Ski Patrol Love

KolaOnCoke

KolaOnCoke

Member
A lil late to international ski patrol day, but i wanna give a shout out to the ski patrol dudes at holiday valley NY.

Early in the day i got in the lift with a ski patrol guy, we made small talk and he seemed like a chill guy. A few hours go by and im in the park and i try to fs this pyramid rail. Go up, fs, land, then slip out. slammed pretty hard onto my left arm. As soon as i made it to the ground, i knew my arm was broken. i lay there and call for my friend. he finds a guy who calls for ski patrol, and the first guy to arrive is the guy who I was talking to on the lift earlier that day.

anyways, they got me down and healed up, and then about a week later they guy gives me a call to check in on me. that same day I recieved a letter from holiday valley ski patrol just wishing me well. Great guys over there!!
 
topic:KolaOnCoke said:
A lil late to international ski patrol day, but i wanna give a shout out to the ski patrol dudes at holiday valley NY.

Early in the day i got in the lift with a ski patrol guy, we made small talk and he seemed like a chill guy. A few hours go by and im in the park and i try to fs this pyramid rail. Go up, fs, land, then slip out. slammed pretty hard onto my left arm. As soon as i made it to the ground, i knew my arm was broken. i lay there and call for my friend. he finds a guy who calls for ski patrol, and the first guy to arrive is the guy who I was talking to on the lift earlier that day.

anyways, they got me down and healed up, and then about a week later they guy gives me a call to check in on me. that same day I recieved a letter from holiday valley ski patrol just wishing me well. Great guys over there!!
Click to expand...

Real
 
topic:KolaOnCoke said:
A lil late to international ski patrol day, but i wanna give a shout out to the ski patrol dudes at holiday valley NY.

Early in the day i got in the lift with a ski patrol guy, we made small talk and he seemed like a chill guy. A few hours go by and im in the park and i try to fs this pyramid rail. Go up, fs, land, then slip out. slammed pretty hard onto my left arm. As soon as i made it to the ground, i knew my arm was broken. i lay there and call for my friend. he finds a guy who calls for ski patrol, and the first guy to arrive is the guy who I was talking to on the lift earlier that day.

anyways, they got me down and healed up, and then about a week later they guy gives me a call to check in on me. that same day I recieved a letter from holiday valley ski patrol just wishing me well. Great guys over there!!
Click to expand...

Here in Europe, we don’t have ski patroll like in the US here it’s just a type of safety crew that brings injured people into the hospital, and the things i heard about the US is more like a type of police mixed with a safety crew, like i heard that they take passes if you do dumb shit and give you tickets if you go out of bounds, here going out of bounds is completely fine, and the only one’s who can take your pass are the liftys and they never take them only if you are disrespectful to other skiers or do really dumb stuff on the lift
 
14589786:belti02 said:
Here in Europe, we don’t have ski patroll like in the US here it’s just a type of safety crew that brings injured people into the hospital, and the things i heard about the US is more like a type of police mixed with a safety crew, like i heard that they take passes if you do dumb shit and give you tickets if you go out of bounds, here going out of bounds is completely fine, and the only one’s who can take your pass are the liftys and they never take them only if you are disrespectful to other skiers or do really dumb stuff on the lift
Click to expand...

depending on the size of the resort, sometimes there will be ski patrol, who is intended for medicla purposes, and then there will also be security people, who will yell at you or maybe even clio your pass or whatever if they think you are doing something wrong or against the rules. no one really likes those guys, but most of the time they will let you off with a warning.
 
14589786:belti02 said:
Here in Europe, we don’t have ski patroll like in the US here it’s just a type of safety crew that brings injured people into the hospital, and the things i heard about the US is more like a type of police mixed with a safety crew, like i heard that they take passes if you do dumb shit and give you tickets if you go out of bounds, here going out of bounds is completely fine, and the only one’s who can take your pass are the liftys and they never take them only if you are disrespectful to other skiers or do really dumb stuff on the lift
Click to expand...

hundreds of people would die if USA resorts operated like that haha
 
Paid patroller here. 3.5 weeks ago got caught in an avalanche while working. Ended up with a dislocated and broken shoulder. Out of work of both patrolling (my part time job) and my full time job. Losing over $1000/wk currently not working and dealing with worker's compensation. Last week I finally was allowed to see the surgeon, who made it obvious that I need season ending surgery, along with a 6+ month recovery. Worker's comp told me today it will be 10-14 days before they decide if I really need it or not.

Remember, everyone (including resort social media) loves talking about how much they love and support the patrol. Until patrol actually needs some support, and you get completely fucked by everyone.
 
14589786:belti02 said:
Here in Europe, we don’t have ski patroll like in the US here it’s just a type of safety crew that brings injured people into the hospital, and the things i heard about the US is more like a type of police mixed with a safety crew, like i heard that they take passes if you do dumb shit and give you tickets if you go out of bounds, here going out of bounds is completely fine, and the only one’s who can take your pass are the liftys and they never take them only if you are disrespectful to other skiers or do really dumb stuff on the lift
Click to expand...

I always hear this sentiment but what you’re describing you have in Europe is literally ski patrol in 90% of resorts in NA. Smaller resorts on the east coast sometimes have volunteer patrol or “mountain safety” on a power trip that enforce codes.

in all my years of patrolling I’ve clipped a handful of passes and only for one reason- cutting into closed in bounds avalanche terrain, which you don’t really have in Europe. Ski Patrol at large mountains is not only in charge of on piste trail work and first aid, but Avalanche mitigation. We take responsibility for a lot of terrain that you’d call “off piste” and mitigate that terrain to open it to skiiers when able. People ducking ropes and entering high risk terrain that we are liable for and constantly beat the shit out of with explosives is grounds for a refusal of service in the form of pass cutting, no? When people leave resort boundaries to go ski the sidecountry they within their rights to do so and are on their own. (Though if people rock their shit near our boundary we participate in SAR efforts when possible)

police behaviour outside of that instance is sometimes due to insurance liability depending on the local laws, (tree skiing is not allowed at some east coast resorts because of liability) but most often a fringe side of patrollers LARPing because they have nothing better to do. If people cut into runs that aren’t avy closed, I do not care. They’re usually closed because they suck, not because we’re hiding the fun. We have fired volunteers for talking down to guests.

I have patrolled at a few big mountain resorts in Canada, Monashees and Rockies. when I started patrolling, my responsibilities were trail work, and getting people down the mountain and into an ambulance. Sound familiar? Then I got into AC and my job was all that and forecasting/mitigating avalanches in bounds. We wear many hats, but police officer is not one of them.
 
14589800:jblaski said:
Paid patroller here. 3.5 weeks ago got caught in an avalanche while working. Ended up with a dislocated and broken shoulder. Out of work of both patrolling (my part time job) and my full time job. Losing over $1000/wk currently not working and dealing with worker's compensation. Last week I finally was allowed to see the surgeon, who made it obvious that I need season ending surgery, along with a 6+ month recovery. Worker's comp told me today it will be 10-14 days before they decide if I really need it or not.

Remember, everyone (including resort social media) loves talking about how much they love and support the patrol. Until patrol actually needs some support, and you get completely fucked by everyone.
Click to expand...

I feel for you brother. You’ll get that comp, you deserve it. Raise hell. It’s a really fucked up industry and I hope you’re able to get back at it and participate in making the change so badly needed; or get out and spread the wings. I know many folks organizing and fighting for their rights these days, I feel like big change is on the cusp of happening. I made my exit a couple years ago and I want you to know there’s so many opportunities in this industry that value your experience and skill set and will treat you right.
 
14589786:belti02 said:
Here in Europe, we don’t have ski patroll like in the US here it’s just a type of safety crew that brings injured people into the hospital, and the things i heard about the US is more like a type of police mixed with a safety crew, like i heard that they take passes if you do dumb shit and give you tickets if you go out of bounds, here going out of bounds is completely fine, and the only one’s who can take your pass are the liftys and they never take them only if you are disrespectful to other skiers or do really dumb stuff on the lift
Click to expand...

Some European ski areas literally have police on skis tho: https://www.policija.si/eng/prevention/safety-on-holidays/safety-on-the-ski-slopes/authorizations-of-police-officers-on-the-ski-slope

To echo the sentiment of the others here, most of the patrollers in the US are pretty much EMT's on skis, avalanche mitigation professionals, or a combo of both of those
 
14589792:eheath said:
hundreds of people would die if USA resorts operated like that haha
Click to expand...

The Apres ski bars are on the hill and require you to ski down in the dark 1000 ft to the base drunk as hell.

Its awesome.

The only time I saw the patrollers was when someone would come into the middle of the piste waving at me to stop not even in full patrol uniforms and then 10 seconds later a helicopter would come and lift someone up to take them away. Saw about 3 of those rescues so I assume the injuries weren't that bad and could easily have been handled with a sled. Dangling from a chopper with 2 patrollers holding onto you and the rope sounds fucking terrifying but thats how they did it at St Anton.

USA skiing culture fucking sucks. Taos got that storm what 7-8 days ago? That rich piece of shit only opened it to the public today think he spun it for his friends only all weekend.
 
14589800:jblaski said:
Paid patroller here. 3.5 weeks ago got caught in an avalanche while working. Ended up with a dislocated and broken shoulder. Out of work of both patrolling (my part time job) and my full time job. Losing over $1000/wk currently not working and dealing with worker's compensation. Last week I finally was allowed to see the surgeon, who made it obvious that I need season ending surgery, along with a 6+ month recovery. Worker's comp told me today it will be 10-14 days before they decide if I really need it or not.

Remember, everyone (including resort social media) loves talking about how much they love and support the patrol. Until patrol actually needs some support, and you get completely fucked by everyone.
Click to expand...

I saw my boss go down today during sweeps, he had a boot-top fracture and is over 60, so he's done for a long time sadly. He was the one who interviewed me for my current position too as a paid rookie. It sucks to see, but I hope you have a strong recovery and are able to gain financial support. its still the greatest dead-end job in the world.

I personally love patient follow-ups. I had a 14 year old last season fracture his tibfib just below the patella during bike patrol season and it was a rough call, but me and my boss decided to send him a gift basket full of cool stuff like skate stuff and bike stuff and stickers and his family was super happy. Hearing people made it home to their loved ones safely is the best part of the job.
 
14590228:PeppermillReno said:
USA skiing culture fucking sucks. Taos got that storm what 7-8 days ago? That rich piece of shit only opened it to the public today think he spun it for his friends only all weekend.
Click to expand...

Yea Taos is the worst, please never come here again
 
Skied Canadian coast to coast ski resorts and the Patrol Culture (PC) is so different. Out east, they are cops first, responders second. They first responders skills are good but skiing ability is terrible. Sometimes I find one that is cool.

Out west is another game. These guys can ski! Damn! Their safety game is A1. Whitewaters patrol act like they are mountain ambulances but in reality, they are so much more.
 
14590354:IsaacNW82 said:
Yea Taos is the worst, please never come here again
Click to expand...

I mean enjoy Ikon crowds from Denver every time it snows and simping for your owner and his friends to ski terrain for days before the public can?
 
14590358:eheath said:
Move then.
Click to expand...

Why would I move when I can just take trips there years its good? I don't live in a ski town and my entire identity isn't based around residing in an expensive mountain town.
 
14590524:PeppermillReno said:
I mean enjoy Ikon crowds from Denver every time it snows and simping for your owner and his friends to ski terrain for days before the public can?
Click to expand...

YOU are literally the Ikon crowds lmao
 
14590529:PeppermillReno said:
Why would I move when I can just take trips there years its good? I don't live in a ski town and my entire identity isn't based around residing in an expensive mountain town.
Click to expand...

We know you're a gaper dude, you don't have to keep telling us.
 
14590535:IsaacNW82 said:
YOU are literally the Ikon crowds lmao
Click to expand...

The place had 2x the skier visits in the 80s as they do these days. I have never had Ikon and didn't when I went last year. I almost got my pass clipped for pretending to be with the garbage FWT Qualifier event that shut it down for 3 days the snowboarding was shamefully bad. Great terrain bad patrol.
 
14590539:PeppermillReno said:
The place had 2x the skier visits in the 80s as they do these days. I have never had Ikon and didn't when I went last year. I almost got my pass clipped for pretending to be with the garbage FWT Qualifier event that shut it down for 3 days the snowboarding was shamefully bad. Great terrain bad patrol.
Click to expand...

Yeah dude the ski patrol has so much to do with running an event and closing the resort, they barely have time to do avalanche mitigation after the welcome breakfast.
 
14590541:IsaacNW82 said:
Spent all the money on yayo instead...?
Click to expand...

No I am perma broke from my seasonal slopeside ski condo I rent for 6 months in Killington. Just renewed for next year so ultra broke. I hate Ikon.

I mean you do you Bacon skiing Kachina with his friends 2 days after a storm and then opening to the public 5 days after a storm is probably something you support I guess.
 
14590538:eheath said:
We know you're a gaper dude, you don't have to keep telling us.
Click to expand...

14590540:eheath said:
Yeah dude the ski patrol has so much to do with running an event and closing the resort, they barely have time to do avalanche mitigation after the welcome breakfast.
Click to expand...

Tell us you don't ski anywhere good without telling us. If you had taken this website seriously when you were top moderator and it had 100x the traffic it does not and didn't drive it into the toilet you could probably afford a second ski home too.

**This post was edited on Feb 15th 2024 at 9:06:49pm
 
14590921:PeppermillReno said:
No I am perma broke from my seasonal slopeside ski condo I rent for 6 months in Killington. Just renewed for next year so ultra broke. I hate Ikon.

I mean you do you Bacon skiing Kachina with his friends 2 days after a storm and then opening to the public 5 days after a storm is probably something you support I guess.
Click to expand...

Didn't you make a thread recently trying to find discounts to buy an ikon pass, or am i remembering that wrong? tbh i dont really care either way. But nah, bacon is wack, my problem is with trashing taos patrol, theyre an awesome group of guys and gals and they really should've pulled your pass for poaching comp venues anyway
 
14590974:IsaacNW82 said:
Didn't you make a thread recently trying to find discounts to buy an ikon pass, or am i remembering that wrong? tbh i dont really care either way. But nah, bacon is wack, my problem is with trashing taos patrol, theyre an awesome group of guys and gals and they really should've pulled your pass for poaching comp venues anyway
Click to expand...

Yeah I was gonna buy a ikon bc my pass was suspended for skiing bottomless pow that had a rope in New England no avalanche shit. Killington got a surpise storm in November got buried and the patrol renta cops decided to pull passes instead of drop ropes.

Don't always ride the corporate media line just look at what is happening in Palestine with all those people being slaughtered for no good reason with US tax payer money and everyone told to accept it.

Taos is ridiculous with their avy control doesn't make it not the best lift served skiing in the US. And we aren't talking a few extra hours crazy were talking days. Its small and they can set all those bombs in one morning if they wanted to.
 
14590981:PeppermillReno said:
Taos is ridiculous with their avy control doesn't make it not the best lift served skiing in the US. And we aren't talking a few extra hours crazy were talking days. Its small and they can set all those bombs in one morning if they wanted to.
Click to expand...

You're just 100% wrong about this lol, there are 300+ named and mapped slide paths in Taos that need controlled, you're delusional if you think that just happens in one morning after a big storm
 
14590981:PeppermillReno said:
Taos is ridiculous with their avy control doesn't make it not the best lift served skiing in the US. And we aren't talking a few extra hours crazy were talking days. Its small and they can set all those bombs in one morning if they wanted to.
Click to expand...

smh dude
 
14590981:PeppermillReno said:
Yeah I was gonna buy a ikon bc my pass was suspended for skiing bottomless pow that had a rope in New England no avalanche shit. Killington got a surpise storm in November got buried and the patrol renta cops decided to pull passes instead of drop ropes.

Don't always ride the corporate media line just look at what is happening in Palestine with all those people being slaughtered for no good reason with US tax payer money and everyone told to accept it.

Taos is ridiculous with their avy control doesn't make it not the best lift served skiing in the US. And we aren't talking a few extra hours crazy were talking days. Its small and they can set all those bombs in one morning if they wanted to.
Click to expand...

Meds wore off New schizo NS member just dropped
 
14590466:freestyler540 said:
Skied Canadian coast to coast ski resorts and the Patrol Culture (PC) is so different. Out east, they are cops first, responders second. They first responders skills are good but skiing ability is terrible. Sometimes I find one that is cool.

Out west is another game. These guys can ski! Damn! Their safety game is A1. Whitewaters patrol act like they are mountain ambulances but in reality, they are so much more.
Click to expand...

This so on point for Canada. The culture and skill differences from coast to coast are real.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top