GENERAL TRAINING INFORMATION

    So you want to be a volunteer ski patroller. What next? The best suggestion I can make is to walk into the patrol room of your chosen ski resort and ask somebody how/where/when you can get on their patrol. Bear in mind that not all mountains have volunteer patrollers, so you might have to ask around. Most of the information presented here will apply to all ski resorts; however some of it will obviously vary from place to place. 

    At Loveland there are both paid pro patrollers who work full time and volunteers who work at the weekends. There are two types of volunteer patrollers; Auxiliary patrollers and Hill patrollers, all of who must complete the Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) course described here. Hill patrollers must pass a ski and toboggan test and fulfill their duties by sitting at the top of a lift. Auxiliaries do not have to pass a ski test because their primary duty is in the patrol room. Auxiliaries have the same responsibilities while skiing, except for toboggan transport, and may participate in pre-sweep, sweep, and work details, but are not obligated to ski where they are not comfortable. More information on the day-to-day responsibilities of patrollers is available here.

    The first year is (very) training intensive. The Senior Alpine Toboggan training starts in January and runs through March or early April. Candidates usually need at least 10 days training with toboggans before taking the test. The Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) training runs from mid-August through early December. OEC consists of 2 evening classroom sessions a week in Denver until the ski area opens. You will then train outside in the snow once a weekend until your final test. The OEC course is similar to an EMT basic, with a lot of added material covering the winter aspect. The training time commitment is substantial, but well worth it after you are done. 

    Once you are a patroller, you’re expected to put in at least 22 weekend days over the season, which at Loveland runs from mid-October until early May. This is a very big time commitment and is definitely something to think about before you start your training. There is also a refresher commitment in the fall that includes two full days at the ski area and an evening CPR refresher. 
    So how much does it cost?. Most of these costs will be incurred during your first year. Approximate costs are as follows (some are tax deductible):
Annual dues: $85 (most of that goes to the National Ski Patrol)
OEC class: $130 (includes books, study guides etc.)
First Aid Supplies: $30
Uniform: $100 - $200
CPR class: $45
Except for the dues, most of these are one-time fees.

    So what do you get in return I hear you ask? Benefits include a season pass for yourself, which may be used during the week, and then your choice of either a family pass or an extra ‘comp’ ticket for each day you ski (you get double comps after a certain number of days skied). Comps are good for two years after they are issued, and may be given to family, friends, co-workers etc. They may not be sold, and constitute immediate dismissal if you are caught doing so. Other benefits include pro-deals on equipment, restaurant and ski shop discounts, ‘first tracks’, cutting lift lines, and sometimes skiing closed areas before the public. And of course there is the benefit of being part of a great group of diverse people. I won’t lie to you, it’s a huge commitment, but it’s worth it. Follow the links below for more training information and to find out what life is really like on patrol.