Join the Patrol
How it Works
(All potential ski patrol candidates must be 15 years of age by December 31 of the joining ski season)
1. Complete online interest/contact form – Our Ski Patrol Director, Marshall Fletcher, will be in contact within 2 to 5 business days.
2. Attend a Recruitment Day – We generally schedule two recruitment days during the ski season. Usually there will be one in January and another in February. For the 25-26 season, the Dates are January 25 & February 22. Click either date for more information and please contact the main office (828) 295-7828 for registration.
3. During this day you will receive an introduction to some of our training staff and get the opportunity to ski/ride on the mountain with the training staff as a demonstration of your skiing/riding ability. Generally, we recommend those interested be at the advanced intermediate level or above to become ski patrollers.
Training – Training will consist of multiple components:
Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) course offered in the late Summer / Fall. This course typically requires 80 to 120 hours of instruction. OEC is the National Ski Patrol’s medical training program.
Transportation training will consist of improvement of your skiing/riding skills in preparation for training to maneuver a loaded rescue sled in all snow conditions and environments.
CPR courses and skills refreshers will be offered annually at the Professional Rescuer level.
Mountain Operations training will take place on-the-snow and throughout the ski area and will incorporate training in many aspects of our local operations, including opening/closing procedures, slope maintenance, lift evacuation, lift operation, and resort operations.
4. Training Costs – Approximately $390 to cover course registration, texts, medical equipment, NSP and local dues. Uniform and equipment costs as a patroller are additional. All stated costs are subject to revision.
5. Ongoing Training – Each patroller is required to attend an annual OEC Refresher. This usually takes place in a single day in the Fall. CPR courses and skills refreshers are offered in conjunction with the Annual Refresher each year. Additionally, lift evacuation training will take place at the annual refresher each year.
6. Scheduling Requirements – Each active member of ASP is required to volunteer 12 sessions per season. These 12 sessions include 10 sessions scheduled in any available volunteer shift on weekends and/or holidays, as well as 2 available Saturday night volunteer shifts per season. There are two sessions during any given day including 7:30a – 4:30p and 4:30p – 10p/12a.