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Time Machine,

Inside an Avalanche

Avalanche dogs dig through piles of snow to save people’s lives. What’s it like to be one of these special dogs?

By Tricia Culligan
From the February 2023 Issue
Lexiles: 600L-700L, Easier Level
Guided Reading Level: N
Featured Skill: Knowledge Building,

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Think and Read: Building Knowledge

As you read, think about what it would be like to be an avalanche dog.

Jeremy Swanson

It’s a beautiful snowy day in Colorado. Swoosh! An 8-year-old girl is skiing down the slopes of a mountain. But then, out of nowhere, disaster strikes.

Boom! A huge section of snow breaks off the mountain. It comes roaring down the ski slope, burying everything in its path. It’s an avalanche! 

A huge mass of ice, snow, and rock pushes the girl more than 400 feet down the mountain. Then she vanishes beneath the snow. 

Now it’s up to you to find her. You’ve been specially trained for moments like this. You put your nose to the ground and start sniffing. 

What are you? You’re an avalanche dog—a special kind of rescue dog. And you’re this girl’s only hope of surviving. 

It’s a snowy day in Colorado. Swoosh! An 8-year-old girl is skiing down the side of a mountain. But then something horrible happens.

Boom! A huge chunk of snow breaks off the mountain. The snow rushes down the mountain. It buries everything in its path. It’s an avalanche!

Ice, snow, and rock push the girl more than 400 feet down the mountain. Then she disappears under the snow. 

Now it’s up to you to find her. You have special training. You’re ready for moments like this. You put your nose to the ground and start sniffing. 

What are you? You’re an avalanche dog. That’s a special kind of rescue dog. And you’re this girl’s only hope of surviving. 

Scholastic Art Dept. (Diagram); Goran Bogicevic/Alamy Stock Photo (Sign)

This is how most avalanches happen.

Buried in an Avalanche

Buried in an Avalanche

Avalanches are big piles of snow, ice, and rock that slide suddenly down a mountain. They can move at 100 miles an hour. That’s faster than a car speeding on a highway! When the avalanche finally stops, the snow packs together and hardens like a rock. 

Avalanches don’t usually occur in areas where people ski or snowboard. But if they do, a person can get trapped under the piles of snow. 

It’s extremely difficult to find a person buried in an avalanche. That’s where avalanche dogs come in.

Avalanches are big piles of snow, ice, and rock that slide down a mountain. They happen suddenly. And they’re fast. They can move at 100 miles an hour. That’s faster than a car speeding on a highway! When the avalanche finally stops, the snow packs together. It hardens like a rock. 

Avalanches don’t usually happen in places where people ski or snowboard. But if they do, a person can get trapped under the piles of snow. 

It’s extremely difficult to find a person buried in an avalanche. That’s where avalanche dogs come in.

Aspen Skiing Company 

READY TO RESCUE When there is no emergency, avalanche dogs can be found relaxing with their trainers or practicing their drills.

Special Training 

Special Training 

Avalanche dogs begin training as puppies. They learn to run through snow, ride on sleds, and safely get on and off ski lifts. These ski lifts, along with helicopters and snowmobiles, help the dogs travel up and down mountains.

Avalanche dogs also practice rescues. Humans hide under mounds of snow. When a trainer yells “Search!,” the dogs look for the hidden people and dig them out. After each practice, the dogs get a reward: a game of tug-of-war!

Avalanche dogs begin training as puppies. They learn to run through snow and ride on sleds. They also learn to safely get on and off ski lifts. These ski lifts, along with helicopters and snowmobiles, help the dogs travel up and down mountains.

Avalanche dogs also practice rescues. Humans hide under piles of snow. A trainer yells “Search!” The dogs look for the hidden people and dig them out. After each practice, the dogs get a reward: a game of tug-of-war!

Every Second Counts

Every Second Counts

Back at the scene, you sniff the area. It’s extremely dangerous for a person to be buried in an avalanche. It’s freezing cold, and there’s little room to breathe. Your hopes of finding the girl alive fade with every second that ticks by. Are you too late?  

Suddenly, you let out a loud bark and start to dig. Could it be? Under 4 feet of snow, you’ve found the girl! She’s scared but alive. Thanks to you, another person has survived an avalanche. 

Luckily, avalanche dogs are needed for only a few rescues a year. Avalanches rarely happen at ski trails or ski resorts. But when they do, they can be deadly. That’s why you’re always ready for your next rescue.  

Back at the scene, you sniff the area. It’s very dangerous for a person to be buried in an avalanche. It’s freezing cold. There’s little room to breathe. Your hopes of finding the young girl alive fade with every second that ticks by. Are you too late?  

Suddenly, you let out a loud bark and start to dig. Could it be? Under 4 feet of snow, you’ve found the girl! She’s scared but alive. Thanks to you, another person has lived through an avalanche. 

Luckily, avalanche dogs are needed for only a few rescues a year. Avalanches don’t usually happen at ski trails or ski resorts. But when they do, they can be deadly. That’s why you’re always ready for your next rescue. 

Courtesy of Summer Blot (Headshot); S. Blot - IceCube/NSF (Summer in Antarctica)

 A BRAVE SCIENTIST Scientist Summer Blot explores Antarctica. 

THINK AND WRITE

Imagine you’re the avalanche dog from the story. You meet another dog that wants to know what your job is like. In a short paragraph, write an answer to your furry friend.

THINK AND WRITE

Imagine you’re the avalanche dog from the story. You meet another dog that wants to know what your job is like. In a short paragraph, write an answer to your furry friend.

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Can't Miss Teaching Extras

Dogs are great for rescues of all kinds! Share the Big Read article “Dogs to the Rescue” about pups who rescue swimmers at the beach. Then ask your students to compare avalanche rescue dogs and beach rescue dogs.

To learn about another working dog, check out our February 2018 Mini Read “America’s Favorite Dog Hero.”

Read about another animal hero—Cher Ami—a pigeon who rescued American soldiers, in the fascinating Big Read feature from May/June 2020, “The Pigeon Hero of World War I.”

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