Most of you spend half the season working up the nerve to hit a wind lip that barely qualifies as a feature. You speed check, you hesitate, you roll down the windows, and you land in the backseat. It’s embarrassing.
Meanwhile, Bandit—a 20-pound dog standing a foot and a half tall—is out there in the backcountry absolutely sending it.
Bandit’s owners, Sarah and Ben, aren't just taking the pup for a walk on the groomers. They are deep in the backcountry, and this dog is treating natural features like a Freeride World Tour venue. The footage circulating shows Bandit launching a six-foot cliff.
The Physics of the Send
Let’s break down the mechanics here. To the uninitiated, six feet sounds like a playful hop. But scale matters. For a dog of Bandit's stature, dropping six feet is the equivalent of a human sending a 20-foot cliff.
Watch the technique. There is no hesitation. No side-slipping the entry to gauge the landing. He spots the transition, engages his rear legs, and sends it deep. His air awareness is dialed, and he stomps the landing with four-point suspension that puts your blown-out ACLs to shame.
Backcountry Reality Check
While we can laugh about a dog shredding harder than the average weekend warrior, this highlights a core tenet of freeride skiing: Commitment. The moment you hesitate above a line is the moment you get hurt. You either commit to the air, or you don't go. Bandit commits.
However, the backcountry isn't a dog park. If you are bringing your canine partner into avalanche terrain, you need to treat them like a member of the squad. That means managing their exposure to hazards and ensuring they are equipped for the conditions. Deep snow, tree wells, and cold temps kill dogs just as easily as they kill unprepared tourists.
If you're serious about backcountry missions with your pup, get them the right gear. A solid pack for them to carry their own food and water, and safety lights for visibility are non-negotiable.
Gear Recommendations for Backcountry Dogs (and Humans):
- Canine Pack: Ruffwear Approach Dog Pack – Make them carry their own weight.
- Safety Beacon (For You): Mammut Barryvox S – Don't step past the gates without one.
- Paw Protection: Ruffwear Grip Trex Dog Boots – Ice cuts end the day early.
The Takeaway
Next time you're standing on top of a line, shaking in your boots because the drop looks "too big," remember Bandit. He’s 20 pounds, he’s naked, and he’s sending cliffs four times his height without blinking.
Stop overthinking it. Spot your landing, keep your weight forward, and send it.
Source: Unofficial Networks
