What you are asking is not unusual - I have seen people in simple climbing harnesses getting pulled along trail like this. (I used to work at a xc resort)

I think what you could use is a "Cross County" (..like 'nordic') Touring ski. That is; 'narrow' like a xc ski, but with metal edges. The edges is what really sets apart typical xc ski's. Being pulled along I would think you'd want some control (.. the Power Snowplow) to slow down & turn. Nordic (edgeless) ski's could lead you to a trip to the Hospital..plus they're thin and flimsey..

Some of them have fish scales along the grip part (the mid of the ski).. some of them are waxless.. and some you have to have a little bit of experience with applying waxes. Which isn't that hard- there's YouTube for everything

Google "Alpina Control Touring Cross Country" or something similar. I know you can find a beat up used pair at sports exchanges in Golden, Canmore & others for less then $100

I'd say you're probably going to be on (somewhat) unpacked snow & for boots aim for something like an Alpina Nordic Backcountry boot.

I think a typical cross country boot would not be stiff or maybe even safe enough if you're being pulled through deep, untracked snow. Nordic boots are so light with thin materials these days. Soloman, Alpina & Rosignol all make a variety of these. I don't know the market in finding used boots like this though. I would think size and availability would be tough, unless you're in a nordic town or somewhere like Revelstoke.

Consider http://www.outdoorgearswap.com (MECs page.. ) or.. maybe Kijiji in Canmore

Perhaps YouTube or Google Finland or Norway winter sports and see what the Scans do?

This sounds worthwhile, I think your dog will love you for this

You've given me all the information I need to start looking for an appropriate ski.

Hopefully the boots are not overtly hard to find given I'm both blessed and cursed with one of the more common foot sizes. Worst case scenario is I buy a new pair of boots... which I might just do in any case to ensure proper fitting and comfort.

Thanks dromo.

Kijiji is a great source for older ski gear.  Also in Edmonton are Alsports replay and Totem outfitters that can have a great selection of older (cheap) gear to bash.  

Coldblitz.. what community do you live in?

Used ski's with edges should be very cheap to find. I wouldn't cheap out on buying a Touring XC boot, perhaps new if you think dog mushing is for you. If you get to MEC to buy boots, spend the extra $25 on no name Gaitors to keep you dry. You'll be bulletproof with boots and Gaitors..

If you do find a pair of boots suitable - let me know what kind of bindings go with those boots. I have an older pair of nordic bindings you can have if they fit the boots. I'm in Lake Louise. A mount onto your ski's would be $20 tops..

We'll get you on 'em

It would be a dream to live near banff. I'm in Brantford ON. I'll try and drop by the MEC in burlington sometime this weekend. If forced to take a longer drive, my fallback plan is the one out in barrie.

In any case... I'm grounded for the next 6+ weeks, ski's or not. I'm waiting for a new harness to get mailed that was ordered in late november but apparently got lost in the mail- a real nightmare.

Is it a special type harness? Why could you not use a 'cheap' climbing harness from MEC? Buy a cheap Caribeaner and you're away with the dog? http://www.mec.ca has ordering on line.. free shipping for orders over $50 (at times.. )

Black Diamond has unpadded harnesses.. I think I bought mine for < $50. The unpadded could be more useful as you'll likely be wearing snow pants when you're out on your adventure.

Maybe try the local climbing gym for used (trashed) harnesses before they're cut up/ retired. Same with a 'shocked' caribeaner. Maybe there's a chunk of rope you can pawn off them?

-Just a though-

It's not the belt I need. I have one of those from the rollerblading we do and is special made for the sport. It is an actual skijoring harness and has lower back support to keep from getting back aches by the constant pull and jerk of the dog.

It's the dog harness I'm waiting on.

She outgrew her last custom harness so I had to get her a new one...

I once tried to just get her a cheepo from the pets store but that was ultimately a big mistake. It took me three months to recondition Dakota to a harness after making her wear the one from pets store just the one time.

It's the one piece of gear I've learned through trial and error not to cheap out on. A good harness is hard to find and has to be custom made to the dogs measurements otherwise it'll make the dog miserable- a miserable dog doesn't want to pull, doesn't like to pull, and grows to hate the harness.