Add a large portion of snow, an equal amount of mountains and a dash of our favorite avalanche rescue dogs, and we found the perfect ingredients for a smile!

Everyone loves these four legged and furry friends that keep us safe during the winter. But did you know these interesting facts?

● The original avalanche dogs, St. Bernards, were used by 18th century Monks living in the Alps between Italy and Switzerland. In 200 yrs they rescued more than 2,000 men, women, children and soldiers.

● Breeds like Labradors, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers (including cross-breeds) with a strong hunting drive are usually great rescue dogs.

● One dog can search a hectare of avalanche terrain (which takes a human 4 hours) in only 30 minutes.

● Most avalanche dogs start training at 6-12 months of age.

● While friendly and cute – rescue dogs are working, not socializing unless the handler indicates so. Handlers work to guarantee the dog’s attention will be focused on two people only: the handler and the victim.

Below are some of our favorite Avalanche and Rescue Dogs from the 2016-2017 Winter Season!

1. Jiggs at Snowbasin

Jiggs wants to know if he will see you next week at the Snowbasin Avalanche Dog Fundraiser! There will be lots of awesome prizes for the free raffle and the silent auction. For a list of all the items check out the event on facebook or our website! All the proceeds will benefit Wasatch Backcountry Rescue! #snowbasinresort #skiutah #myogden @skiutah @visitogden #skipatrol A post shared by Snowbasin Resort (@snowbasinresort) on Mar 16, 2017 at 4:25pm PDT

2. Watson at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

Happy Birthday to Alpine Patrol Dog Watson who turned one year old today! Photo: @ben_arnst #alpinedogs #mysquawlpine A post shared by Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows (@squawalpine) on Feb 19, 2017 at 5:35pm PST

3. Hattie & June at Taos

Sharing is caring! Hattie and June hard at work. #skitaos #avydog #woof #dogswithjobs #dogsofinsta #powderhounds A post shared by Taos Ski Valley (@skitaos) on Jan 16, 2017 at 10:36am PST

4. Lucy at Alta Ski Area

It really is the simple things in life that bring the most joy. Watching Huck chase the @altaskiarea avalanche rescue puppy, Lucy, in the snow was one of the most joyful moments of my whole year! @gopro A post shared by Ｂｒｏｏｋｅ ↟ ｆｒｏｅｌｉｃｈ (@brooke.froelich) on Nov 23, 2016 at 7:20am PST

5. Josie at Sun Valley

6. Lumen at Solitude

7. Luna at Beaver Creek

Today we welcomed Luna the #avydog from @beavercreek! She got a helicopter ride to A-Basin’s summit for a Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment (C-RAD) drill. #flightforlife #nationalskipatrol #CRAD @beavercreekskipatrol 📷: Tim the Pilot A post shared by Arapahoe Basin (@arapahoe_basin) on Mar 3, 2017 at 1:57pm PST

8. Lily at Mt. Hood Meadows

9. Mt. Bachelor

10. Sunday River