Becoming a ski patrol?

Question

I am an avid skier and love the mountains. I also love helping people out so if i wanted to become a ski patrol what would the steps be? I think you gotta take the nsp's oec course? And what are the age requirements or is that up to the employer?

Answer 1

You definitely have to be prepared to take a lot of medical classes- that's the most important part of being a patroller.

Answer 2

Best thing to do is ask your local hill's patrollers. We have candidates at our hill who have completed the OEC but aren't considered full members of the patrol just yet.

In our case, candidates must put in a full season before they are allowed to patrol on their own. This allows them a lot of time to shadow other patrollers and get practical experience with the sleds and dealing with real medical problems.

I don't know what the minimum age is. We have kids who have completed the OEC who are as young as 16. You have to have  CPR certification, which, ARC used to set at 14. It may be lower now.

If the hill you want to patrol at pays its patrollers or you are seeknig a paying patrol job, there may be a higher minimum age...like 18.

Answer 3

iam a ski patroller in training you

have to take first aid and about a half a dozen other things

that you must know  the courses usally take about 3 month to complete

you must also ski usaully 200-300 hours with patrol

what you should do is be a lift buddy

you get up there early and just follow ski patrol around

but last you must prove yourself to have all mountain ski ability not just the groomed runs you must prove yourself

just hang out with the patrollers

thats it