Enjoy the dog days of winter in Wisconsin's North Woods

It's not surprising that Scandinavians are credited with inventing the sport of skijoring. After all, these are the folks who are pleased to strap themselves to a pair of skis and jump off a tall mountain.

In the sport of skijoring, ski-mounted participants attach themselves to a dog -- or dogs -- to glide across the winter landscape. In Skijor Sprint Racing, skiers are pulled by a trio of dogs, gliding over the wintry course at speeds approaching 30 mph.

The majority of skijorners, however, choose the recreational version of the sport. This mostly involves only one dog -- usually the family pet -- and is an invigorating way of having fun and promoting fitness while creating companionship between dog and owner. Once the dog is trained, simply producing the harness will have the excited animal ready for a jaunt in the winter woods.

Skijoring (skikjøring in Norwegian, translating literally to "ski driving") is a cross between nordic skiing and dog sledding. As a competitive sport, it has had its Olympic aspirations, included as a demonstration sport as early as the 1928 Winter Games. Hollywood has noticed the sport, too, including it in the 1998 film "Silver Wolf" with Roy Scheider and Michael Biehn.

Many breeds of dogs can be trained for skijoring, especially Northern breeds such as huskies and malamutes with their inbred tendencies for pulling. In Europe, the German short-haired pointer is a popular choice among skijorners. Ideally, the dog should weigh 30 pounds or more.

You'll get an intriguing introduction to the sport on a winter getaway to Wisconsin's North Woods where Minocqua Winter Park and Nordic Center offers a dedicated dog loop that will be open on Sundays beginning Jan. 7 (noon to 5 p.m.). It features a skijoring clinic on Jan. 27 (12:30 to 2 p.m.) with experts providing tips about techniques, equipment and trail etiquette, along with on-snow demonstrations.

Note: This is strictly a demonstration, not a lesson for Fido, so leave your dog at home. But be sure to bring your cross-country skis -- and the kids.

Winter Park offers 75 kilometers of perfectly groomed trails through glaciated terrain and Northern forests. They are groomed for skating, striding and snowshoeing and include three specially groomed children's loops.

Although snowmobilers and cross-country skiers are not essentially compatible, plenty of trails for both thread the North Woods countryside. Snowmobile clubs maintain a network of more than 1,600 miles of expertly groomed trails. They traverse a natural environment that includes 1,300 glacial lakes and 233,000 acres of public forest land. Combined with an annual snowfall averaging 65 inches, these provide prime sledding.

Rental snowmobiles are widely available and the local chamber office has trail maps (have them mailed to you in advance). They'll also guide you to trail-side stops ready with bowls of chili, grilled brats and traditional Friday-night fish fries (but please treat alcohol responsibly).

A "must" event for snowmobilers is Cruiserfest, held on Lake Minocqua (Feb. 8 and 9). Join the Friday-night snowmobile parade and cookout. Saturday's events feature radar runs, live music and a silent auction.

Ice fishing also is a popular local sport, which can be best sampled at the Chill Out Ice Fishing Tournament on Big Arbor Vitae Lake (Jan. 26). Fishing is 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with trophies awarded immediately after.

Numerous lodging choices range from cozy cottages and log cabins to full-service resorts. Cabins include Watters Edge Retreat, a newly constructed three-unit complex on Big Horsehead Lake with full kitchens and living areas, and Rainbow Bay Cabin, a cozy two-bedroom cabin overlooking Lake Minocqua, close to town and trails. A clutch of bed-and-breakfasts include Drakes Northwoods with secluded private suites overlooking Diamond Lake, and Whitehaven, a charming old inn on 500 feet of shoreline on White Fish Lake.

The Beacons of Minocqua is tucked into a prime stretch of lakeshore. Look for its landmark 1908 white boathouse with a distinctive turret.

The Beacons is the quintessential year-round North Woods resort. It is on 13 acres of pine forest along the shore of Lake Minocqua, one of a chain of five lakes that provides 78.1 miles of shoreline. Accommodations range from one-, two- and three-bedroom condos to cottages and log cabins. Most units have a fireplace, full kitchen and private balcony with lake views.

It's a perfect spot for a romantic winter getaway. Tucked into a comfortable condo in front of a flickering fireplace, it is uncommonly restful to look out of picture windows as slender pine trees sway with breezes off Lake Minocqua.

Find a popular Friday fish fry at Slos Pub, where choices include cod, walleye and perch. The pub also offers soup and sandwiches. It overlooks Big Arbor Vitae Lake and attracts snowmobilers riding the adjacent trail.

Known for its Friday-night fish fry, Ella's, with knotty pine and cafe curtains, is a cheerful spot for breakfast (served all day). Go for daily home-cooked specials, gourmet omelets and fresh bread and other baked goods, plus ambrosial desserts.

For more than 50 years, Mama's Supper Club, overlooking pretty Curtis Lake, has been serving Sicilian favorites made from family recipes. It also offers flavorful steaks, baby back ribs and pizza.

If you go

Information: Minocqua-Vitae-Woodruff Area Chamber of Commerce, (800) 446-6784, www.minocqua.org; Wisconsin Travel Information, (800) 432-8747, www.travelwisconsin.com.

Mileage: Minocqua is about 360 miles north of Chicago.

Mike Michaelson is a travelwriter based in Chicago andthe author of the guidebook"Chicago's Best-Kept Secrets."