Gravy the Winter Park avalanche dog crowned champion of Ikon Pass contest
Colin and Lindsay Karge/Courtesy photo
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include the nonprofit Gravy’s donation will go towards and statements from Colin Karge.
Gravy, an avalanche rescue dog with the Winter Park Ski Patrol Dog Team, is having a moment in the spotlight.
Gravy won first place in a competition organized by the Ikon Pass. In the “Bark Bracket,” people could vote on their favorite four-legged patroller that works at an Ikon resort anywhere in the world.
“Whether he’s bounding through deep powder to work on rescue skills or racing alongside his ski patrol team onto the next job, he brings energy and enthusiasm to every day on the mountain and has even helped train other dogs,” Ikon wrote on its website.
On Gravy’s days off, he loves “sprinting in the snow, early morning walks and running alongside his parents while cross-country skiing,” according to Ikon, which added that the fun “keeps him in top form.”
Gravy is owned by ski patrol handler Colin Karge. Gravy joined the team as a fluffy puppy in 2020 and is now a dedicated and athletic dog.
Karge stated that he hopes appreciation is given to all of Winter Park Resort ski patrol and the hard work that goes into training avalanche dogs like Gravy.
In 2022, Gravy earned his inbounds certification, meaning he could rescue people within the bounds of Winter Park Resort. He also now has his validation through the Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment team. When dogs become validated, they can assist on rescue missions outside of the resort.
“The Bracket is a fun thing we do, but every team that has validated an avalanche rescue dog has put in a serious amount of work over a number of years,” Karge stated. “While cute, they’re searching machines with serious jobs and love doing their job.”
The competition began March 24 with 16 dogs. Votes were cast on the Ikon Pass’ Instagram page, whittling down the competition to four dogs. Gravy joined Sno from Grandvalira Andorra Resort, Reba from Schweitzer Mountain and Jetty from Mt. Bachelor Resort as voters’ favorite dogs. The pooches were part of the “Final Fur” and won a three-month subscription to Maev for Raw Food, supplement bars and freeze-dried treats.
Then there were two. Voters could choose between Gravy and Jetty on March 31. The competition was as fierce as the dogs are friendly. Gravy came out on top during the finals, thanks to his fans.
On April 2, Gravy won Ikon’s title as the 2025 Pinnacle of Pooch.
Gravy is just one of the canine rescuers on Winter Park’s dog team, which also includes Emma the Doberman, owned by Brian Roman; Biskit the border collie, owned by Rico LaRocca; and Charlie the golden retriever, owned by Erica Gilbertson.
Gravy, Biskit and Emma are Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment-certified, and Charlie (in training) has her inbounds certification.
“Many of us in the patrol community have trained together and are proud to be resources for the mountains we live in,” Karge stated. “These dogs also help bring up morale and support mental health within our ski patrol teams.”
About the Bark Bracket
The Bark Bracket actually got its start at Winter Park Resort, thanks to an idea from Winter Park local Katie Steinharter, the director of social media and content for Alterra Mountain Co.
A few years ago, she was chatting with Winter Park Resort employees about how it would be fun to feature resort dogs in a competition similar to basketball’s March Madness bracket — “because dogs are so much more fun” than basketball, she said.
The Bark Bracket kicked off in 2023, with Powder from Steamboat Resort taking the title.
“Each year, we open it up to any Ikon Pass destination to submit their local working dogs to be featured, and then our social media fans vote in a bracket-elimination-style on the Ikon Pass Instagram Stories until one dog remains,” Steinharter explained.
For his 2025 win, Gravy earns a $1,000 donation. Karge chose this to go to Grand County Pet Pals, to help fund construction of its new shelter. Since Gravy is a good boy, he also earns an Ikon Pass collar, dog bed and toys.
Follow the Winter Park dog team on their Facebook page or Instagram at @wpspdogteam.
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Gravy is ready for a day of adventure in the snow. For avy dogs, work is play.
Colin and Lindsay Karge/Courtesy photo
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Gravy stands proud for his portrait at Winter Park Resort in 2022.
Danny Minard – Winter Park Resort/Courtesy photo
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