Any patrollers here?

[Kingslug20]

Now that I'm retiring I'm wondering what to do. Any insight into patrolling?

 

[kbroderick]

Now that I'm retiring I'm wondering what to do. Any insight into patrolling?

The experience can vary tremendously depending on the patrol and mountain in terms of what they actually do (I think Killington probably runs more sleds on President's Day weekend than some places do all year). Most patrols I've been around have pretty good community within the patrol, though.

 

[2Planker]

Now that I'm retiring I'm wondering what to do. Any insight into patrolling?

Done it for 35+ years...
60-80 sleds/day during peak holiday season when I was at SR.

To start, you need EMT level BLS and CPR for the professional rescuer.
WFR aka "Woofer" Wilderness First Responder is also required by many patrols in NE.
OEC (Outdoo Emergency Care) is usually part of your initial "Candidate year" and done by the NSP Instructor/Trainer/Evaluators.
Ski test, sled training, and the OEC written exam all need to be passed.
Pass everything and you get "jacketed".
Most can do it in 1 season w/ serious dedication every weekend.
Many need a 2nd year to pass everything.
30%-40% will drop out after realizing that it is a fair amount of work and training every year.
Recertification "Refresher" weekend, every year, usually in Oct.

Most places require you to commit to 20-25 days/season to earn your free pass.
Then there's all the extra stuff that patrollers always get asked to do; checking passes, moving snow guns back off trail, slow zone visibility...
But you are always first on, and last off the hill. 7am-5pm

Sadly if you do the math, it works out to approx 250 hours/season for a $1,000 pass. or $4/hr.

Good people for sure, and lots of laughs sittin' in those top shacks.
It's rewarding when you work as a well trained unit to get a seriously injured guest off the hill asap.

Go for it Kslug ! Where are you considering ?

 

[Kingslug20]

Thinking of part time as committing to full time..not so sure. I'll be up at Stowe and SB now. We sold the house and will be moving up there as soon as we find a place. I really wouldn't want to do it every weekend so maybe start out volunteer. Lot of training..my friend did it for Plattekille but just couldn't commit after a while. He said the training was hard and it took him 6 months. Not worried about a free pass. I'm always helping out crash victims on the hill wherever I go. I'm amazed at how many just ski right by them..I always stop and have at times got some people out of pretty bad spots.

 

[ALLSKIING]

Talk to Jim about it through NY blog he most likely not reading AZ any more

Why is he not posting on AZ anymore?

 

[ss20]

Thinking of part time as committing to full time..not so sure. I'll be up at Stowe and SB now. We sold the house and will be moving up there as soon as we find a place. I really wouldn't want to do it every weekend so maybe start out volunteer. Lot of training..my friend did it for Plattekille but just couldn't commit after a while. He said the training was hard and it took him 6 months. Not worried about a free pass. I'm always helping out crash victims on the hill wherever I go. I'm amazed at how many just ski right by them..I always stop and have at times got some people out of pretty bad spots.

I'm not a patroller... but the process is a ton of work. I'd have a fallback ready like Ambassador if you have any doubts about doing it.

Of course I hope you do become a patroller. As a ski instructor I had to help load a teen onto a backboard bc patrol was so short staffed. I never want to do that again. It's not something for the faint of heart. I'll never forget the look of fear in the girl's eyes.

 

[kbroderick]

Thinking of part time as committing to full time..not so sure. I'll be up at Stowe and SB now. We sold the house and will be moving up there as soon as we find a place. I really wouldn't want to do it every weekend so maybe start out volunteer. Lot of training..my friend did it for Plattekille but just couldn't commit after a while. He said the training was hard and it took him 6 months. Not worried about a free pass. I'm always helping out crash victims on the hill wherever I go. I'm amazed at how many just ski right by them..I always stop and have at times got some people out of pretty bad spots.

I'm not sure if Stowe is NSP-affiliated or not. I thought they weren't, but they are on the list at the NSP Northern Vermont site (http://www.nspnvt.org/), which has contact info for a lot of patrol directors.

If I were going to join a patrol, I'd want to be committing to most, if not all, weekends the first year. It's important to build connections and also to get through the training and testing, IMO.

 

[NYDB]

Slug, You just retired, no need to get a job right away! Relax and enjoy the winter.

 

[2Planker]

Thinking of part time as committing to full time..not so sure. I'll be up at Stowe and SB now. We sold the house and will be moving up there as soon as we find a place. I really wouldn't want to do it every weekend so maybe start out volunteer. Lot of training..my friend did it for Plattekille but just couldn't commit after a while. He said the training was hard and it took him 6 months. Not worried about a free pass. I'm always helping out crash victims on the hill wherever I go. I'm amazed at how many just ski right by them..I always stop and have at times got some people out of pretty bad spots.

Thinking of part time as committing to full time..not so sure. I'll be up at Stowe and SB now. We sold the house and will be moving up there as soon as we find a place. I really wouldn't want to do it every weekend so maybe start out volunteer. Lot of training..my friend did it for Plattekille but just couldn't commit after a while. He said the training was hard and it took him 6 months. Not worried about a free pass. I'm always helping out crash victims on the hill wherever I go. I'm amazed at how many just ski right by them..I always stop and have at times got some people out of pretty bad spots.

That timeline is all for a weekend volunteer.
Definitely every weekend for your initial "candidate" year.
There is a ton of on snow training, almost every single weekend.
Once you get "jacketed" you can cut back to whatever they require for a minimum.
Usually 20-25 days.

The first year is a big commitment, and many "weekenders" just can't pull it off.

I've had several seasons where I can only ski 25-30 days, and 25 of them had to be "work days", usually Sat and Holiday weeks.
At that point, you have to consider if it is really worth it.
If you can get Family Pass benefits then it is always worth it.

Good luck !

 

[Kingslug20]

Then..I just will wait. We have a lot to do while up there this winter..as in finding a house. Houses in Waterbury/Stowe are in short supply now. ..which we hope will change in the spring. At least we where able to sell the CT one fast. Going from that one to a 2 bed condo for months will be interesting..

 

[2Planker]

Then..I just will wait. We have a lot to do while up there this winter..as in finding a house. Houses in Waterbury/Stowe are in short supply now. ..which we hope will change in the spring. At least we where able to sell the CT one fast. Going from that one to a 2 bed condo for months will be interesting..

If you live near the place then some can do weekday training.
But many offer their patrol training only on weekends and try to move all the candidates thru as a class.
Many of the NSP & OEC instructors are "weekenders"

Sounds like you have a lot on your plate for this season.
I'd check in w/ patrol director in March/April to see what certifications they require.
Any thing you can do over the summer, puts you that much ahead...
BLS, CPR and WFR are all available all over NE.
I teach WFR'S in NH and sometimes ME - https://www.wildmed.com

 

[Kingslug20]

I think thats what my friend did. Everything over the summer, then he was ready. I spent a day with him open to close and it was interesting. They practiced lift rescue which I think will come in handy..more these days. Sweeping the hill after everyone was off it was interesting as well. I think its something I could like but would not want to do it all weekend. I have a wife who skis and she can only ski weekends.

 

[eatskisleep]

Aask him he has his reason s

Sounds like some juicy gossip!

 

[Kingslug20]

Just ...what we need...

 

[2Planker]

I think thats what my friend did. Everything over the summer, then he was ready. I spent a day with him open to close and it was interesting. They practiced lift rescue which I think will come in handy..more these days. Sweeping the hill after everyone was off it was interesting as well. I think its something I could like but would not want to do it all weekend. I have a wife who skis and she can only ski weekends.

That's what my wife loves about it... She gets to ski w/ friends and I have to usually "work"on Sat.
We always get to take a couple runs together, usually early morning, but she's done by 2, and headed home.

 

[Kingslug20]

I imagine once we are up there permanently this could be the case..as of now she is stuck chasing after me all over the place. With varying results...