Ski Patrol jobs

Chronic_

Chronic_

Active member
So I'm gettin to the point in highschool where i need to start "thinking about my career choices" and right now what I'd like to do is move out west and get a job as ski patrol for a bigger resort (PC, Vail, etc) for during the winter and having my own little landscaping business during the summertime. any NS'ers had any experience as ski patrol or does anyone else think this is even a good idea?

Thanks yo.
 
From what I know out west its pretty hard to get a paying patrol job. In most places you need to have first aid qualifications (some places require emt certifications), avalanche certifications, and then you usually end up as a unpaid volunteer patroller for a couple of years and work your way into a paying job. I've never looked into it much so I could be very wrong but from what I've seen this is pretty close to what a lot of mountains require.
 
yah ive done a little bit of research and it looks like ill need to take a first aid class and probably get emt certifications. I know a few people who work for the local fire dpt. so they can probably help me out there. Thanks Karma ++
 
Smaller resorts usually NEED patrollers, Paid at that. Just a tip if your starting out. Work your way up to a larger resort maybe.
 
The national standard for professional (and maybe volunteer, Ive never done that one) is Outdoor Emergency Care which is a 100 hour course. It is often easier to find an EMT class, which is 120 hours, and since it is more comprehensive, you just need to take a quick 8-hour contest course and test (mine only took 4.5 or so) and voile, you have your medical taken care of. Often times is is more difficult to get on with bigger resorts, especially those with control work, but I would find a smaller hill to do it at, its still the best job you can find. pm me if you have any specific questions.
 
i'm actually taking an emt course right now to get my certification so i can keep my options open after graduating. from what i've found, most resorts require an emt license, and an outdoor emergency care is usually recommended if you want to get paid. i've talked to a few emts, and from my understanding, you don't get paid very well. here's something else you might want to consider: you might have to commit more of your time to work than actual skiing, so you've got to think about what your motives are for considering ski patrol.
 
i'm actually taking an emt course right now to get my certification so i can keep my options open after graduating. from what i've found, most resorts require an emt license, and an outdoor emergency care is usually recommended if you want to get paid. i've talked to a few emts, and from my understanding, you don't get paid very well. here's something else you might want to consider: you might have to commit more of your time to work than actual skiing, so you've got to think about what your motives are for considering ski patrol.
 
here in Colorado I have noticed most patrolers are also emt or firefighters and patrol PT. the FT patrolers are both EMT cert and outdoor emerg care certified. a lot of co resorts MAKE you take the outdoor class. you learn a few things in that class then you do in the emt course. its geared for outdoor rescue and medical aid. its a real cool class also.
 
For pro patrol around here its usually level 2 avy certification, plenty of first aid, 21 years or older, and be a really damn good skier, they will let you do speed control like stuff with less though.

 
Honestly I think if youre from washington you should do snoqualmie though, just because they have the east side of the freeway to give you tons of patient experience, and you can start phasing yourself in across the freeway if you have what they need. That way you can just come in with medical background and add certs as you go, as opposed to doing all the education, and then starting the job. just an opinion though.
 
I took my OEC for a patrol job. Really good course. 100 hrs but we did ours in about 80. OEC is a lot more comprehensive than OFA and WFA, but WFA teaches you how to do things with very little medical supplies.

If the hill does avalanche control you generally need to have your CAA Level 1 (in canada). Kicking Horse specifically just wants you to be registered for it and take it some time that year.

Patrol jobs are quite often very competitive at big resorts because of minimal turnover. Doing one year at a smaller hill will make you more experienced and more likely to get hired at a big place.

You will make very little money. In BC it is $2000 worth of courses to make $11/hr. However you do get to ski a lot. Out side of Avy control (depending on the hill), most of your day involves riding around. Keep in mind you are on the payroll, wearing a uniform, and are supposed to be watching people, so it's not your typical riding.
 
hey thanks for the info. I also forgot to mention I will most likely be going to collage to get a business degree or whatever. If you have anymore info PM me. Karma +++ to all.

thanks
 
for volunteer patrol, the only thing i had to take was the OEC course. as said before, it was about 100 hours, but it was a lot of fun, you develope useful skills, its an all around interesting experience. for paid patrol out west, you're def going to need avalanche courses and probably more intense medical training, i'm not sure what courses you'd need though. if you've got time before you leave for college, i def recommend taking the oec course and getting a job as a volunteer patroller at your local hill.

as to the job itself, it can be a lot of fun, and there are a lot of perks. skiing for free, first chair, testing out closed trails, getting amazing discounts on great gear, etc. but of course, there are going to be times when someone will really mess themself up. its no fun, and its a big responsibility. you will definitely not work as much as you ski, however. good luck man
 
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