By Diana Lee, Communications and Marketing Manager (diana.lee@skipatrol.ca)
In 2025 we launched our Pets of Patrollers feature to highlight the happiness and comfort we experience when our animal friends interact with us.
Let's meet our pets for February:
Shasta, Alberta
Shasta is a pure-bred German Shepherd and a certified avalanche rescue dog that is a regular at Lake Louise. No one dares to ask the age of a lady… some things are kept private.
Andrew Young is the bi-ped human that is Shasta’s companion (Shasta would dispute that Andrew is her “owner”). While Andrew is not a patroller, he is with Banff EMS and is a vital partner with the CSP at Lake Louise Ski Resort. He volunteers his time as an advanced medical responder to the Lake Louise Snow Safety Team and he and Shasta are a part of the patrol family.
Andrew and Shasta are frequently at the hill supporting patrol operations. Shasta keeps busy training, performing public relations and hosting interviews with the guests, running through the alpine, and attending hut duty to make sure everyone is safe.
With thanks to: Cody Whitten, Lake Louise Ski Resort.
Oli, Quebec
Hello, my name is Pascale Fréchette, and my two-year-old Labrador Retriever is called Oli.
He's a perfect dog, very social. He's an excellent retriever, with junior retriever titles in Quebec.
Having a dog is therapeutic in itself. Oli has a lot of love to give and is very good company. His first visit to Mont-Fortin in Saguenay-Lac St-Jean went very well. He doesn't chase skiers, ha ha.*
* NfT (note from the translator): Liberal transltion
Owner: Pascale Fréchette, Patrol Leader, Centre de ski Mont-Fortin, SLSJ.
How to get your pet featured
Please send an email to Diana Lee (diana.lee@skipatrol.ca) with the subject line: “Pets of Patrollers: Your Name, Your Pet Name” and the following details:
- Name, age, breed of your pet (e.g., Onyx, two years old, German Shepherd dog).
- Fun fact or an interesting detail about your pet and what they mean to you.
- Attach a photo of your pet (bonus points if they are wearing CSP gear :-).
- Your zone and the name of the resort(s) you patrol at.
Mental health is an important aspect of the Canadian Ski Patrol.
Even for those who don't have pets, interacting or even seeing an animal can boost their mood. Just think of the positive impact of therapy dogs.
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