avalanche dogs Archives - Lifted by Ikon Pass

And it’s back, baby (cue Dick Vitale voice) – welcome to year 2 of the Bark Bracket, where the slopes are ruff and the competition is as furry as it is ferocious. Get ready for another year of tail-wagging excitement as 16 top dogs from mountain crews across the globe vie for the coveted title of Pinnacle of Pooch. From avalanche hounds to snow patrol pups, this is a showdown of dogged dimensions. Between March 25 and April 2, be sure to paw through our Ikon Pass Instagram and cast your vote in round 1. HOW TO PLAY Follow Ikon Pass on Instagram and keep an eye on our stories starting MARCH 25 to cast your vote for your favorite mountain mutt. The doggos with the most votes each day will advance to the next round. Be sure to stay tuned and vote all week. The Pinnacle of Pooch will not only take home the title but will also receive a donation to their human friend’s chosen animal shelter. And since every good dog deserves a bone, all 16 canine contestants will be able to take home sweet salivating swag. DAY 1: SNOW’S BEST SNOUTS (16) With 16 pups ready to rumble, it's time to sniff out your favorites. DAY 2: ELITE LITTER (8) With 8 fur-babies left, the competition heats up. Head to our stories and choose the cream of the canine crop. DAY 3: FINAL FUR (4) In the battle for the Final Fur, only the strongest snoots will prevail. Swipe through our stories and make your bark heard. DAY 4: FETCHING FINALS (2) It's the day every dog dreams of – the Fetching Finals. Choose your champion and rally your pack by tagging your friends. Every vote counts. DAY 5: PINNACLE OF POOCH The ultimate title is on the line as we crown the winner of the 2024 Bark Bracket. Get ready to celebrate in true tail-wagging style. PAW-SOME PRIZES Pinnacle of Pooch $500 donation to handler’s shelter of choice Year’s supply of food & joint supplement packs from Dr. Tim’s Basecamp bed and Huck-a-Cone toy from Ruffwear Customized harness & badge from Ezy Dog 2nd Place 3 bags of food + joint supplements from Dr. Tim’s Basecamp bed and Huck-a-Cone toy from Ruffwear Customized harness & badge from Ezy Dog 3rd Place 2 bags of food + joint supplements from Dr. Tim’s Basecamp bed and Huck-a-Cone toy from Ruffwear Customized harness & badge from Ezy Dog 4th & 5th Place 1 bag of food + joint supplements from Dr. Tim’s Basecamp bed and Huck-a-Cone toy from Ruffwear 6th – 16th Place 1 bag of food + joint supplements from Dr. Tim’s 40% off codes for Ruffwear THE CANINE CONTESTANTS Olive Home Mountain: Arapahoe Basin Role: As one of the newer additions to the dog program she's constantly improving on her buried victim search. Age: 1 year Breed: Black Lab Favorite treat: Broccoli. Boy does she love broccoli. And beer... but that's a given for patrollers, right? Tony Home Mountain: Snowbird Role: Avalanche Search and Rescue Age: 11 months Breed: Labrador Retriever Nickname: Tonado, Rigatony, Tony Bologna Special Trick: Tony can jump onto Paul, his handler, shoulders from the ground. Stormy Home Mountain: Alyeska Resort Role: Avalanche Search Dog Age: 2 years Breed: Golden Retriever Nickname: Stormy the Pow Dog Favorite Snacks: Time sheets, medical tape, Post-its, footbeds, SAM Splint's, uniform tags Aley Home Mountain: Copper Mountain Role: Avalanche Rescue Dog in training. She's also a professional serotonin booster for Copper Mountain's patrol. Age: 5 months Breed: Golden Retriever Nickname: Land Shark Favorite Treat: Besides the cat food she tries to steal, probably whole frozen cucumbers. Annie Home Mountain: Schweitzer Role: Avalanche Rescue Dog and Patrol Ambassador Age: 9 years Breed: Yellow Lab Nickname: Rocket Favorite Toy: Duct tape ball - it's as glamorous as it sounds. Kio (Full Name: Khione- Greek Goddess of Snow) Home Mountain: Crystal Mountain Role: Avalanche Rescue Dog candidate Age: 3 years Breed: English Shepherd Nickname: Titi, Deedee, Fiona, Khione Funny Habit: Army crawl across the snow and summersaults down the slopes. Daisy Home Mountain: Steamboat Role: Avalanche Search and Rescue Dog Age: 2.5 years Breed: Black Lab Special Trick: Riding on a stand up paddle board Charlie Girl Home Mountain: Winter Park Role: Good Dog / Search Dog Age: 2 years Breed: Pure Bred Good Girl or Golden Retriever Nickname: Chuck Favorite Toy: Old ski socks Winston Home Mountain: Sugarloaf Role: Part of the IT team; Sugarloaf Greeter & Ambassador, and always first to lend a hand post lunch meeting cleanup Age: 3 years Breed: Retriever Nickname: Chuck Special Trick: Giving 4 paws of approval for the new Bucksaw Express lift opening! Ripley Home Mountain: Sun Valley Role: Avalanche Rescue Dog Age: 2.5 years Breed: Golden Retriever Nickname: Ripper Funny Habit: Ripley sometimes will ride in a backpack at the end of a long patrol day and takes that opportunity to take a nap. Hunter Home Mountain: Tremblant Role: Marketing Mascot / Ambassador / Model Age: 5.5 years Breed: Golden Retriever Nickname: Ripper Funny Habit: Hunter sleeps on his back, paws in the air, and head on a pillow. Shelby Home Mountain: Camelback Resort Role: Marketing Meeting Crasher and Unofficial Camelback Ambassador Age: 8 months Breed: Border Collie Mix Nickname: Shelbert, Shel Silverstein, Shelly, Shelty Favorite Toy: the singular arm that she ripped off of her sloth toy and loves with her whole heart. Ruby Home Mountain: Aspen Snowmass Role: Patrol Dog at Buttermilk Age: 1 year Breed: Scottish Field Golden Funny Habit: chasing butterflies Brackett Home Mountain: Palisades Tahoe Role: Palisades Avalanche Dog in training Age: 6 months Breed: Golden Retriever Nickname: Baby Shark Fun Fact: Brackett loves hiking and rafting with his handler, on his days off. Thunder Home Mountain: Palisades Tahoe Role: Alpine Avalanche Dog Age: 3 years Breed: Labrador Retriever Nickname: Thunderpants Jetty Home Mountain: Mt. Bachelor Role: Avalanche Dog in training Age: 2 years Breed: Golden Retriever Nickname: Jethro Theodore (his nickname when he is in trouble) Funny Habit: Jetty loves to pounce on any pine cone that falls from the trees and attempt to chew them up

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avalanche dogs

The 2024 Bark Bracket

THE 2023 BARK BRACKET