Ski Patrol

Our Ski Patrol is comprised of full-time, part-time, volunteer, and student positions. If you are interested in joining the Pats Peak Ski Patrol, please read on!

Pats Peak is a National Ski Patrol Mountain. To qualify, you must become certified in Outdoor Emergency Care, a specific level of training unique to the National Ski Patrol. OEC training classes are offered each fall, either at Pats Peak or at a neighboring ski area. Crotched Mountain will tentatively host the OEC course in the fall of 2008. We will host the course in the fall of 2009. The course runs for approximately 12 weeks, and is followed by a written and practical exam.

Classes are usually held on Sunday, depending on the instructor's availability. The cost of taking the course is roughly $150.00 and covers the cost of books: an Outdoor Emergency Care text book as well as a work book. Also included in the cost are the exam fees, which go to the national organization, and the fees for running the course, i.e. copies, mailing and supplies. Instructors receive no compensation from the course participants for teaching the class.

Click here for a sample OEC course syllabus

For those with a medical background, such as EMTs, Registered Nurses or Doctors, National Ski Patrol will allow you to challenge the exam. The testing fee is $30. We recommend several weeks of study before challenging the exam as the care, although much the same as that performed by EMTs, is specific to ski patrolling, and our conditions and equipment are unusual for most EMS workers. The best way to prepare for the challenge exam is to attend some fall OEC classes, or ski with us for a few weeks during the season and train on the hill with our Patrollers. We conduct training at specific times so be sure to check with us in advance.

In addition to OEC Certification, you will need to practice and demonstrate a number of skills and learn protocols specific to our mountain before you can wear the jacket and white cross of a National Ski Patroller. These skills include skiing/boarding mastery, toboggan handling and other on-hill procedures. While you are training, you will ski with us and, depending on your level of training, participate in Patrol activities. During training, you may go along with another Patroller and assist them on an actual incident. You are a Candidate Patroller until you have received your OEC certification and you have completed a checklist of these skills and protocols.

For those in the OEC class who are not already certified in Professional Rescuer CPR, we will conduct a class, either during or just after the OEC course. If you have further questions, please contact us at bobthebuilder@gsinet.net or call (603) 495-3555. During the ski season you can contact us at bob@patspeak.com or (603) 428-3245, ext 200 or 201.

More about the National Ski Patrol can be found at the national web site www.nsp.org.

If you are interested in taking our OEC Course or applying for a position with the Ski Patrol, please fill out the Patroller application and email it to us at bobthebuilder@gsinet.net. You may call my home at (603) 495-3555.

Bob Wright, Ski Patrol Director

IN WHAT CAPACITY WOULD YOU LIKE TO PATROL?

FULL-TIME, PART-TIME, OR VOLUNTEER

STUDENT PATROL

OUTDOOR EMERGENCY CARE COURSE APPLICATION (FALL 2008)
PATROL POLICIES (2008)

Ski Patrol Home | A Day In The Life Of A Patroller | Meet the Ski Patrol Staff
Join The Ski Patrol Team! | Student Patrollers
Patrol Policies | Resources For Current Patrollers
Contact Ski Patrol

OEC Course Application
Ski Patrol Application (Returning Patrollers) | Ski Patrol Application (New Patrollers)