Ski Patrol
WELCOME TO THE PATS PEAK SKI PATROL!
We are the people who work to promote safe skiing and riding on the mountain.
During the winter season, you will find patrollers on the hill during all operating hours. Our team consists of a mix of volunteers and paid patrollers who are all trained to help treat and transport injured guests.
Our Patrollers are either members of the National Ski Patrol or the National Registry of EMTS. We are trained to provide specialized First Aid with special emphasis on outdoor sports injuries in an outdoor environment. Regardless of our backgrounds, we are all held to the same on-hill training requirements.
Our First Aid Room, located next to the Main Lodge, is open whenever the mountain is open to the public. Anyone with an injury should go to the First Aid Room for medical care or call (603) 428-7911.
You will recognize a Patroller by their red jacket with the white cross on the back.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A PATROLLER
Our Ski Patrol opens the mountain every morning by riding and inspecting each lift. We ski all trails before opening them to customers. We check for snow and grooming conditions as well as for any hazards that may be present.
Once the mountain is open to the public, we spend time in-between calls for assistance by training and working on mountain improvements.
Since it is essential that we are always prepared for any incident that could occur on the mountain, we commit several hours a day to checking and maintaining on-hill and First Aid Room equipment, and to reviewing and improving emergency plans and procedures.
We also inspect the lifts and trails throughout the day, promoting safe skiing and riding along the way.
JOIN THE TEAM
Our Ski Patrol is comprised of paid, volunteer, and young adult patroller positions.
Interested in joining patrol?
- The first step is to email [email protected] to schedule an on-hill interview during the winter with the Supervisor team. We will spend a few hours skiing/riding with you and getting to know you. This gives us a chance to evaluate your skill level to ensure you have a solid foundation. We will run you through a series of skill drills including: sideslip, snowplow, traverse, long/medium/short radius turns etc. You do not have to be an expert skier/rider, but you do need to be comfortable, competent, and confident in all terrain and in all conditions and have a stable base.
- Training- the first season is a candidate season which will be your most demanding season patrolling. We a have a thorough self-paced training program for new candidates. Training consists of multiple parts which is broken down in to several parts as highlighted in the Candidate Training Book. These include:
- Outdoor Emergency Care/Emergency Medical Technician- Patrol candidates can choose which first aid certification best fits their needs. These courses are generally held in the off season. Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) is specific to Ski Patrol but does not carry reciprocity in other industries. Emergency Medical Technician is a longer and more expensive course but provides many other options for using the certification.
- Transportation- Skiing/Riding skills and emergency transportation with a toboggan in all conditions and on all trails
- CPR- For the Healthcare Professional annual refresher
- Mountain Operations/Risk Management to include opening/closing, trail maintenance, lift evacuation, rope rescue and ski area operations
- The Patrol Jacket (or Cross) can be worn once all training requirements are successfully demonstrated and the Candidate Book is complete. This generally takes 6 weeks to 2 seasons dependent on the motivation of the candidate (this does not include the additional time required to obtain OEC or EMT certification.)
- Expense: Becoming a ski patroller can be quite the financial endeavor. Costs to join include:
- Registration with the National Ski Patrol (approx. $150 and increasing yearly- required for those not affiliate with NREMT)
- CPR certification $50 initial cost
- OEC course fee: $150
- OEC text book: $100
- Equipment- skis/boots/jackets/pants/helmet all provided by you and should be up to date
- Ongoing training:
- Annual Refresher Weekend in November that includes:
- Annual OEC refresher
- Annual lift evacuation and CPR refresher
- On-going continuing education on the hill during the season
- Annual Refresher Weekend in November that includes:
- Shift Requirements:
- Volunteers: 16 pre-scheduled shifts during the operating season. Shifts are scheduled by the patroller based on their availability and generally run opening-4pm or 4pm-closing.
- Paid: minimum of 2 shifts a week with one of those being an evening shift
- Benefits!
- Volunteers receive seasons pass for themselves and their dependents provided they are maintaining their requirements
- Discounted guest day passes
- NSP discounts
- Ski Resort discounts (cafeteria, pub, ski shop)
- Locker room storage (limited availability based on seniority)
- Free/discounted skiing and riding at other resorts
- The right to wear the Cross!
IMPORTANT! Your candidate year is incredibly challenging, both physically and mentally. It requires a large time commitment, dedication, and motivation to complete the candidate book. However, once it is complete, you will enjoy patrolling and the benefits for years to come. Our team is very committed to training if we see the same commitment from you. If you are ONLY interested in free skiing/riding, we suggest you invest in a season pass or check out employment with other departments here at Pats Peak.
MOUNTAIN HOSTS
Mountain Hosts are ambassadors of the Pats Peak Ski Patrol who help our customers enjoy our ski area. Mountain Hosts are found on the slopes assisting guests by answering questions, directing customers to various guest services, help guests find the right runs for their ability, promote safe skiing and boarding and help the ski patrol with daily operations.
Mountain Hosts will have successfully completed Basic First Aid and professional rescuer CPR. Mountain Hosts have a bright green jacket or vest and will be welcome to use ski patrol facilities (First Aid Room and Patrol Top Building). Mountain Hosts shall provide first aid according to basic first aid/CPR guidelines. Mountain Hosts are not be responsible for transporting injured guests.
For more information on joining the Pats Peak Mountain Host program, please email [email protected].
YOUNG ADULT PATROLLERS
Young Adult Patrollers are an age group only and does not determine the level of patrolling you do. High school students ages 15 and up can join the Young Adult Patrol (YAP.) Young Adult Patrollers who have taken the OEC course and completed their on-hill checklist just like an Adult Patroller can do what the adults do except for operating machinery such as our power drill, snowmobile, or act as a temporary lift operator.
Young Adult Patrollers receive extra training from our Young Adult Patroller Advisor and from seminars held around NH at various ski areas on OEC skills, skiing and riding, and toboggan handling. They also have an opportunity to attend a three-day Division Young Adult Patroller Seminar held somewhere in the North East. Each season is hosted by a different ski area, which allows the Young Adult Patrollers to experience a variety of terrain.
Our Young Adult Patrollers have become Outstanding Patrollers in the past. Since 1991 Pats Peak has had the Outstanding Young Adult Patroller Award in the country many times and the runner-up several times also.
Young Adult Patrollers are eligible for paid patroller positions once their candidate book is completed and they are 17 years of age.
SKI PATROL RESOURCES
National Ski Patrol website
New Hampshire National Ski Patrol website
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY CODE
- Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
- People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
- Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
- Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
- You must prevent runaway equipment.
- Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
- Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
- You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
- Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.
Know and Obey the Code.
It’s Your Responsibility.
Officially endorsed by:
Pats Peak Ski Patrol
1-888-PATS PEAK, ext. 201
[email protected]
