Super Sniffers
Alf Alderson meets the avy dogs training to be truly man’s best friend when things go seriously south in the mountains.
Skiing Above Les 2 Alpes
Should you find yourself skiing the glacier above Les 2 Alpes in December (an activity that is highly recommended since it lies at an altitude of 3200m), you may be surprised to encounter the barking, yapping, and yelping of over-excited dogs.
Every December, ANENA, the French organization for the study of snow and avalanches, holds its annual avalanche dog training course here, off the side of the Puy-Salié drag lifts on the Glacier de Mantel. Teams of prospective avy dogs and their handlers descend—technically, they ascend—upon the resort to undertake a two-week course. At the end of the course, they aim to receive a diploma recognized throughout Europe and South America as the highest level of avalanche dog training (North America has its own training scheme).
The assortment of border collies, German shepherds, and golden retrievers—the main breeds used as avy dogs—don’t seem to know they are “training.” As ANENA directeur Guy Anciaux points out: “The dogs don’t know they are working; for them, it’s fun!”
That’s clear from their wagging tails and the focused intensity each dog displays as it waits for commands from its trainer. Teams from across the French Alps, Pyrenees, and Andorra participate, and on the day I visit, they’re nearing the end of the training program.
Acting as an Avalanche Victim
I get to act as an avalanche victim for Icaré and his trainer, Rudolf, to find. I’m buried in a snow hole, with just enough room to move around, holding a sturdy dog toy that carries my scent. (Side note: if you ever need encouragement to avoid avalanches, try spending a few minutes in a snow hole. The cold, darkness, claustrophobia, and muffled silence vividly highlight how terrifying an avalanche burial would be.)
Meanwhile, Icaré and Rudolf stand 50 meters away. Rudolf holds the eager dog on a tight lead, indicating the general area of my “burial” before releasing him.
Icaré takes off like a bullet, skidding to a halt at the site and immersing his snout in the snow. From below, I hear faint scuffling as Icaré searches for the scent. Moments later, frantic digging begins above me, and soon black paws and a ridiculously enthusiastic face appear.
Icaré isn’t aware that he’s “saved” my life; he’s simply thrilled to find his toy. With a vice-like grip, he tugs so hard that he nearly pulls me out of the snow hole.
A job well done for Icaré, fun for him, and relief for me as I emerge from the cold, dark hole. (In case you’re wondering, I headed to the excellent Diable au Coeur mountain restaurant afterward.)
Life-Saving Work
The work of teams like Icaré and Rudolf is often, literally, life-saving. In the French Alps, around 30 people die annually in avalanches, and approximately 200 people are caught in slides each year. Avalanche dogs often rescue individuals buried in snow without transceivers.
A trained avalanche dog can search a hectare of avalanche debris in about 30 minutes. By comparison, 20 humans with probes would take four hours to cover the same area. Speed is critical in avalanche rescues: 90% of victims survive if recovered within the first 15 minutes of burial. This drops to 30% after half an hour and just 10% after two hours.
Avalanche dogs are trained to detect “pools” of human scent from buried victims, often intensified if the victim is panicking. The dogs also learn practical skills like riding ski lifts, snowmobiles, and helicopters safely. The two-week course at Les 2 Alpes is the final step in training that begins when the dogs are just a few months old. Successful completion of the course ensures a rewarding role for both dog and handler, while also making the slopes safer for everyone.
A Remarkable Bond
A close bond between handler and dog is essential. They operate as a single unit, with the dog responding instantly to commands and the handler constantly aware of the dog’s actions.
Most avy dogs live with their handlers, meaning they spend 24 hours a day together during the ski season. This continuous partnership fosters an extraordinary connection, making their work on the slopes truly exceptional.
