JACKSON, Wyo. — Nothing is cooler (and cuter) than snow cats and avalanche dogs and local kids had the opportunity to get up close and personal with both.
The educational event, Snow Cats and Avalanche Dogs, took place at Teton Village on Wednesday, Dec. 27. The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) ski patrol introduced their avalanche dogs, and a tour of a snow cat was provided to the audience of approximately 50 kids.
During the well-attended event, the kids learned safety first and they all had a lot of questions, according to the JHMR ski patrol.
Ski patroller Peter Linn spoke to the curious crowd about how his dog, Sparrow, became an avalanche dog.
“One of the functions of avy dogs is education, they are a tool to start teaching kids about avalanches,” Linn told Buckrail.
According to Linn, it takes a lot of time and resources to train an avy dog. One of the ways the dogs learn is by playing a hide and seek game and being rewarded when they find someone.
Linn’s dog Sparrow is four years old and while her breed, the Airedale Terrier, isn’t known for being an avalanche dog, she fits well into the JHMR avy dog family. Her off-season gig is bear protection during horseback-led pack trips, something her specific terrier breed is known for.
