ENUMCLAW, Wash. — You've probably noticed some fluffy friends running around at Crystal Mountain. These dogs are part of their Cascade Mountain Rescue Dogs program, the same program that has been active for almost 30 years.
Once a month Crystal Mountain hosts the “Avalanche Dog Education Days” a free event for all ages where you can get the chance to learn more about the program, meet the pups and more.
The demo is ideal for anyone curious to learn how handlers keep their dogs safe in such a dynamic environment and what training looks like.
“We are out here doing our first Avalanche Dog Education Day,” said Crystal Mountain Ski Patroller Alisha Bator. “It's really important that we start educating people, making sure our message is clear about keeping your distance and treating our dogs like any other working dog.”
Avalanches are an existing danger at ski resorts, so it is extremely important to be properly prepared and efficient for any occasion. These dogs are an essential component of search and rescue, they can locate people buried under the snow.
Time is crucial when someone is buried in the snow, rescue dogs are experts when seeking hidden human scent.
“These dogs are hyper-focused on snow and avalanche burials,” said Crystal Mountain Ski Patroller Charlie Stewart. “It's one of those lifelines that you hope to never need.”
Although the job of these dogs is all about saving lives and making the slopes a safer place for everyone, for them it is nothing more than playtime - a game of hide-and-seek.
“They know that they're there in a very special life because you can see it on their faces every day,” said Bator. “They're having a great time.”
Now Crystal Mountain is giving its visitors a chance to understand more about this safety program that saves lives with its unique once-a-month demos.
Handlers and dogs will arrive in the base area at 11 a.m. for obedience training demos, Q&A, tips & tricks for riding in an area with working dogs, discussions about each dog’s personality and skill sets, and photographs until noon. These are working dogs so weather and emergency calls may impact this event.
It is important that you are respectful and help set the dogs up for success.
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