There is nothing else in the world like watching your dog break trail through fresh Colorado powder, ears back, snow flying off their coat, running the same line you just skinned up. Skiing with your dog is one of the greatest experiences a Colorado dog owner can share — and one of the most demanding.
This is not a resort day. This is not a groomed trail. Backcountry skiing with your dog means you, your dog, and a mountain that does not care whether either of you is prepared. The reward for doing it right is unmatched. The consequences for doing it wrong are serious.
This guide walks you through everything I have learned from years of skiing with my dog in the Colorado backcountry — including how to ski with your dog safely, the honest fitness assessment every owner needs to make, the training that makes this activity possible, the real gear I bring, the avalanche and early-season dangers, and the story of the day at Berthoud Pass that changed how I approach every backcountry outing since.
Let’s get into it.
Key Points: Backcountry Skiing With Your Dog in Colorado
- Not every dog is a backcountry candidate. Fitness, breed, age, weather tolerance, and reliable off-leash training all have to be honestly assessed BEFORE you head out. This is the first question every reader needs to answer — not the last.
- Training makes this activity possible. Bulletproof recall, solid heel, and calm behavior around wildlife and other skiers are non-negotiable. Without them, you are creating danger for your dog, yourself, and every other backcountry user.
- Early season is more dangerous than deep winter. Hidden sticks, exposed rocks, thin snow coverage, and unpredictable conditions cause more Colorado backcountry dog injuries in November and December than in mid-winter — including the injury that sent my own dog to the ER.
- Gear matters more than in any other dog activity. Harness with handle, booties for cold or icy conditions, first aid kit, and enough water for both of you. Cutting corners on gear is how emergencies become tragedies.
Should You Even Take Your Dog Into the Colorado Backcountry?
Before we talk about gear, training, or trail selection, we need to answer the most important question: should you actually be doing this with your specific dog?
This is not the same question as “can I bring my dog?” It’s a harder question. Some dogs are built for the Colorado backcountry. Some dogs are not. And some owners want to bring their dogs even though the honest answer is that their dog would be safer, happier, and healthier staying home.
Here is the honest decision framework I use before any backcountry ski day with my dog.
Age and Development
Your dog must be at least one year old at absolute minimum, and preferably older. Growth plates in a dog’s joints do not fully close until 12 to 18 months depending on breed. Sustained running in deep snow at altitude is high-impact activity that can cause permanent joint damage if your dog’s body is not fully developed. Large breeds should typically wait until 18 months.
Breed and Body Type
Breeds that thrive in Colorado backcountry conditions:
- German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois — Cold-tolerant, athletic, high work drive
- Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Pyrenees — Bred for mountain snow work (but watch for heat)
- Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute — Purpose-built for snow and cold
- Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever — Athletic and tough with proper coat conditioning
- Australian Shepherd, Border Collie — Athletic with high endurance
- Vizsla, German Shorthaired Pointer — Athletic but need extra thermal protection
Breeds that should not backcountry ski:
- Brachycephalic breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Frenchies) — Cannot breathe efficiently at altitude or in cold air
- Toy breeds — Cannot maintain body temperature in cold Colorado backcountry conditions
- Dogs with thin coats and no undercoat — Regardless of athleticism, they will get dangerously cold
- Senior dogs — Even if they used to backcountry ski, respect their new limits
Fitness Reality Check
Backcountry skiing is one of the most physically demanding activities you can ask of a dog. Your dog needs to be able to comfortably run alongside a hiker for 3-5 miles in normal terrain before you should ever consider taking them into deep snow at 10,000+ feet elevation.
If your dog gets winded during a normal Front Range hike, they are not ready for the backcountry. Full stop.
Off-Leash Reliability
Your dog will be off-leash in the backcountry. This is not negotiable — a leashed dog and a moving skier is dangerous for both. So the question becomes: is your dog’s off-leash behavior actually reliable?
Reliable off-leash behavior means:
- Rock-solid recall in high-distraction environments
- Calm around wildlife (deer, elk, snowshoe hares, moose)
- Calm around other skiers and their dogs
- Ability to hold “wait” or “heel” while you make transitions or safety assessments
- Zero history of chasing wildlife or running out of sight
If any of those are wobbly, your dog is not backcountry-ready yet.
Colorado Backcountry With Your Dog Is the Ultimate Reward.
Ask any Colorado backcountry skier who rides with their dog what their favorite day of the year was, and they will describe a specific run, a specific sunrise, a specific moment when their dog broke trail through fresh powder with pure joy on their face. That is why you moved here. That is why you learned to backcountry ski.
But it only happens safely when your dog has the training foundation to be a true backcountry partner. Recall, focus, calm behavior in high-consequence environments. That is what Dog Dynamix builds — and it is exactly what turns a good dog into a mountain dog.
The Training That Makes Backcountry Skiing With Your Dog Possible
Every safety rule in this guide comes back to the same foundation: professional training. Backcountry skiing in Colorado is one of the highest-consequence environments you can bring a dog into. The margin for behavioral error is zero.
The critical skills your dog needs before setting foot on the skin track:
Bulletproof recall. Not “usually comes when called.” Bulletproof. When your dog is 200 yards away on a Colorado ridge and you need them back immediately because you spotted terrain concerns, they need to turn on a dime and return to you regardless of what else is going on. Anything less than this and you should not be off-leash in the backcountry.
Reliable heel behind you on the skin track. When you are skinning up, your dog needs to be able to hold a position behind you or beside you without cutting across your line, tripping you on switchbacks, or bolting after wildlife.
Wait. During transitions from skin to ski mode, during safety assessments, during weather calls, your dog needs to hold position while you focus on the task. A dog that cannot wait patiently during transitions is a dog that will cause problems during high-stress moments.
Calm around wildlife. Colorado backcountry has moose, elk, deer, snowshoe hares, marmots, and coyotes. Chasing any of them is a life-threatening decision — moose kill dogs regularly, elk can defensively injure a chasing dog, and a dog lost chasing wildlife in the backcountry may not come back.
Calm around other skiers and their dogs. Backcountry skin tracks put you in close quarters with strangers. Your dog needs to hold their focus on you, not run up to greet every other party.
If those five behaviors are not rock solid, your dog is not ready for backcountry skiing in Colorado. Fix that first, then come back to the mountain.
Backcountry-Ready Dogs Are Trained Dogs.
If your dog does not have bulletproof recall, reliable off-leash behavior, and calm focus around distractions, backcountry skiing in Colorado is genuinely dangerous — for your dog, for you, and for every other party on the mountain. There is no way around that.
Dog Dynamix builds exactly the foundation that makes backcountry activities possible. Real-world training in real Colorado environments — parks, trails, and public spaces where the training holds up when it matters. Free consultation, no pressure.
How to Ski With Your Dog: The Progression That Actually Works
If you are researching how to ski with your dog in Colorado, the first honest answer is: you do not start in the backcountry. Skiing with your dog is a progression, and skipping steps is how emergencies happen.
Here is the training progression I have used, and the one I recommend for every Colorado dog owner who wants to eventually backcountry ski with their dog.
Phase 1: Off-Snow Foundation (Months Before You Ever See Snow)
Bulletproof recall. Reliable heel. Solid “wait.” Calm behavior around wildlife. Calm behavior around other trail users. All of this happens on regular Front Range trails, in parks, and in real Colorado environments — long before you ever put skis on. If your dog cannot do these things on a summer trail, they cannot do them on a mountain.
Phase 2: Skinning Practice on Easy Terrain
Once your dog has foundation obedience, start with easy skinning outings on low-consequence terrain. Think meadow tours, mellow forest service roads, or the flat approach sections of easy backcountry zones. This is where your dog learns:
- How to run alongside you at ski pace without cutting your line
- How to stay behind you on switchbacks (critical safety skill)
- How to handle transitions when you stop to strip skins or adjust gear
- How to hold position while you make safety assessments
Phase 3: Introduce Real Backcountry Conditions
After your dog is competent on easy skinning terrain, you can start introducing real backcountry conditions — deeper snow, longer tours, cooler temperatures, more elevation gain. Watch your dog carefully during this phase. Some dogs love it and thrive. Others make it clear this is not their activity. Respect what your dog is telling you.
Phase 4: Ski Touring With Dogs — The Real Thing
Ski touring with dogs is the natural evolution once your dog is truly ready. Conservative terrain, appropriate weather, honest self-assessment before every outing. This is not the day to push into difficult objective terrain — save the ambitious ski lines for the days you leave your dog at home.
Phase 5: Learn the Off-Days
The most important lesson: learn which days are NOT dog days. Extreme cold, high avalanche danger, difficult objective terrain, or your dog being tired from previous days — all reasons to leave the dog home and go without them. A dog who skis with you 15 days a season with proper preparation is better off than a dog who skis 30 days without it.
Avalanche Safety With Your Dog in Colorado
If you are going into avalanche terrain, your dog is your responsibility in ways that go far beyond normal dog ownership. Colorado avalanche terrain is real. It kills experienced backcountry skiers every winter. Bringing a dog does not make you safer — it multiplies the number of lives at risk.
The honest truths about dogs and avalanche terrain:
- A dog cannot be found by a beacon. They are not wearing one, and you cannot practically put one on them. If your dog is buried, you are searching by sight and by luck.
- A dog cannot self-rescue. They cannot dig themselves out of consolidated debris. If they get buried, they are dying unless you find them.
- A dog can trigger a slide. Their movement on unstable snow can be the load that triggers a slab avalanche.
- A dog in an avalanche path forces harder decisions. If your dog is stuck below a suspect slope, you may be forced to enter terrain you would otherwise avoid.
The practical rules:
- Take avalanche courses. AIARE Level 1 minimum. Level 2 if you want to go deeper.
- Read the Colorado Avalanche Information Center forecast every single day before you go.
- Stay out of high-consequence terrain when you have your dog with you. This may not be the day for that 40-degree face.
- Keep your dog close on the skin track — no letting them wander onto suspect slopes.
- Consider whether the day’s conditions are appropriate for your dog to be there at all.
Backcountry skiing with your dog in Colorado is not the day to push the limits of what terrain you can ski. Save the ambitious lines for the days you leave your dog at home.
The Day at Berthoud Pass That Changed Everything
Everything I know about the real stakes of backcountry skiing with your dog in Colorado, I learned on one specific late-December day at Berthoud Pass.
Conditions were classic early season. There was snow — enough to skin, enough to ski — but not enough to fully bury everything underneath. Sticks, rocks, and downed limbs were still poking through in places, and everywhere else they were just barely hidden below the surface.
We were breaking trail through a mellow section of terrain. My dog was doing what she does — running her line, pure joy, breaking her own trail alongside mine. And then she came back to me. Limped, not sprinted. Sat at my feet with something in her posture that told me immediately: something was wrong.
She’s a German Shepherd. She’s tough. She doesn’t complain. So when she comes to my feet like that, I know.
I started looking around and saw little red dots in the snow. Then I saw the hole in her leg. A stick buried under the snow had gone completely through her leg while she was running.
The wave of urgency was intense, but there was no room to panic. I used to be a high-altitude mountaineering instructor, so I have some practice controlling the response in situations like this. I swallowed all of the fear and focused on the only things I could control: get her to the car, then get her to the vet.
I picked her up by the handle on her harness — and I want to pause here because this is exactly why I preach harness-with-handle as non-negotiable gear. Without that handle, I do not know how I would have carried a fifty-plus pound German Shepherd downhill on skis. The handle is not a nice-to-have. It is emergency equipment.
I skinned downhill as fast as I could safely move with a wounded dog in my arms. When I got to the Berthoud parking lot, I asked if any of the people around could help me carry my splitboard to the car — my dog was hurt.
I got lucky. The group I asked happened to be packed with nurses. They took my first aid kit and started working on her while I loaded up. I am still, years later, grateful for them.
Then came the twist. I had a trailer on my truck that day. I was still learning how to slowly and carefully drive with a trailer on mountain passes. And now I had to rush down a mountain pass, with a trailer, trying not to let my dog bleed out.
I made it. She made it. When I handed her off at the emergency vet and my job was done, I let the emotions hit me. I did not know until that moment how heavy I had been carrying it. I do not know how I would have handled it if she had not made it.
Here is what I want you to take from this story:
Things can happen out there that are not your fault. I did nothing wrong that day. My dog did nothing wrong. There was no visible danger. A stick was under the snow and my dog ran across it at the wrong angle. That is the nature of the mountains.
Your training as an owner matters. The mountaineering background gave me the ability to control my response and act. That control probably saved her life. Every backcountry dog owner should think about how they will respond in an emergency BEFORE it happens.
Gear is not optional. The harness handle, the first aid kit, the willingness to accept help from strangers — these all mattered. If any of them had been missing, this story ends differently.
And here is the hardest truth: doing these things with your dog carries risk. Real risk. But if you do not do them, you miss out on some of the most special moments and deepest bonds you can share with an animal. If you do them, there is always risk. But that is the nature of the mountains. Maybe that is a small part of what makes them so special.
I still take my dog into the backcountry. I just take her better prepared than I did that day.
Weather Considerations for Colorado Backcountry Skiing With Your Dog
Colorado backcountry weather is not one thing. It ranges from bluebird 30-degree days to negative-20 with wind chill. Your gear strategy has to adapt.
Cold days: I put booties on my dog immediately at the trailhead. Cold, hard-packed snow tears up paw pads faster than you would expect, and ice buildup between toes causes real damage. If it is cold — negative single digits or below — booties go on before we leave the parking lot.
Warm days: I skip booties at the start and carry them in her pack (small pack — see gear section) as backup. On warmer days, her paws are more comfortable moving on softer snow and I would rather have the flexibility to add booties if conditions change than remove them if she is overheating.
When to reassess mid-tour:
- Sudden temperature drop or wind pickup → add booties
- Icy crust developing → add booties
- Bleeding, limping, or licking at paws → stop immediately, check pads, add booties or vet wrap
- Excessive shaking or reluctance to continue → turn around
Watch for hypothermia signs:
- Uncontrollable shivering
- Weakness or lethargy
- Slowing pace despite normal terrain
- Ice buildup on coat that will not shake off
If you see any of these, turn around. There is no ambitious day worth pushing a hypothermic dog.
Essential Gear I Bring on Every Colorado Backcountry Ski Day
Here is the exact gear I bring for skiing with my dog in Colorado. Every piece has earned its place, and several of them earned it because of the Berthoud Pass day.
The Non-Negotiables
The Fido Airlift Pro harness. After what happened at Berthoud Pass, I will never take a dog into the backcountry without a proper harness that has a top handle for emergency carrying. I use the Fido Airlift Pro from Fido Protection — it is specifically designed for high-consequence dog activities like backcountry skiing, and the handle is genuinely built for lifting a full-grown dog. If the worst happens and you need to carry your dog out, this harness is the difference between “manageable” and “impossible.” For anyone researching the best pet-friendly ski gear or dog harnesses for backcountry skiing, this is where I would start.
A real dog first aid kit. Not the tiny “for hikes” kit. A real one. Self-adhesive vet wrap, gauze, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, spare booties, and a small amount of pain reliever your vet has cleared for emergency use. If you have not already assembled this, do it before your next backcountry day.
Booties. Even on warm days when I do not start with them on, they live in her pack. Cold days they go on immediately.
Extra water. Backcountry dogs get dehydrated fast. Cold air, sustained activity, and elevation all pull moisture out of them. I carry more water than seems reasonable, and I insist on water breaks even when she seems fine.
Collapsible bowl. Small, lightweight, essential.
The Weather-Specific Gear
Dog coat or thermal ski jacket — For thin-coated breeds or very cold days, insulation is non-negotiable. Pet-friendly ski jackets have come a long way — Ruffwear, Hurtta, and Non-Stop Dogwear all make cold-weather insulation designed for high-activity dogs. Even German Shepherds benefit from insulation in single-digit temperatures at altitude.
Musher’s wax or paw balm — Apply to paw pads before booties go on. Provides an additional barrier against ice buildup between toes.
Goggles for your dog — This one is less common but I have come to appreciate it. Sustained sunlight reflecting off Colorado snow at altitude is intense. UV damage to dog eyes is real. Rex Specs or similar products are worth considering for regular backcountry dogs.
The Emergency Gear
Communication device — InReach or similar. In an emergency, cell phone coverage in Colorado backcountry is unreliable at best. Being able to call for help is essential.
Apple AirTag on your gear — In an emergency where you have to leave equipment behind to get your dog out, an AirTag on your pack gives you a chance to recover it later.
Your emergency plan — Know the nearest vet before you go. Know how you will carry your dog out if needed. Know who is expecting you back and when.
What I Do NOT Do
Do not put an avalanche beacon on your dog. It stinks, it does but there is a huge ethical risk you run when you do. If time is spent rescuing your dog rather than another human that would not be good for anyone involved. Just, don’t do it. Since this is the choice for almost all responsible people, do not take your dog in avalanche zones.
Early Season Warnings for Colorado Backcountry Skiing With Your Dog
The Berthoud Pass injury happened in late December for a specific reason: early season is more dangerous for dogs in the Colorado backcountry than deep winter.
Here is why early season carries elevated risk:
Hidden obstacles. The snow is just deep enough to hide sticks, rocks, downed limbs, and other hazards — but not deep enough to fully bury them. Your dog runs across what looks like snow and hits something underneath. This is exactly what happened to my dog.
Thin snow coverage on rocks and terrain features. What would be a smooth snow-covered slope in February is a rocky, uneven surface with just a thin layer of snow in November. Falls and paw injuries are much more common.
Unpredictable snowpack. Early season snowpack is chaotic. Consolidated layers are still forming. Avalanche danger patterns are different and often less predictable than mid-winter.
Cold without deep snow insulation. Ambient temperatures drop but there is not enough snow to insulate exposed ground. Your dog is exposed to cold conditions without the buffer that mid-winter provides.
Enthusiasm exceeds preparation. After a long summer, everyone (including dogs) is excited to get out on the first storm of the season. That enthusiasm can override the honest assessment of whether conditions are actually appropriate.
My rules for early season:
- Extra conservative terrain choices — nothing steep or exposed
- Assume hidden obstacles everywhere — keep your dog close and off-trail exploration minimal
- Turn around earlier than you think you need to
- Check paw pads more frequently — every stop, without exception
- Bring more first aid than you think you need
- Have your vet’s number in your phone before you leave the parking lot
When You Get to the Top
At some point on every backcountry day — usually at a viewpoint, or a summit, or a shaded aspen grove where you stop for lunch — you will look at your dog and see her looking back at you, breathing hard, tail wagging, snow on her whiskers, and you will realize that this is what you moved here for.
That moment is why we do this.
The training, the gear, the safety assessments, the honest fitness checks, the early-season caution — all of it exists so that when you get to that moment, you can be fully in it. Not distracted by a dog that is not managing well. Not worried about the descent. Just present, with your dog, on a mountain that both of you had to earn.
And on the drive home, when she is passed out in the back of the truck and you are still on the adrenaline high of a good day — that is a Colorado backcountry dog who lived a great day. Those days are irreplaceable.
Do this activity with real preparation and real respect for the risks, and it will give you some of the best days of your life with your dog.
Your Best Days Are on the Mountain With Your Dog.
Every Colorado backcountry skier who rides with their dog talks about it the same way — some of the best days of their lives happened on those tours. Not summit-conquering days, not powder-record days. Just regular tours with their best mountain partner alongside them. That is the whole reason you moved to Colorado.
Do the training. Bring the gear. Respect the risks. And when it is time to build the foundation that makes any of this possible, Dog Dynamix is here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Backcountry Skiing With Your Dog
Is backcountry skiing with your dog in Colorado safe?
Backcountry skiing with your dog in Colorado carries real risk. Avalanche terrain, hidden early-season obstacles, cold exposure, and altitude all present dangers your dog faces alongside you. It can be done safely by prepared owners with well-trained dogs, appropriate gear, honest fitness assessments, and conservative terrain choices. It cannot be made completely safe. Every backcountry outing with your dog requires acknowledging the risk and preparing for emergencies.
What breeds are best for backcountry skiing?
Breeds that excel in Colorado backcountry conditions include German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Great Pyrenees, Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, Vizslas, and German Shorthaired Pointers (with extra thermal protection). Brachycephalic breeds, toy breeds, thin-coated dogs without undercoats, and senior dogs should not backcountry ski regardless of enthusiasm.
At what age can my dog start backcountry skiing?
Your dog must be at least one year old at absolute minimum, with 18 months preferred for larger breeds. Growth plates must be fully closed before sustained high-impact activity in deep snow. Puppies under 12 months should build fitness on lower-consequence terrain (easy hikes, controlled play) while their bodies fully develop.
What gear do I need for backcountry skiing with my dog?
Essential gear includes a harness with a top handle (the Fido Airlift Pro is designed specifically for this), a real dog first aid kit with self-adhesive vet wrap and spare booties, dog booties for cold or icy conditions, extra water and a collapsible bowl, musher’s wax for paw protection, and appropriate insulation for thin-coated breeds or extreme cold. A communication device (InReach or similar) is critical since Colorado backcountry cell service is unreliable.
Are Colorado backcountry areas dangerous for dogs in early season?
Yes — early season (November and December) is often the most dangerous time for backcountry dogs in Colorado. Thin snow coverage hides sticks, rocks, and downed limbs that dogs can injure themselves on while running. Snowpack is chaotic and less predictable. Owners are often more excited than prepared after a long summer. Extra conservative terrain choices, frequent paw pad checks, and readiness for injuries are all critical during early season.
Can dogs get avalanche safety training?
Not in the way humans can. Dogs cannot be equipped with avalanche beacons, cannot self-rescue from burial, and can actually trigger avalanches through their movement. The safest approach is to keep your dog out of avalanche terrain entirely, choose conservative days when your dog is with you, and understand that bringing a dog into avalanche terrain multiplies rather than reduces risk. AIARE Level 1 for the human owner is a minimum requirement before entering any avalanche terrain.
How do I train my dog for backcountry skiing?
The foundation skills are bulletproof recall in high-distraction environments, reliable heel behavior, solid “wait” during transitions, calm behavior around wildlife, and calm behavior around other skiers. These must be rock solid before any backcountry outing. Dog Dynamix builds exactly these skills in real Colorado environments — parks, trails, and public spaces where training translates to real-world reliability.
Should my dog wear booties for backcountry skiing?
Yes, especially in cold conditions or on icy snow. On very cold days (single digits or below), put booties on at the trailhead before you start. On warmer days, carry them in your pack and add them if conditions deteriorate or your dog shows any sign of paw discomfort. Musher’s wax applied before booties provides an extra barrier against ice buildup between toes.
What do I do if my dog gets injured in the backcountry?
Stay calm. Assess the injury. Apply first aid — self-adhesive vet wrap handles most cuts and paw injuries. Use your harness handle to carry your dog if needed. Get to the trailhead as quickly as you safely can. Have the nearest emergency vet’s contact information in your phone before you leave. If the injury is severe, prioritize getting your dog to professional care over everything else. Do not hesitate to accept help from other skiers.
Is backcountry skiing worth the risk for the dog?
That is a question every owner has to answer honestly for themselves. The bond, joy, and shared experience of a Colorado backcountry day with your dog is genuinely unmatched. The risk is also real and cannot be eliminated. The answer for most well-prepared owners with well-trained dogs is yes — but only if approached with proper training, proper gear, honest fitness assessment, and conservative terrain choices. Rushing into the backcountry with an untrained or unfit dog is not worth it under any circumstances.
How do I ski with my dog for the first time?
Learning how to ski with your dog is a progression, not a single event. Start months before ski season with off-snow foundation obedience — bulletproof recall, reliable heel, and calm behavior around distractions. Once ski season begins, start with easy skinning on low-consequence terrain (mellow forest service roads, meadow tours) where your dog learns pace, positioning, and transitions. Only after several successful easy outings should you introduce real backcountry conditions. The progression takes an entire season for most owner-dog teams. Do not skip steps.
Can dogs be safely on ski tracks or backcountry skin tracks?
Yes, if trained properly. Your dog should stay behind you on the skin track, never cutting across your line or the line of skiers behind you. Reliable “heel” and “wait” commands are essential — a dog that runs across an active skin track creates a serious fall hazard for other skiers. When another party approaches, recall your dog immediately and step off the track to let them pass. Off-leash dog owners yield to all other backcountry users. If your dog cannot reliably stay behind you on the skin track, they are not ready for backcountry skiing yet.
Let’s Get Your Dog Backcountry-Ready.
Every day in the mountains is better with a trained dog. Free consultation. No pressure. Just an honest conversation about what your dog needs to become the true backcountry partner you always wanted.
