JOIN SKI PATROL
Email recruiting@spvsp.org or use our Contact form to get in touch with us about joining ski patrol.
Why Join Summit West Ski Patrol?
The Summit West Volunteer Ski Patrol is by no means your only option for joining a ski patrol in the Seattle area. We’re partial, of course, but we think we’re one of the best choices. Here’s why:
- No assigned shifts. You pick when you want to patrol. You choose your shifts as long as you complete the shift count requirements.
- Lots of action. We typically see more first aid incidents at our area, so if you like the ideas of lots of hands-on help this is the place for you.
- Early to open. Typically, Summit West is the first of the four Summit at Snoqualmie ski areas to open for the season. Get bragging rights after a weekend on the hill while everyone else is still closed.
- Family-friendly atmosphere. Your family is welcome to stay in the building. Get to know other patrol families.
- Terrain. Summit’s terrain tends to be a bit easier, but we’ve also got steeps and cliffs (well hidden!). Come ski with us for a day and we’ll show you around and find the secret stashes.
Common Traits & Requirements for Ski Patrol
Ski patrol is exciting and rewarding, and it’s true that there is no one-size-fits-all mold for this role. However, there are some common traits and requirements that most ski patrollers share:
- Desire to Help Others: Ski patrollers are often the first responders if an accident happens on the slopes. They need to have a genuine desire to help people in distress and be compassionate in their approach.
- Emergency Care Skills: Ski patrollers are trained in emergency medical care, so a willingness to learn and apply these techniques is essential. This includes skills such as first aid, CPR, and more advanced medical training. If you are new to this, don't worry, we'll train you.
- Skiing/Snowboarding Proficiency: Ski patrollers should be strong skiers or snowboarders and need to be able to navigate the slopes at Summit West efficiently to reach injured individuals quickly.
- Safety and Enjoyment: Patrollers play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all skiers and snowboarders. They need to be committed to upholding safety standards on the mountain and assisting guests in having a positive experience.
- Team Player: Patrollers often work closely with other team members, including fellow patrollers and resort staff. Being a team player is important for effective communication and collaboration in emergency situations.
- Physical Fitness: The job can be physically demanding, so a reasonable level of physical fitness is required to handle the various tasks, including carrying rescue equipment, managing sleds, and assisting injured guests.
What is the Process to Join?
All patrollers are certified as OEC technicians, which can be attained in a class which typically runs in late summer or early fall. OEC classes are offered by many patrols nationwide, and course offerings can be found at the National Ski Patrol’s website. This class is nationally accredited, meaning you do not have to take the class from our patrol or in our state.
When the ski season begins, candidates take a 6-to-8 week course learning to use toboggans on the hill. This class typically requires one or both weekend days, depending on the skill level of the candidate. Candidates are required to have intermediate to advanced level on their skis or snowboard. However, don’t let skill level deter you from joining - being a patroller is a great way to advance your skill level!
After toboggan training is completed, candidates must complete a series of on-hill and first-aid room tasks which are tracked on a check-off sheet. These tasks cover all patroller duties and responsibilities and are geared towards helping candidates understand the full range of patrol responsibilities and to familiarize candidates with the various procedures for each responsibility.
Upon completion of the check-off sheets, candidates are welcomed onto the patrol as full patrollers.
Email recruiting@spvsp.org or use our Contact form to get in touch with us about joining ski patrol.
Time Commitments for a Candidate Year
Ski Test
Approximate Time Required:
1 weekend day
The ski test is to see if your skiing or snowboarding ability is strong and confident enough to be able to learn to transport injured persons down the mountain in the toboggans. During the test, we will run you through drills of certain maneuvers on all types of terrain — sideslip, falling leaf, traverse/kick turns, long- med- short-radius turns, “crud” skiing, bumps, etc. You do not have to be a fast or “pretty skier”, but you do need to be secure and confident.
OET (Toboggan Training)
Approximate Time Required:
6-8 weekends
If you pass the ski test, then you must join the National Ski Patrol before you begin training. Alpine Patrollers take toboggan training in the winter & spring (Saturday or Sunday).
OEC
Approximate Time Required:
90-120 hours over 8-12 weeks
An emergency first-aid class taught by the National Ski Patrol. The courses are held in the Seattle area.
CPR/AED Training
Approximate Time Required:
1 day
Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (CPR/BLS) certification course by the American Heart Association. A general Red Cross CPR class does not meet this requirement.
On the Hill Training (OTH)
Approximate Time Required:
1 day
The candidates will attend the on-the-hill (OTH) training with the rest of the patrol. The four summit patrols put on shared OTH training during to learn and practice avalanche and chairlift evacuation procedures.
Final Certification
Approximate Time Required:
Varies
Before final acceptance onto the patrol, candidates must complete an on-hill check-off list and a first-aid room check-off list.
Subsequent Annual Time Commitments for a Patroller
OEC Refresher
Approximate Time Required:
1 day
It is critical that patrollers attend the OEC Refresher every year to remain certified. If you fail to attend the OEC Refresher, you could lose your certification, and would have to take the entire OEC course all over again in order to continue patrolling.
CPR/AED Recertification
Approximate Time Required:
4 hours
CPR/AED recertification must be done annually to stay up to date on the best practices for responding to a cardiac emergency.
OTH Refresher
Approximate Time Required:
1 day
It is important to attend the OTH refresher each fall to practice your skills so you can respond competently should a chair evacuation occur.
Duty Shifts
Approximate Time Required:
15 Shifts
Patrolling comes with many benefits and in return patrollers on roster are expected to work at least 15 duty shifts.
Toboggan Recertification
Approximate Time Required:
During a regular day duty shift
At the beginning of each season, patrollers need to demonstrate their tobogging skills to show they are able to reliably transport a patient.
What is Expected of Me as a Member of the Summit West Ski Patrol?
Patrollers are generally required to work about 15 shifts credits per season. Shifts for volunteers are Saturday and Sunday. You may also get extra shift credit for certain holidays (Christmas or New Year’s Day). You can schedule your shift at your convenience as there is no set schedule at Summit West Ski Patrol. You are also welcome to work more shifts per season than are required!
Types of Patrollers
Because the patrol has a variety of responsibilities, we require a variety of patrollers.
Patroller
Patrollers are trained in first aid and participate in on-hill patient care, hill maintenance, and first-aid room care. Anyone, even those who do not ski or snowboard, is welcome to become a Patroller candidate.
Alpine Patroller
Alpine Patrollers performs all of the same duties as Patrollers but are additionally certified to transport patients in toboggans. Alpine Patrollers can be skiers or boarders, including telemark. Though Alpine Patrollers aren’t required to be expert skiers, they must be able to safely and confidently handle any terrain at West under any conditions. Candidates will be evaluated for skiing or boarding ability.
Assistant Patroller
Assistant Patrollers (APs) are persons who have joined patrol but are not yet OEC technicians. They are required to remain with a patroller and can participate in hill management (ie. opening/closing), chair evacuation (if trained), running empty or loaded toboggans (again, if trained) and any other ski patrol duty excluding all first aid/patient contact. There is a 1-year limit on participation in the AP program.
Doctor Patroller
Physicians are welcome. As a state-certified MD or DO, doctors are exempted from OEC training as their medical training goes beyond OEC standards. These medical associates can perform all the same duties as the non-physician patrollers but are permitted to utilize their advanced medical training when needed.
Other Medical
At this time, the NSP does not directly accept the medical credentials of EMTs, Paramedics, RNs, PAs, etc. However, they may be eligible to challenge the OEC curriculum for an OEC certification.
What Does it Cost?
Along with the time commitment, there is also a financial commitment, especially the first year. The costs below are approximate, but best to budget in the neighborhood of $400. Discounts on equipment are available through the National Ski Patrol.
- The OEC course with books and materials ($50–$100)
- CPR/AED course ($10)
- Your own ski or snowbaord equipment
- Your own inclement weather clothing suitable for harsh mountain weather
- Your own backpack or other means to carry your patrol gear