Skijoring is a winter sport that combines cross-country skiing with driving a dog team. The term skijoring comes from the Norwegian word skikjøring, meaning “ski driving.” In Norway, dog-powered sports are commonplace, but this sport has now spread to many other countries, Canada included.
The cross-country skier wears a skijoring harness (a wide belt) that attaches to a rope (a tug line), and the dog or dogs wear a dogsledding harness. One skier and one or two dogs work together to slice through the winter countryside.
Skijorers speak to their dogs using a number of commands. Here are just a few:
Gee: Turn right.
Come gee: Swing the team around 180 degrees to the right.
Haw: Turn left.
Come haw: Swing the team around 180 degrees to the left.
Hike: Go.
Line out: The lead dog should tighten the tug line.
On by: Go straight past the obstacle.
Straight on: Go straight ahead instead of taking the fork in the trail.
Whoa: Stop.
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