By Kirstie Simpson, Head of Ski Patrol and Mountain Safety at Mount Sima (propatrol@mountsima.com)
There has been an avalanche/search and rescue dog as part of the CSP Team at Mount Sima in the Yukon since it opened in 1993. The first avalanche dog, Alex, was a golden retriever. Since then the avalanche rescue dogs have all been German Shepherds.
Avalanche dogs Alex, Jake, Lilly, Bodi, Ulu and now Kipper train with the ski patrol and are available to search for missing skiers and visitors on the mountain in the summer and winter, as well as to respond as needed to avalanche incidents in Yukon and Northern BC.
POV training with Kipper at Mount Sima. Video provided by Kirstie Simpson
Outside perspective of Kipper practicing rescue at Mount Sima. Video provided by Kirstie Simpson
K9 search and rescue and avalanche dog (in training) Kipper joined the Mount Sima team two years ago. He is a wilderness search-validated dog and will be training over the winter as an avalanche dog. He is on the hill most days with his handler, who is a member of the CSP patrol team.