A complete skijor system is illustrated, which includes a novel dog harness, safety tension release, and skijor belt. The system facilitates rapid deployment by requiring only five buckles, while providing exceptional safeguards for dog, skier, and adjacent parties. The harness includes uniquely arranged belly and neck straps which serve the dual function of skijor and car harness. The quick release operates by shear of hook and loop type fasteners, and may use other types of attachment means instead of or in addition to the hook and loop. A manual release is provided which supplements the intrinsic over-tension protection. The skijor belt has novel anti-slip material on an internal surface, and a special holding loop opposed to the lead attachment. The holding loop permits a second person to grab the belt and restrain a skier, such as is useful at the start of a skijor race.