SAT . PHOTOS: Banjo, Alta’s longest-tenured avalanche dog, passes away at 15 years old
ALTA, Utah (ABC4) — The Alta Ski Area announced on Wednesday that their longest-tenured avalanche dog died after serving for 13 years and retiring.
Yellow Labrador Banjo was a long-time avalanche rescue dog at the Alta Ski Area, hand-selected at seven weeks old to train and beloved by many. On Wednesday, Alta announced that he passed away last month at 15 years old.
Banjo was adopted from a midwestern home in Minnesota and reportedly scored well on the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test, which Alta says are the “SATs for working dogs”. Because of his aptitude, he was chosen to become an avalanche rescue dog.
According to Alta, the training involved games of tug that were replaced with searching for clothing in the snow and extensive exposure to outdoors and snow.
Banjo, Alta’s longest-tenured avalanche rescue dog, died at 15 years old (Courtesy: Alta Ski Area)
He also trained alongside several more experienced avalanche dogs and helped train the next generation. Alta says that avalanche dogs “normally retire between eighth and ten years old”, but Banjo kept going until he was around thirteen.
Eventually, Banjo worked with Alta Ski Patrol and Wasatch Backcountry Rescue (WBR), gaining several certifications. Alta says, “He walked uphill to work, through the snow, both ways. He was a blue-collar working dog, wearing a red collar and a red WBR vest.”
While Banjo never had to pull anyone out of the snow, he spent many years searching snow fields to ensure that there was not anyone trapped or buried. He retired at 13 after having difficulty hearing commands but continued to spent time around the Alta administration offices until he passed.
Alta Ski Area concluded, “In his later years, Banjo became a big brother and took great pride in escorting his little sister on daily walks to school—his final important duty in a life devoted to helping others. Banjo will be deeply missed by his family, coworkers and Alta skiers around the world.”
