Whistler goes to the dogs

Whistler Olympic Park has a number of dog-friendly trails.

By Thomas Kohnstamm, msnbc.com contributor

Pet ownership is no longer just about putting a dog house in the backyard and sharing scraps from the table.

Over 49 percent of American leisure travelers consider their furry friends to be part of the family, and 18 percent take their pets with them on trips, according to the U.S. Travel Association. The modern family vacation seem incomplete if our canine companions get stuck at home with a sitter or sentenced to the kennel.

The family ski vacation is a tradition that is a natural fit for dogs, and Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia leads the pack in this evolution.

Consistently ranked as the best mountain resort in North America, Whistler was also the Host Mountain Resort for much of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.?According to Paula Del Bosco, director of the local animal shelter WAG (Whistler Animals Galore) and organizer of the annual Whistler DogFest, ?Whistler doesn?t just love dogs, it?s actually dog crazy.?

That said, you can?t just show up with Fido in tow and expect everyone to accommodate you. The dog ski trip requires a fair amount of pre-planning. Enjoy Whistler is an excellent starting point to strategize your trip and has the most straightforward booking experience. They even have a section on their site specially designated for pet-friendly hotels.

As for accommodations, the Westin is recommended for its comfortable suites that welcome canines, its bottomless supply of dog treats in the lobby and its unbeatable location just a few easy steps from the Whistler and Blackcomb gondolas.

While you can?t take dogs downhill skiing in the resort, they can go cross-country skiing with you at Whistler Olympic Park. A short drive south of Whistler Village in the forested Callaghan Valley, the Olympic Park has a number of well-maintained dog-friendly trails and even specific dog-friendly parking lots. Skis, boots and poles can all be rented at the day lodge. If you are feeling a bit less ambitious, there are several off-leash dog-walking parks in Whistler including Rainbow Park and Alpha Lake Park.

After a full day of outdoor activity, pamper your puppy with Shampooch Mobile Dog Grooming. Owner Shayla Libin comes to your hotel and grooms your pet in her professionally equipped, heated mobile van. She makes an extra effort to provide a comfortable, stress-free environment so that they come away not only looking good, but relaxed and rejuvenated. It?s the dog version of the apr?s ski soak in the hot tub.

And if you want to experience the amazing work that the Whistler community is doing with animals, stop in at WAG (Whistler Animals Galore). For nearly 30 years, WAG has rescued, cared for and found new homes for lost, homeless and unwanted animals.

If you come to Whistler for spring skiing, make sure to check out?DogFest, the canine carnival that graces the town every spring with competitions, exhibitions and dog parades complete with costumes. It?s a great time and all proceeds support WAG.

Whistler is pioneering a broader movement of pet-friendly resort travel and proving that you need not choose between the enjoyment of the human and canine parts of our families.

More on Itineraries

?

?

Source: http://itineraries.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/01/10291597-whistler-goes-to-the-dogs

what is sopa ibooks author marianne gingrich gabrielle union mark wahlberg ladainian tomlinson merle haggard