So what is an avalanche?

An avalanche occurs when snow that has built up on a steep mountainside suddenly releases. The power of so much snow sliding down at once can knock down giant trees and buildings in a matter of seconds! If a person is caught in even a small avalanche, they can easily be buried deep in the debris where they often suffocate. Many people every year die in avalanches.

 

Where do avalanches occur?

Avalanches can happen anywhere there is snow and a steep slope. Here in Taos, we have many, many steep areas... within the Taos Ski Valley boundaries and also beyond, in the wilderness. In addition, our particular snowpack here in the Southern Rockies creates the perfect snow conditions for avalanches. We see dozens of avalanches every winter.

 

How does an avalanche dog find a person under the snow?

A person buried gives off a scent. That scent percolates to the surface and with any air movement (even a slight breeze), it creates a 'scent cone' pinpointed at the victim and getting wider as it moves outward. Our dogs are primarily air scent trained but also use ground scent. Once the dog is brought to the avalanche debris, he or she is told it's time to work with certain commands. The handler and dog criss-crosses (called 'zee's) the path until the dog catches the scent of the victim. He or she then narrows the scent cone to the pinpoint and starts digging. The handler can then assist with a shovel and help to dig out the victim. This all occurs within minutes typically and an experienced dog can be very effective even on a large slide path with multiple people buried!

If you see a dog working on the mountain while you're skiing around... whether it's a drill or the real thing, the best thing you can do is ignore them until they are done with the work! They have a very important job and it's better for them if there aren't too many distractions!

 

How do we train the dogs?

The dogs join the patrol team as puppies. We typically select pups that are retriever type and have 'high drive' to work. Their first year on the mountain, they are slowly familiarized with the work environment... like learning to load and ride on snowmobiles and chairlifts and in toboggans. From day one, obedience training is very important. They must be very good at listening to commands. When a dog has matured sufficiently, they will begin their specialized advanced avalanche training starting with simple hide-and-seek games and moving into multiple buried victim drills. For the dogs, everything is treated like a game. When the successfully complete a drill, they are given their favorite tug-toy and lots and lots of praise.

 

How many dogs do we have?

Currently we have four full time dogs and one in training. Izzy, Sadie, Kona and Brooks are fully-trained and mature. And Finn is in training.

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What do our dogs do in the summer?

Our dogs spend the summers having fun adventures with their Ski Patrol owners. Although they are part of the whole team and follow any Ski Patroller during the winter, they do each have specific handlers who take them home each night and also during the summers.