Winter vacation with a dog in Austria. Dog relaxes in the snow

Winter Holiday with Dog in Austria

Winter Holiday with Dog – Fun in the Snow and a Relaxing Time with Your Four-Legged Friend

Everyone is probably looking forward to their next winter holiday…

Whether skiing, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, ice skating, snowshoeing, or relaxing in the sauna after a hike: Austria is simply one of the most popular destinations for an unforgettable winter holiday. The southern province of Carinthia is particularly well suited for a skiing holiday, as it boasts over 30 ski resorts with more than 800 kilometers of slopes.

After the desired activities may already be decided and some holiday regions are already on the shortlist, many dog owners often ask themselves:

“…and what do we do with our dog during the winter holidays?“

Winter Holiday with Dog at Kirchleitn Holiday Village

Relaxing Getaway for Two- and Four-Legged Friends

A winter holiday with your furry friend in Bad Kleinkirchheim is something very special, especially when humans and animals are equally welcome.

While many hotels only partially accept dogs, the Slow Travel Resort Kirchleitn in St. Oswald is fully geared towards animal-loving guests. Here you can enjoy a relaxing holiday with your dog amidst the snowy mountain landscape of the Nockberge mountains.

Hosts who are animal lovers themselves warmly welcome you and your four-legged friend for shared days full of peace, nature, and unforgettable experiences.

Winterurlaub mit Hund in Österreich Husky jault im Schnee im Biosphärenpark Nockberge
Winterurlaub mit Hund in Österreich roter Husky genießt Schneelandschaft in den Bergen

Travel Safely and Stress-Free with Your Furry Friend

Car-Free Holiday Village with Varied Dog Walks Right Outside Your Door

At the Slow Travel Resort Kirchleitn, you stay in rustic, lovingly renovated mountain houses with cozy apartments. The entire holiday village is car-free, which creates a relaxed atmosphere especially for families and dogs.

Right outside your holiday apartment, wonderful hiking trails begin through the snowy winter forest, safe, quiet, and completely free of traffic.

A pet first-aid kit is available for minor ailments, and veterinarian Dr. Wulschnig is just a few minutes’ walk away. This way, you can enjoy your winter holiday with your dog without any worries.

Winter Activities with Your Dog

Shared Experiences in the Snowy Nockberge Mountains

Kirchleitn Holiday Village is located in the heart of the Nockberge Biosphere Park. Whether it’s leisurely strolls in the snow, shared breaks in the sun, or the tranquility of the mountains, a winter holiday with your dog in Carinthia becomes a time of conscious experience and genuine connection here.

While ski enthusiasts let loose on the nearby Brunnachbahn cable car, you and your four-legged friend can discover the snowy landscape on the numerous winter hiking trails around Bad Kleinkirchheim.

Family walk with dog in winter in Bad Kleinkirchheim in the middle of the Carinthian Nockberge mountains

Winter Fun with Your Dog: Games and Ideas

Among the most popular winter activities with your dog are:

  • Extended winter hikes with your dog

  • Snowshoeing with your dog

  • Cross-country skiing with your dog

  • Playing, romping, and jumping in the snow with your dog

  • Snowball fight with your four-legged friend

  • Building obstacle courses, snow tunnels, or snow hurdles for your dog
  • Digging holes in the snow with your dog
  • Burying treats in the snow and playing “sniffing games”
  • Throwing balls or frisbees for your dog

A winter holiday is all about spending quality time together. Whether it’s romping in the snow, small games in front of the cabin, or cozy breaks by the fireplace – the most beautiful memories are made when humans and dogs are simply together.

At the Slow Travel Resort Kirchleitn, your four-legged friend is not just allowed, but truly welcome. Here, great care is taken to ensure that dogs and their humans feel completely at ease. This makes a winter holiday with your dog in the mountains a carefree getaway.

Enough Exercise for Your Dog – Even in Winter

Staying Active with Your Four-Legged Friend Even in Snow and Cold

Dogs need a lot of exercise. It’s best if you, as a dog owner, are there to care for, play with, and spend cheerful time with your dog. To maintain and promote your dog’s health, sufficient exercise is essential in addition to a healthy diet.

The cold winter months often deter many from providing their dog with the necessary amount of exercise. Yet, it is so important for your dog to get out regularly, move, romp around, and have contact with other dogs.

Therefore, enough time should be planned throughout the day for sufficient exercise to support your dog’s fitness and well-being – even in the cold season.

FAQs about Winter Holidays with Dogs

When it snows in winter and temperatures drop, many dog owners wonder how much time a dog can spend in the snow without risking health problems.

Your dog’s size, weight, and coat are important indicators of how long a dog can withstand the snow. However, the maximum duration cannot be stated as a general rule. It is important that you observe your dog in winter and recognize in time if they are cold.

This depends on size, coat, and weight. Medium dogs (10–25 kg) cope well down to about -5 °C; below -10 °C, it becomes critical. Small dogs already get cold below 0 °C, and feel the cold significantly from -5 °C. Large dogs with thick fur are more resilient.

You can tell a dog is cold if it behaves stiffly, tenses its muscles tightly, or curls up and pulls its belly in.

The typical “shivering from cold” also applies to dogs. Dogs that are cold will shift from one paw to the other, or they won’t want to walk further and try to turn back. Whining, barking, as well as anxious or uncomfortable behavior can also be an indication that your dog is cold. If you recognize these signs, you should immediately bring your dog indoors to avoid further discomfort.

The duration depends on the dog and temperatures. Small or short-haired dogs get cold faster. Medium dogs tolerate cold better, but should have regular breaks to warm up. Observe your dog’s behavior to avoid hypothermia or discomfort.

Yes, many dogs find it uncomfortable when snow gets stuck between their paws or forms clumps. Small or short-haired dogs, in particular, can be sensitive. Paw care, observation, and occasionally tapping off snow clumps protect against cold and discomfort.

Boots are not strictly necessary, but can be helpful for sensitive paws, black ice, or heavily salted paths. Many dogs manage well without boots. It is important to check their paws regularly and clean them of snow or salt after a walk.

Dogs with short fur and thinner undercoats have less cold protection in winter; long-haired dogs, of course, can withstand the cold longer. To be prepared for all eventualities, you should always have a well-fitting dog coat ready. A dog coat helps dogs regulate their body heat and also offers protection from wetness.

Listen to your gut feeling here and pay attention to your dog’s signals. A small or short-haired furry friend gets cold quickly and will be grateful for a cozy dog coat. Their larger counterpart with thick fur is more robust. But no matter the type: if your dog is shivering or whining, it’s high time for a warming break by the tiled stove.

The holiday apartments at Slow Travel Resort Kirchleitn offer a spacious and cozy living room with a tiled stove, 1–2 bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, as well as a separate bathroom and toilet, and plenty of space for humans and animals. The car-free village ensures safety, varied dog walks start right outside the door, and rustic alpine huts around Bad Kleinkirchheim also welcome dogs for a Carinthian delicacy.

Important items for a winter holiday with your dog include food, bowls, water bottle, leash, collar or harness, paw care, blanket or dog bed, warm dog coats and dog boots for sensitive dogs, poop bags, toys, a pet first-aid kit for minor emergencies, and dog passport and proof of vaccinations.

Winterurlaub mit Hund in Österreich Hund spielt ausgelassen im Schnee

Holiday with Dog over Christmas and New Year’s Eve

Christmas, the quietest time of the year, is immediately followed by the loudest night of the year, New Year’s Eve.

For many, fireworks and firecrackers are as much a part of the New Year as dancing the Blue Danube Waltz and drinking sparkling wine. However, few are aware that setting off fireworks not only leads to significant environmental pollution but also exposes the entire animal world to unacceptable dirt and noise pollution. Due to their exceptionally good hearing, dogs suffer particularly badly from the noise of New Year’s Eve fireworks.

New Year’s Eve without Firecrackers and Rockets

At the Slow Travel Resort Kirchleitn, special emphasis is placed on ensuring that the Christmas holidays and New Year’s Eve are very quiet and relaxed. Guests are asked to refrain from using firecrackers and rockets. The soothing tranquility is not only relaxing for dog owners but also for their beloved four-legged friends.

So, if you want to escape the loud hustle and bustle of New Year’s Eve and are looking for a wonderful oasis of calm for your winter holiday with your dog, then the Slow Travel Resort Kirchleitn is the perfect place for you.