Fresh off the Beaten Path: Ski Patrol Jobs

Published on 2008-08-06

Since the ski craze hit the U.S.in the 1930s, people have become intoxicated by the heady rush of binding metal rods to their feet and flying down mountains at blazing speeds. Over the years, the daredevils have become more daring, the stunts bigger and faster, and, consequently, the injuries more serious, sometimes even fatal. Anticipating a rash of accidents, Charles Minot "Minnie" Dole founded the National Ski Patrol (NSP) in 1938 to provide "service and safety" to outdoor recreationists. Today, more than 26,000 ski patrollers are recognized by the NSP as holding these recreation jobs with more than 600 patrols.

Ski Patrolling: What Exactly Is It?

Wearing their iconic red jackets, ski patrollers are the stewards of safety on the mountains, playing multi-faceted roles. When accidents occur, ski patrol is first on the scene to provide medical care and safely transport an injured skier(s) to a treatment facility. In this respect, ski patrollers' jobs closely resemble EMT healthcare jobs. In addition to rescues, ski patrollers may educate skiers about safe practices, enforce policies, provide avalanche control, prepare equipment for daily use, perform trail checks, and clear out any stragglers when the mountain closes. Thus, ski patrol jobs are also a combination of education jobs, service jobs, and safety jobs.

Personality Profile: Is Ski Patrolling Right for Me?

Of course a love and aptitude for skiing and/or snowboarding (the title is a bit of a misnomer; patrollers also work on snowboards, as well as Nordic, alpine, and telemark skis) is essential for these jobs in recreation. As ski patrol jobs are also fitness jobs, it goes without saying that a ski patroller should be in excellent physical condition and be an advanced to expert skier or snowboarder, able to traverse any run in almost any conditions.
The days can be long and the weather variable, so a ski patroller must have stamina. In addition to these physical qualities, he or she should have a desire to help people, as ski patrolling is also related to customer service jobs. Clear communication skills, the ability to make decisions quickly under pressure, and vigilance are all qualities that an aspiring ski patroller should possess.

Education, Training, and Experience: How Do I Become a Ski Patroller?

No specific education or experience is required to become a patroller, although patrollers are trained and screened carefully before they are hired for jobs in recreation. Depending on where they work, ski patrollers undergo rigorous training that may involve several hours of classroom work, on-snow practice sessions, and finally on-the-job training, before they can perform even ski patrol volunteer work. Much of the training, which could last a few years, will revolve around emergency medical care and transportation of injured skiers. Trainees may be required to earn CPR certification or pass the NSP's Outdoor Emergency Care program before they can take full-time or part time weekend jobs with a ski patrol.

Patrollers-in-training should also know that the cost of training, certification, and equipment can be significant, regardless if a trainee is interested only in pursing volunteer opportunities or part time jobs. However, the benefits can be just as great - free skiing at the best resorts in the country, the chance to be the first person to cut through freshly fallen snow, free passes for family, and social opportunities with other ski bums who are just as enthusiastic and committed to their fitness careers.

Ski Patrollers: Where Do They Work?

Ski patrollers work at ski facilities across the country on either a part-time or full-time basis. Some ski patrol jobs are paid, and some are volunteer jobs. All patrol jobs are seasonal jobs, restricted to when the facility is open. For people looking for student jobs, patrolling is the ideal flexible career, although patrollers are all ages. Under the right conditions, patrolling could also provide temporary jobs. The best ways to find a ski patrol job are to contact ski facilities where you would be interested in working and ask if they have any job openings. You can also use Fresho.com to find employment opportunities in your area.

The Future of Ski Patrolling

Although the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recognizes ski patrolling as an official occupation, it does not collect wage or labor data associated with such resort jobs. That being said, a February 2008 BLS survey of U.S. skiing employment (excluding facilities that offer overnight accommodations, classified in the traveler accommodation industry) indicated that work opportunities have mostly remained constant in the Western region comprised by California, Colorado, Minnesota, Utah, and Washington. In the Eastern region comprised of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Pennsylvania, job opportunities dipped in 2007 due to warmer temperatures.