Interested in Becoming a Ski Patroller?
Like to ski or snowboard? Like helping people? Like learning? Then joining the National Ski Patrol (NSP) is your kind of thing!
Anyone with basic ski or snowboarding proficiency who is 15 years old or older can study and work toward becoming a patroller. Classes are taught locally through our own Huff Hills Ski Patrol instructors who are nationally certified by the NSP.
Huff Hills' candidate ski patrollers learn to manage and apply appropriate first aid procedures as “first-responders” to medical emergencies in all types of settings through the NSP's formal training program, Introduction to Patrolling, more commonly known as "Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC)". Training includes (1) The study and passing a test of the "Outdoor Emergency Care" textbook material, (2) Passing a practical exam of emergency care techniques and skills, and (3) Learning proper techniques for safe and effective transportation of injured skiers and snowboarders, including the operation of the toboggan, and verification of a baseline of skiing/snowboarding skills.
What do Ski Patrollers do?
Some things you can expect to do as a patroller include: Open and check the ski area to ensure it is safe for public use; offer assistance to customers during ski area operations; safely close the area at the end of the day by making sure all customers are accounted for (a.k.a, sweep); handle emergency chairlift evacuations if needed. Oh, and also ski and snowboard to your heart's content while hanging out with other ski and snowboard fanatics all winter.
Patroller Benefits
If you are a skier or snowboarder interested in becoming a member of our organization, please fill out the form below.
If you would like to read about what one patroller went through to become a Huff Hills Ski Patroller, read the blog he wrote about it.
Anyone with basic ski or snowboarding proficiency who is 15 years old or older can study and work toward becoming a patroller. Classes are taught locally through our own Huff Hills Ski Patrol instructors who are nationally certified by the NSP.
Huff Hills' candidate ski patrollers learn to manage and apply appropriate first aid procedures as “first-responders” to medical emergencies in all types of settings through the NSP's formal training program, Introduction to Patrolling, more commonly known as "Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC)". Training includes (1) The study and passing a test of the "Outdoor Emergency Care" textbook material, (2) Passing a practical exam of emergency care techniques and skills, and (3) Learning proper techniques for safe and effective transportation of injured skiers and snowboarders, including the operation of the toboggan, and verification of a baseline of skiing/snowboarding skills.
What do Ski Patrollers do?
Some things you can expect to do as a patroller include: Open and check the ski area to ensure it is safe for public use; offer assistance to customers during ski area operations; safely close the area at the end of the day by making sure all customers are accounted for (a.k.a, sweep); handle emergency chairlift evacuations if needed. Oh, and also ski and snowboard to your heart's content while hanging out with other ski and snowboard fanatics all winter.
Patroller Benefits
- The personal satisfaction of providing a valuable community service
- Season passes for active members in good standing, and their immediate family members
- Support and friendship of members of the patrol
- Potential for off season patrol activities
- Opportunities for advanced training and knowledge with National Ski Patrol programs
- Gear discounts through National Ski Patrol partnerships
If you are a skier or snowboarder interested in becoming a member of our organization, please fill out the form below.
If you would like to read about what one patroller went through to become a Huff Hills Ski Patroller, read the blog he wrote about it.
A Little More About the National Ski Patrol
In March 1938, the idea for starting a National Ski Patrol was born from a conversation between National Ski Association president Roger F. Langley, and Ski Patrol founder, Charles Minot "Minnie" Dole. Today, the nonprofit NSP still adheres to the creed of “Service and Safety” established by those gentleman more than 75 years ago. As the leading authority of on-mountain safety, the NSP is dedicated to serving the public and outdoor recreation industry by providing education and accreditation to emergency care and safety service providers. The organization is made up of more than 28,000 members serving over 650 patrols, including alpine, Nordic, and auxiliary patrollers.