Introducing Sancho, Mammoth Mountain’s Newest Avy Dog

The High Sierra just got a little furrier. Meet Sancho, Mammoth Mountain’s newest avalanche rescue dog in training. With boundless energy, an eagerness to please, and a snout for snow, Sancho is gearing up to join one of the most elite, and adorable, safety teams in the Sierra.

Avalanche rescue dogs play a vital role in mountain safety. Response time is critical after an avalanche, and these dogs can search large areas far faster than any human team. Trained to detect human scent through deep snow, avy pups can locate buried victims far quicker than their sapien counterparts. Behind their wagging tails and flopping ears lies years of disciplined training. Handlers work closely with their dogs through drills, simulated rescues, and obedience work to ensure they can perform under pressure.

Resorts across North America rely on avy dogs to bolster their snow safety programs, and their presence adds a little extra something To the slopes. Between missions and drills, you’ll find them riding snowmobiles, hopping on chairlifts, and making guests's hearts melt. Maybe heroes really do come in all shapes and sizes.

So, while these four-legged rescuers are trained to save lives, the fervor around this instagram post proves something else entirely. We really love them because they’re ridiculously cute.