Brighton Ski Patrol's blog

WBR Avalanche Rescue canine and handler teams gathered at Brighton Resort 11-07-2001 for an annual obedience and socialization test. Teams from Brighton, Alta, Snowbasin and The Utah Olympic Park passed the annual test and exhibited strong skills. Evidence of the hard work put in over the summer months showed in all the teams. After the testing process each dog had a turn at 4 phase progressions ON SNOW, for the first time of the season.

Members from WBR UDOT, Brighton and Snowbird responded with Salt Lake County Sheriff SAR to an incident off the pfeifferhorn peak in Little Cottonwwod Canyon weds 5-11-2011. A party of two backcountry skiers fell while descending the NW couloir resulting in 1000 ft "slide for life" through the couloir and over a cliff at the base. WBR teams responded on the ground and in the air with help from a Life Flight helicopter crew. The two patients were packaged, transported to a landing zone and flown from the backcountry. 

Brighton Resort hosted a revalidation test for Canyon's Resort avalanche rescue dog team Dan Costaschuk and Linus. The team worked hard for the entire 20min test scenario. Dan and Linus cleared the path, finding two articles and one live victim. Finding only one victim the team worked quickly to recover areas and clear margins. Upon conclusion of the test when asked "is the site was clear?" Dan replied with a smirk "yes i believe it is". The training and effort this team has put forth is evident in their travel and practice. They are a great asset to The Canyon's Resort and WBR

Alta Ski Resort WBR avalanche rescue dog team Dave Richards, Jake ("the dog"), and Helen visited Brighton Resort 2-9-2011 for level "A" revalidation testing. Dave's experience, training and dedication are very evident in the way this team moves and searches. The team recovered two victims, an article, and cleared the path in the 20 min test. They received a passing score with high marks in all areas. Dave and Jake ("the dog") are obvious assets to Alta Patrol and WBR.

Brighton Snow Safety, WBR and the Utah Avalanche Center have developed this course to support education of Brighton Resort "side country or slack country users". The course focuses on Conscious decision making, Using UAC forecasts, Safe travel, Avalanche terrain recognition and management. Brighton Snow Safety is committed to providing education to the staff and users of Brighton Resort. We offer Brighton Backcountry 101 courses once a month through March.  Next course Feb 11th-12th, 2011. For more info contact dodge@brightonresort.com

On Monday Dec 13th WBR Brighton, The Utah Avalanche Center, and Brighton Education Program (BEEP) hosted our annual Know Before You Go Avalanche Awareness Clinic. This FREE clinic is geared toward Brighton employees, and open to the public. Presentations by the Brighton Patrol and UAC educate users about avalanche awareness, side-country use, and Brighton policies. With over 180 employees and guests in attendance it was a fun and educational evening. Thanks to The Utah Avalanche Center and Brighton Resort for thier support.

As the season draws to a close Brighton WBR would like to offer thanks to all the volunteer professionals who make this organization great. Brighton WBR responded to 15 backcountry incidents in the 2009-2010 season. Three avalanche call-outs included. Assistance of a buried avalanche victim recovered by his partner in a heroic beacon search, evacuation of a backcountry skier after losing his equipment in an avalanche, and a precision stabilization and evacuation of a severely injured backcountry avalanche victim with SLC SAR and Airmed personnel. WBR Brighton personnel responded to 12 other backcountry recreation injuries in and around the Brighton Basin including skiers, snowboarders and even a snow mobiler.

    During the week of December 13th through the 19th, Chris Hansen, and his chocolate lab Maizey attended the annual CARDA dog school at Kickinghorse Mountain Resort. in BC, Canada.  Both Chris, and Maizey had a tremendous learning experience, and enjoyed meeting some of the people from the rescue community in Canada.  There were about 24 teams in attendance, split into groups of 4 spread about the mountain in different training areas.