The 2024 Bark Bracket

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