Ski Patrol

A ski patrol is a group that consists of both paid and volunteer members whose job it is to provide first aid and rescue services to skiers and other snow sport participants. Many ski resorts employ their own ski patrol, but backcountry settings are often patrolled as well. Patrollers are trained to stabilize and transport injured victims so that they can then be moved to more advanced care facilities.

Ski Patrol Requirements

Ski patrollers most often have the training of an EMT-B, which consists of basic first care. They can also have EMT-I, or paramedic, training which would make them knowledgeable in more skilled procedures like starting IVs, although in search and rescue situations, where they are battling against the elements, getting the casualty stable and ready for transport takes precedence over any other procedure.

In addition to the active members of the ski patrols, many organizations have first aid rooms or lodges which consist largely of non-skiing positions. Here patrollers who no longer have the ability to tow toboggans or who can no longer ski can administer emergency care to casualties after they are removed from the dangerous environment. Some patrols also include junior ski patrols which include trained members between fifteen and eighteen years old. Depending on the organization, junior ski patrol members’ responsibilities may or may not be limited.

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Ski Patrol Jobs

Ski patrol is not only limited to rescue missions, however. These individuals will also frequently be found on the slopes, enforcing rules and policies, boundaries (especially if backcountry skiing is prohibited in that area). Another duty of ski patrol is to prepare the site with essential equipment and to help conduct trail checks to ensure maximum safety for skiers. Transportation for ski patrollers to evacuate casualties is often limited to toboggan, snowmobile and helicopter. Because of this, members of this group are well trained for things like avalanche search and rescue employing methods like helicopter rappelling. The ski patrol themselves can be alpine or cross-country skiers, as well as, contrary to the implication of the title, snowboarders.

National Ski Patrol

The National Ski Patrol, or NSP, is the patrol governing body for the Unites States as well as some parts of Europe. Charles Minot Dole founded this organization after he was injured skiing in 1938 and had difficulty evacuating himself from the area. Today, the NSP is the world’s largest winter rescue organization. These patrollers can be recognized by their red jackets which are marked with a white cross on the chest and back. They may also sometimes wear an older design which is rust and blue with yellow crosses front and back.