We love avalanche dogs. Not just because they save lives, but because…dogs! Whether it’s watching endless videos of them (I stopped counting while “researching” for this article) or meeting a dog while at a resort, they make our days better!
Avalanche dogs (or “avy dogs” for short) are trained and certified in the search and rescue techniques of locating people under the snow after an avalanche. These dogs work closely with their handler/owner and resort ski patrol teams. Training and work consists of a type of hide-and-seek game, and any dog with a strong prey or herding drive will excel and love these games. Once the dog finds a human, its reward is to play a little tug, fetch or whatever makes it excited. The dog knows it’s been a successful day once it is playtime, and nothing makes it happier! These dogs practice in simulated training exercises almost every day during the season so they are at the top of their game when an avalanche strikes and it is time to find someone.
Avy Dog Fun Facts:
- Did you know that one avalanche dog can search an entire hectare (about 2.5 acres) of terrain in 30 minutes, while it takes a human up to 4 hours? It’s this speed that makes avy dogs an excellent addition to any patrol team.
- A handler is usually the dog’s owner and they go home with them at the end of the day. This creates an extra special bond between the human and the dog.
- Avy dogs are trained to ride the ski lift, just like we do! They can also ride in a toboggan, snowmobile, gondola and even helicopters.
Because everyone loves dogs, I have rounded up my favorite avy dog videos. Enjoy.
Jake, from Vail. Because…puppies.
Watch Moose practice his search and rescue skills.
Winner of the GoPro awards.
A nostalgic song, snow, and avy dogs.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/131554201
Let’s be real, don’t we all love sliding down the snow?
https://www.facebook.com/SkiHeavenly/videos/10155174942552375/
And one last puppy for good measure.
https://www.facebook.com/Keystone/videos/10154079307176577/
I have said here watching all the videos and have tears in my eyes of joy watching those dogs work and play. I give so much credit to the owners and the dedication that they give to the work and the rescue. This should be out for everybody to see And know what goes on on our mountains. I live in Winter Park Colorado and I am no longer able to ski but my mind still loves it all. Thanks for sharing again.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!! What a pleasant few moments in my very busy day! All of you go ski one for me and my dog!
Thank you for sharing, love it all lucky Dogs!
Such wonderfully made videos! Thank you for sharing them! Made my day! Great dogs and great owners!
Stop showing these videos.:) My wife loves these and cries every time we watch then as the remind us of our yellow lab who passed 3 years ago.
Seriously, thank you to the ski patrol and the ave dogs for all you do. Most of us ski groomers which seem simple enough but there are ski opportunties on the mountains which have much more dire consequences.