THE 2023 BARK BRACKET

Over the next week, 16 members of safety pawed squads will compete for their respective mountain crews. We’re pitting these snow-loving pups against one another in our first ever Bark Bracket. And while every doggo is a winner in our book, this is a bracket full of barks, puppy pics, and perfect paws. That’s where you come in. Tune in to our Ikon Pass social channels starting March 23, and help pick the Pinnacle of Pooch.

How to Pick

Follow Ikon Pass on Instagram, and check out our stories starting March 23 to start voting for your favorite mountain pup.

The dogs with the most votes each day will move on to the next round.

Each member of the Final Fur will receive a box of treats, toys, and other dog delights from Ikon Pass and Yeti. The Pinnacle of Pooch will receive a donation to their human friend’s favorite animal shelter of choice.

DAY 1: SNOW’S BEST SNOUTS (16)
Starting with 16 pups, you’ll have the chance to choose who you’d like to pet the most.

DAY 2: ELITE LITTER (8)
With 8 fur-babies left, we enter the round of the Elite Litter. Tap on over to our stories to pick the pooch that has what it takes to bard and play all the way.

DAY 3: FINAL FUR (4)
Head on over to our stories to select your best snout. It’s time to tell who yaps and who’s leading the pack.

DAY 4: FETCHING FINALS (2)
Today is the day that all dogs dream of. Who will win the tail-wagging trophy? Pick your pooch and tag your friends as your 6th man. They may just be the person power needed to put your pooch on the podium.

DAY 5: PINNACLE OF POOCH
The winner of the Bark Bracket will be crowned.

The Canine Contestants

Ahsoka

Home Mountain: Palisades Tahoe

Role: Avalanche Rescue Dog in training

Age: 2 years

Breed: Belgian Malinois

Nickname: “Bear”

Favorite hobby outside of work: Training & running

Biskit

Home Mountain: Winter Park

Role: Avalanche Rescue Dog

Age: 5 years

Breed: Boarder Collie

Favorite Treat or Toy: BACON+ Frisbee

Favorite hobby outside of work: Squirrel Herding

Bomber

Home Mountain: The Remarkables (NZSki)

Role: Alpine Avalanche Rescue Dog

Frieda

Home Mountain: Kitzbühel

Role: Winter Hike Ambassador

Age: 1.5 years

Breed: Tollerdoodle

Favorite hobby outside of work: mountains, mountains, mountains

Shasta

Home Mountain: Mt. Bachelor

Role: Avalanche Rescue Dog in Training

Age: 6 months

Breed: Golden Retriever

Favorite hobby outside of work: Annoying and playing with his brother, Banyan, who is a retired Mt. Bachelor Avy Dog

Joni

Home Mountain: Solitude

Role: Avalanche Search and Rescue Dog

Age: 5 years

Breed: German Wirehaired pointer and Chocolate Lab mix

Favorite Toy: She loves her red Kong toy

Favorite hobby outside of work: Running fast and jumping really high!

Julep & Gandalf

Home Mountain: Blue Mountain

Role: BMR Inn “Fur”ont Desk Ambassadors

Age: 2.5 years

Breed: Irish Wolfhound

Favorite Treat: Blue Mountain dog cookies!

Favorite hobby outside of work: Sleeping, eating, and running

Lillie

Home Mountain: Copper Mountain

Role: Avalanche Search and Rescue Dog

Age: 1.5 years

Breed: Black Labrador Retriever

Favorite Treat/Toy: Lillie’s favorite toy is her little stuffed hedgehog and her favorite treat is her greenie or as we call them her toothbrushes. She gets one every night after dinner, and she knows where we keep them, so she’ll stand right by the box and wait until she gets one.

Favorite hobby outside of work: Fetch, swimming and getting belly rubs!

Mabel

Home Mountain: Snowbird

Role: Avalanche Rescue Dog

Age: 3 years

Breed: Boarder Collie

Favorite Treat/Toy: Jolly ball and salmon jerky

Favorite hobby outside of work: Fishing and skate skiing

Oscar

Home Mountain: Coronet Peak (NZSki)

Role: Staff Morale Officer

Age: 8.5 years

Breed: Bichon / terrier

Favorite Toy: Balloons

Favorite hobby outside of work: Fetch

Oski

Home Mountain: Mammoth

Role: Avalanche dog

Age: 1.5 years

Breed: Labrador retriever

Favorite hobby outside of work: Meeting new dogs and watching the big dogs train.

Powder

Home Mountain: Steamboat

Role: Official Safety Dog

Age: 6 years

Breed: Saint Bernard

Favorite Treat: Bacon

Favorite hobby outside of work: Loves being outside of the gondola

Riggins

Home Mountain: Alpine Meadows

Role: Avalanche Rescue Dog

Age: 8 years

Breed: Golden Retriever

Favorite Treat/Toys: gloves and shoes (as toys, not treats)

Favorite hobby outside of work: Launching off the docks at Donner Lake

Romeo

Home Mountain: Snowshoe

Role: Challenged Athletes of WV Mascot

Age: 4 years

Breed: Newfoundland

Favorite Treat/Toys: marrow bones (or sandwiches if he can sneak them), favorite toy is an oinking pig

Favorite hobby outside of work: swimming in the lake or river, or chasing the mini bike

Tikka

Home Mountain: Arapahoe Basin

Role: Avalanche Dog

Age: 5 years

Breed: Golden Retriever

Favorite Treat/Toys: @bixbi toy or any tug toy

Favorite hobby outside of work: Winter: Rolling in snow Summer: Swimming or just sitting in water

Tingo

Home Mountain: Deer Valley

Role: Avalanche Search and Rescue Dog

Age: 1 year

Breed: Border collie and blue heeler mix

Favorite Treat/Toys: Toy: Stuffed squeaky duck named Pattio; Treat: Whatever the ski school kids drop at lunch

Favorite hobby outside of work: Winter: Playing frisbee and riding chair lifts (not at the same time)