Yellowstone Club hosts regional training for avalanche rescue dogs 

EBS STAFF 

In late March, the Yellowstone Club hosted training exercises for avalanche rescue dogs and their handlers for ski patrols and search and rescue units from Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Colorado.  

The session was led by John Reller, founder of Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment and a leader in K9 avalanche training, according to a press release from the Yellowstone Club. Rescue personnel and pups attended from Montana’s Bridger Bowl Ski Area, Lost Trail Ski Area, Teton Pass Ski Resort, Big Sky Resort and Yellowstone Club; Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort, Grand Targhee Resort, Tamarack Resort, Silver Mountain Resort and Teton County Idaho Search and Rescue; Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee Resort; and Colorado’s Summit County Rescue Group.  

The session included four days of on-mountain training at YC, and one day in the classroom at The Wilson Hotel.  

“Avalanche K9s are an integral part of rescue efforts in the aftermath of an avalanche,” Lance Stratton, YC ski patroller, stated in the press release. “Participants have historically had to travel to Colorado to obtain this level of training. We were thrilled to host John and all the participants from across the Mountain West.” 

Dog breeds included Labrador, brittany, border collie, dutchie, airedale, English shepherd, golden retriever and other mixed breeds. 

“These ski patrol K9 handlers and avy dogs came ready to work and learn,” John Reller stated. “It was a productive week of on-mountain and in-classroom education. I applaud the Yellowstone Club for organizing and hosting the training in a location more geographically accessible for many patrollers.”