If you’re wondering where you can take your dog to the snow in Australia, the ski resorts are generally a no-go zone because they’re located in national parks. Whilst it’s possible for residents to get a permit for a dog at some of the Australian ski resorts, they are off-limits to visitors with dogs.

Dinner Plain near Mt Hotham in Victoria is very unique in that it’s the only place in Australia where you can stay with your dog where there is a decent probability of snow cover during winter. Your dog can have a frolic in the snow, roll in the snow, eat snow and make yellow snow! If your dog is a wanna-be powder hound, Dinner Plain is pretty good.

Dogs in Dinner Plain don’t need specific alpine registration as they did in the past, just your local council registration.

Rules for Dogs in Dinner Plain

Due to the proximity of the National Park, the rules for dogs in Dinner Plain are still rather strict and most of the town is an on-lead area. Apian Way is an off-lead multi-purpose trail that’s located on the outskirts of Dinner Plain, past the ski slope at the base of the toboggan run. If the snow is firm, it’s easy enough to walk along this track, but if the snow is deep and fresh the track will be a hard slog and more appropriate for snow shoeing or cross country skiing.

During winter the tennis courts used to be an off-leash area, but the council has put the kibosh on dog fun.

Don’t let your dog off-leash near the national park because not only is it against regulations, but they often have fox bait in these zones.

Dinner Plain Pet Friendly Accommodation

You can have a dog holiday in the snow because some of the Dinner Plain accommodation is dog friendly, so long as you don’t let you dog run amok and jump all over the couches and beds, and so long as you don’t leave your dog howling in the house for hours on end.

Some properties provide dog friendly accommodation in Dinner Plain. You can look at dog friendly snow houses and apartments on the Dinner Plain accommodation page. Once you've entered your dates use the "pet friendly" filter under Property Features and hit "Apply Filters". NB The Dinner Plain dog friendly accommodation options are often sold out well in advance.

All of the Dinner Plain houses are fence free so they don’t have yards, but there are a few properties with enclosed decks where you could leave your dog if they’ve got a good tolerance for the cold and are bred to be snow dogs (e.g. malamutes, huskies etc).

If you want to go out for a decent time during the day, it may be possible to get a dog sitter. Alpine Babysitting usually specialises in looking after human kids, but they can also look after your fur kids, pending staffing levels. Or you may be able to find a random dog lover via the Dinner Plain Community Notice Board Facebook group, who is willing to be a dog sitter and/or dog walker for a fee.

Dinner Plain Dog Friendly Businesses

During the day you can head to The Hub café where there are spots to tie your dog up outside, or if you rug up there are spots for humans to sit outside too.

The Wyndham Ramada has an outdoor area around the firepit where you could sit for an après drink with your pooch.

Similarly, High Plains Hotel and the Dinner Plain Hotel often have a fire going outside where you could hang with your dog in the snow.

Tips For Your Dog in the Snow at Dinner Plain

• Around the town are various rubbish bins where you can pick up doggy bags. Please pick up after your dog and don't just cover the excrement with snow, because when the snow melts it’s still there. It’s a privilege that dogs in Dinner Plain are permitted, so don’t ruin it by being one the hoomans that don’t clean up after their dog.
• Your dog doesn’t need to wear booties in the snow, unless they’re planning on running the Iditarod dog sledding race! Having claws is handy for the oft icy roads and paths.
• Some dogs with very short coats may need to wear a doggie coat when they go outside, but don’t leave it on if they’re doing a bit of running.
• Occasionally when there is a lot of deep fresh snow, long haired dogs can develop snow balls which you may need to pull off or melt off before they go inside. Some people recommend spraying a bit of cooking oil around their under-carriage to minimise the sticking, but not sure if this is an old wives tale.
• During summer, keep an eye on your dog when off-leash due to the presence of snakes in the area.