All Things Dog Blog

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Fido Friendly's Top Ten Ski Resorts, Part II of III

Guest post by Carol Bryant, FIDO Friendly Magazine

The Mountain Top Inn and Resort: Chittenden, Vermont: Near the Green Mountain National Forest, this inn extends itself to the traveling-with-Fido folks. Boasting breathtaking views of 350 acres, the Mountain Top Inn welcomes Fido in their rustic-style cabins. For families getting away on a ski vacation, consider the four-bedroom Horseshoe Ridge cabin that accommodates up to 10 people and is Fido friendly.

On check-in, dogs receive a dog bed, bowls and a welcome snack. Dogs must be leashed but can join guardians on hiking and cross-country ski trails. A minimal $25 per pet per night charge applies.

The Mountain Top Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Center is one of the first cross-country commercial ski touring centers in the eastern section of the country. Horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice skating, sledding hills and snowmobiling offers something for every member of the family. For Fido, ask about specific hiking and cross-country trails upon which to enjoy.

Snow King Resort: Jackson Hole, Wyoming: Fido is welcome on the first floor of this Jackson Hole, snow-filled adventure resort. Conveniently located six blocks from downtown Jackson, restaurants, shopping and skiing are nearby. Fido is welcome to snowshoe and cross-country ski with you, as they are surrounded by national parks.

Jackson Hole is considered the gateway to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. If dog sledding is more your cup of tea, snuggle up and say mush, as dog sledding through scenic Jackson Hole terrain is offered here. How cool would it be to break for lunch and take a warm soak or swim at Granite Hot Springs?

Reward Fido for being your powder hound and venture into town together. Many years ago, Jackson’s Town Square was a hub of activity for life’s essentials. Nowadays, the area abounds with specialty shops, locally made crafts, galleries and plenty of outdoor shops. Leave No Dog nor souvenir behind.

Hotel Jerome: A Rock Resort, Aspen, Colorado: Imagine four mountains coming together to form one giant ski resort, and those mountains are Aspen, Buttermilk, Snowmass and Aspen Highlands. These four mountains await with multi-mountain ski passes for guests staying at Hotel Jerome. In addition, an indoor ice skating rink, The Silver Circle, is available to guests.

Explore the enveloping mountains with Fido in tow while snowshoeing through the snowy landscape. Canine guests can expect a Hotel Jerome pet bed and signature food and water dishes on check-in. Specially designed Scout’s Honor menus feature delicacies upon which Fido can dine during their posh stay at this Rock Resort.

Areas for careful off-leash play time with Fido include the Rio Grande Park, Wagner Park, Smuggler Mountain Road and Marolt Open Space.

Get your shopping mojo on and visit the downtown pedestrian mall. At the corner of Hyman and Mill, fountains spurt to and fro. Many of the stores allow Fido inside. Learn more at www.normankoren.com/Boulder.html.

The Inn at Pocono Manor: Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania: A serene getaway resort in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania, the Inn at Pocono Manor is touted as the only historic Fido-friendly inn of the Pocono Mountains. Within driving distance of several ski mountains, 250 guest suites are themed in this century-old hotel but with modern flare and touches.

If visiting during the kickoff of a Christmas shopping season (aka Black Friday), take Fido and head to the annual downtown Stroudsburg tree lighting. Do the jingle bell rock with Fido alongside as the spirit of the holidays begins.

Nearby ski resorts include Alpine Mountain, Blue Mountain, Camelback Mountain Resort, Jack Frost (Big Boulder), Shawnee Mountain, Ski Big Bear and Tanglwood.

Fido is welcome to explore the grounds of The Inn at Pocono Manor with you. Call ahead to each resort for activities that allow pets. Bring the snowshoes and a camera for plenty of pawprint pictures in the snow. Conveniently located less than two hours from New York and New Jersey, the Inn is easily accessible.

Next week we'll wrap up this series with Part III, visiting Canada and Colorado. Be sure to join us for these exquisite ski destinations, where you'll be able to indulge your Fido with some fluffy, white fun.

Did you miss Part I? Check it out at the link to make sure you don't miss the perfect resort for you and your pup.

Highlands/Buttermilk on Dwellable

For more FIDO Friendly content, subscribe to the magazine at www.fidofriendly.com and visit our blog at http://blog.fidofriendly.com.

Looking for warmer destinations? Check out Carrie's suggestions for roving with your Rover in Central Florida. You might also enjoy checking in with Carrie's pack at their blog, 5 Minutes for Fido, where they always have an opinion.

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Sunday, December 12, 2010

FIDO Friendly's Top 10 Ski Resorts,
Part I of III

Guest post by Carol Bryant, Fido Friendly Magazine

M.S. reader copyright

Join Libby for a Little White Stuff

Powder hounds rejoice! FIDO Friendly's got your destination snow-cation just in time for wintertime fun. Slaloms and slopes, poles and puppies. Puppies? You read right! FIDO Friendly magazine clears the snow pathway to uncover the top 10 ski destinations that welcome both two-legged and four-legged varieties. So strap on those boots, bindings and barky best friend and head for the white stuff. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

The Mountain Lodge at Telluride, Colorado: Truly epitomizing the mantra, Leave No Dog Behind®, the 13-minute gondola ride between Gondola and Mountain Village is free to pedestrians. Hang onto your ski poles because Fido is welcome to ride in specially marked cabins on the gondola. The Galloping Good, Telluride’s shuttle bus system, allows leashed Fido to cruise to his next destination.

Mountain Lodge at Telluride is conveniently located between two ski runs. An array of condo rentals, lodge rooms and log-and-stone cabins make for cozy warmth and scenic mountain memories. Unleash worries and star gaze with Fido at the 14,000-foot peaks of Colorado's San Juan Mountain Range. When our publisher visited, she saw more dogs than people using the gondola. Hitching posts for Fido are scattered about town including at restaurants.

Considered the ultimate mountain resort experience, Mountain Lodge at Telluride is located near specialty shops, including many that are pet-friendly and focused. Spaniel snow globe, anyone?

Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth Lakes, California: While at Mammoth Lakes, Fido is also welcome to take a gondola ride up the mountain as well as engage in hiking and water play. Touting more than 400 inches of annual snowfall, eternal winter fans are never disappointed. Winter becomes an approximate six-month season here. Take a peek at www.mammothdogs.com/ for all things Fido while visiting the area.

More the cross-country skier and want to take Fido along? Mammoth Lakes makes a perfect locale to do so. Trails beginning at the Mammoth Visitors Center and merge with other longer trails as you and leashed Fido make snow tracks (and perhaps a few snow angels).

Nearby Mammoth Mountain Ski Area offers 29 lifts, 2 gondolas and 3,100 vertical feet on 3,500 acres. Dogs are welcome to take the gondola ride in the summer months. Nearby Shady Rest Park and Trail welcomes cross-country skiers with their powder hounds as well.

At the end of a long snowy day, seek respite in the rustic mountain charm that is Westin Monache Resort. Each of the 230 guest suites offers comforts and conveniences of home boasting a gas fireplace and plush beds, and most have a gorgeous mountain view. Snuggle up Fido, this view’s for you!

Lake Placid Lodge, Lake Placid, NY: Considered the jewel of the Adirondack Mountains, this lodge is five miles of Fido-friendly fun for the taking. In the winter months, downhill and cross-country skiing is available, but so is visiting Lake Placid Olympic venues, snowshoeing, bonfires and Smores making.

The Adirondack Mountains provide 6 million acres for exploration and winter fun. With 2,000 miles of hiking and ski trails, you and Fido can explore the largest marked trail in the United States.

At Lake Placid Lodge, dogs are welcome in the cabins. Take a trek through the trails and don’t fear getting lost: Maggie, the general manager’s Golden Retriever, will ensure you find your way back safely. Upon check-in, freshly laundered beds and bowls are provided for Fido’s use. The lake is frozen in winter months, so cross-country skiing and snowshoeing (er, pawing) are two activities Fido would love to join in with you.

Love dogs but don’t have one or need a puppy fix? Consider a dog sled tour. In the nearby town of Vermontville, New York, Thunder Mountain Dog Sled Tours provides some off-the-beaten path fun. Blankets are provided to cut the chill, and a walk onto Mirror Lake will assist in spotting the dogs in action.

Highlands/Buttermilk on Dwellable

Join us here at All Things Dog Blog next week for Part II in this series when we'll visit with resorts in Vermont, Wyoming and Colorado. Three more in Part III and you'll be ready to choose a Winter ski destination, keeping Fido in mind as well.

For more FIDO Friendly content, subscribe to the magazine at www.fidofriendly.com and visit our blog at http://blog.fidofriendly.com.

Thanks to Marissa for sharing Libby's picture. Be sure to check out Tanner's mopey commentary over at 5 Minutes for Fido. He sure would like to play in the snow!

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