March 19, 2008

UNITED KINGDOM – Skiers on the slopes of the Glenshee Ski Center aren’t the only ones with a passion for the powder.

Guinness, a four-year old collie, has become something of a veteran skier, not to mention a slope favorite.

He hitches a ride to the mountain top by leaping into the air to grab hold of the lift with his teeth. According to Guinness’ owner, Graham McCabe, the dog decides when to jump off the lift before running or skidding down the hill.

“He will hang on for a while and go up for as long as he feels like it,” said McGabe, the ski center’s managing director. “He either goes all the way to the top or gets bored and drops off into the snow and runs back down to get another one.”

With the disposition of being “slightly mad (crazy) and very cheeky, but also extremely clever,” McGabe’s ski-crazed best friend has also figured out how to work the lift’s release mechanism.

This means Guinness can go up the mountain whenever he wants, rather than waiting for the lift instructors.

But when it’s busy, the instructors are careful to make sure the skiing canine isn’t getting in the way. Still he’s reportedly a favorite of everyone who comes to the mountain.

“Guinness is just amazing,” said snowboarder Dave Edwards. “He’s so entertaining when you’re waiting for a lift or going down a run.

“The first time I saw him hanging I couldn’t believe it,” continued Edwards. “I thought I was hallucinating.”

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Special contribution was made to this report by BBC News.