Working as a patroller

Hi there,

Just wondered if anyone could give me some advice on what it takes to become a patroller.

Are there certificates or qualifications you need to pass in order to qualify for working as a patroller?

Any info or advice or links would be great help. There is a course that I have found in NZ which does a ski patrol certificate but it's pretty expensive and I don't want to do it if it is a worthless qualification!

Thanks,

Chris.

PS Thanks for all the Tahoe stoke of late. Only 33 days left at work till I arrive in Tahoe City to enjoy 3 months of slacking in the snow!

NSP

take an OEC course, wilderness medicine or get an EMT cert. you have to know the mountain you are patrolling. usually they prefer 2 years experience on that mountain. take a knee test, ski test and a few others. they usually make you start out doing grunt work on a mountain crew hauling signs around. it's not too hard to get on if you are determined. they'll know if you are. this year you should do sweeps at the mountain you want to patrol for. if you keep after it without pestering them, they'll let you on. part of it is how well you work with those already there. keep that in mind.

edit: in alaska the requirements are different. you just have to be able to take pictures. i see that you are from england. a mastery of the english language is not needed.