A season pass to Cardrona and Treble Cone (TC) ski areas is up for grabs this evening (Friday May 27) at a fundraiser for Aspiring Avalanche Dogs.

The event is being held at Kai Whakapai and will include spot prizes, an auction and live music.

Aspiring Avalanche Dogs chairman and founder Matt Gunn said he is looking forward to the 2022 season with two operational dog teams.

“It’s business as usual for Aspiring Avalanche Dogs in 2022,” Matt said. “We’re looking forward to providing avalanche dog coverage at TC.”

The highly trained dog teams are members of NZLandSAR Dogs, which can be rapidly deployed around the clock to help locate skiers, snowboarders, and mountaineers unlucky enough to be caught in an avalanche in the Southern Lakes region and beyond.

“On average we have two deployments a season,” Matt said. “In most cases the dog is used as part of a broader search to help the team reach the conclusion that there is no-one left to find.”

Aspiring Avalanche Dogs is a non-profit organisation and registered charity based at TC and Matt said proceeds from tonight’s fundraiser will go towards operational running costs and costs relating to the welfare of the dogs.

Raffle tickets for the season pass are on sale today at Racers Edge and limited tickets will be available this evening at Kai Whakapai.

Donations can also be made on the Avalanche Dogs givealittle page.

Matt said he would like to express thanks to all the people in the community who give their support.

The fundraiser event begins at 5pm.

PHOTO: Anna Allan