all times.
  • Walking or snowshoeing on ski trails is not allowed. Please use the snowshoe trails instead.
  • Use the trails responsibly and be aware that access for dogs can be terminated for safety or other reasons at any time at the discretion of the executive.

Feedback is encouraged. Please send your comments and suggestions to manager@skilarchhills.ca

TESTIMONIALS :

Thank you so much for the Doggin It extension and for the tracked route through the clearcut above the top dog loop. It is so nice to be able to get a longer ski in with multiple route options with Chase and not have to leave him in the truck for part of the day.
This is a great addition to the ski area. Graham Archer

We just moved to the area and, I was delighted to find your dog loop had become well worth the effort of getting up there with my pooch. What a great improvement!  I love I can take him off leash.  I went ahead and bought my membership.  Thanks! Deborah Boulton


Dog Trail History and LHNS Canine Committee Summary Report

The LHNS Canine Trail Committee has been active since February 2011. The 2011/12 Salmar/Sunshine Canine Pilot Trail was endorsed by general membership vote in November 2011, and adopted as an ongoing canine trail at the March 2012 LHNS Annual General Meeting.

Based on predominantly positive feedback and requests for specific improvements, the LHNS Canine Committee was asked by the executive to propose a canine trail for the 2012/2013 season.

The committee proposed that the current trail be extended to Tom’s Cabin and include one or both of Skyview and Sentinel loops.

At the Dec. 4, 2012 general meeting, the LHNS executive reiterated its support for the current 800 metre Salmar/Sunshine Canine Trail, and reported that it did not support the Canine Committee proposals for improvement. No other proposals were brought forward at that time.

In 2013/2014 there was a new proposal which was voted down by the members of LHNS.  That proposal may be seen here.

The Land Use and Trail Planning Committee is currently looking at potential options for an expanded dog trail for the 2021-2022 ski season.

In 2022-2023, a trial for an expanded loop was instituted.

Full Report and Proposals of the 2011/12 Larch Hills Canine Trail Committee