It can be challenging to save a life up on a mountain slope in the biting cold, yet it is deeply heartwarming. That may be why Ski Patrollers work hard to protect skiers and snowboarders at mountain resorts. In addition to their skiing or snowboarding expertise and certified abilities to deliver first ai... Continue Reading
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Explore Career It can be challenging to save a life up on a mountain slope in the biting cold, yet it is deeply heartwarming. That may be why Ski Patrollers work hard to protect skiers and snowboarders at mountain resorts. In addition to their skiing or snowboarding expertise and certified abilities to deliver first aid and emergency medical care, they are trained in avalanche control and diverse other mountain safety tasks.
What are the typical responsibilities of a Ski Patroller?
A Ski Patroller would typically need to:
Ski Patrollers spend much of their time outdoors in the ski and snowboarding areas of ski resorts. High-altitude locations in the mountains can be extremely cold, windy, damp, foggy, and snowy.
The terrain can be hazardous to navigate, especially in remote mountain areas or during bad weather. The work is physically and mentally demanding, especially when responding to accidents and emergencies and while conducting avalanche prevention or mitigation or search and rescue operations.
You must typically put in some amount of office-based administrative work, particularly in terms of documenting incidents.
Resorts typically provide Ski Patrollers with the facilities and resources they need for their work, including on-site first aid stations, transport, such as snowmobiles and rescue sledges, and specialised equipment, such as avalanche beacons. You may also be allowed to avail of staff facilities for housing, dining, and recreation.
Ski Patrollers usually work as members of teams and interact with colleagues, resort guests, ambulance crews, and law enforcement personnel.
Work is often seasonal unless a ski resort has snow-covered areas throughout the year, enabling it to remain open during summer.
Some resorts may not offer skiing or snowboarding activities in summer but may still require staff for their mountain bike patrol teams. These professionals help prepare the resort facilities to open safely in winter and also safeguard summer visitors who come to hike, mountain bike, ride the gondolas, or just spend time in the mountains.
However, if the resort you work at closes for part of the year, you may need to supplement your income with an additional job during that period.
Daily schedules are usually based on the shift system, with each shift going up to eight hours. Typically, meetings are held early in the morning to assess weather and snow conditions and other safety issues before opening the ski and snowboarding area to visitors. Based on your shift timings for a particular period, you may also work late evenings, checking the facilities and taking care of administrative work after the facilities close for visitors.
Depending on the roster, you may need to work early mornings or late evenings and on weekends and holidays. However, specific hours depend on your duties and whether it is peak holiday time or off-season. Work hours can be longer when competitions are held. You may also need to stay on call or attend to emergencies and natural disasters at short notice.
Finding a new job may be challenging. Ski Patrollers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting ski and snowboarding resorts directly, using job search platforms, attending job fairs, leveraging social media and inquiring at staffing agencies.
Try to contact resorts in the summer before you wish to begin working since many typically hire new staff during the off-season to prepare their facilities for winter tourists. You may also reach out to prospective employers a winter in advance to participate in a “ski-around” for a mutual assessment of suitability. While ski patrolling jobs are geographically oriented to some extent, candidates may apply from anywhere in the country provided they fulfil the requirements.
Ski Patrollers may work in full- or part-time jobs, although full-time employment may be more common during ski season.
Ski Patrollers are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organisations, such as the Fédération Internationale des Patrouilles de Ski (FIPS), are crucial for a Ski Patroller interested in pursuing lifelong professional development and connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.
Professional associations provide members with continuing education, networking opportunities, and mentorship services. You have access to short courses, conferences, and industry publications, which help with CPD. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.
Pre-entry work experience shows potential employers that Ski Patrollers have some of the required skills and a strong interest in the field. Try to engage in experiences that teach you how to interact and communicate with people of different ages and with varying interests or needs.
Even while in high school, you can check with a teacher or counsellor about relevant work-based learning opportunities, particularly those related to outdoor activities, safety, or first aid. Join some groups, such as debate clubs, and try a variety of sports to learn teamwork, leadership, effective communication, and other skills.
You may also enrol in teen or youth programs organised by your school or within your community to foster navigation, safety, and leadership skills in outdoor environments. Start acquiring relevant certifications, such as in delivering first aid and CPR. You may also learn about mountain safety, avalanche awareness, and backcountry travel through appropriate programs.
Some ski resorts hire high school students for part-time work, such as operating lifts, selling tickets, serving in restaurants and cafes, or assisting in equipment rental facilities. Such experience helps you build familiarity with mountain environments and customer interaction skills, both valued by prospective employers.
Research and identify reputable ski patrol training programs with certifications and a good track record. The exploration will help you decide your education and training options after high school. Read about the profession and interview/shadow expert Ski Patrollers to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.
It is helpful if your training program entails mandatory or elective internships so you can learn about the industry and connect with experienced professionals. Internships offer a taste of the career, give valuable insight into how skiing resorts operate, help build valuable contacts, and improve your prospects of getting a permanent job.
Participate in skiing or snowboarding contests or other winter sports to learn about safety etiquette while showcasing your proficiency on the slopes and commitment to snow sports. It also helps to build your physical fitness, which includes endurance, strength, and flexibility.
Working as a ski instructor or coach helps you gain experience in skiing and snowboarding, snow safety protocols, and client interaction. You may practise techniques, such as CPR and extrications, working as volunteer Ski Patrollers at certain resorts. You may also volunteer with local search and rescue or emergency response groups to gain hands-on experience treating injuries.
Other mountain experiences include hiking, ascending notable peaks, ski touring (without uplift), snowshoeing, or mountaineering independently.
Employers may prefer candidates who can demonstrate experience in jobs that require decision-making, communication, leadership, teamwork, and budget management.
While a high school diploma or equivalent may be preferable, aspiring Ski Patrollers must, first and foremost, be expert skiers or snowboarders and fulfil the mandatory age, training, certification, and physical fitness requirements in their location.
You may contact a nearby ski resort or one you wish to work at to find out more about the qualifications required, which may vary according to specific ski areas, resorts, and mountains. Nationwide non-profit ski patrol associations in your country may also provide you with relevant and updated information as well as training.
It is also useful to check the academic eligibility requirements for any certifications you need to apply for a job as a Ski Patroller.
Ski patrol training programs, whether on the job or through independent organisations, equip you to tackle diverse and challenging situations calmly, promptly, and efficiently, on or off the hills at ski and snowboarding resorts. The programs usually combine hands-on learning with classroom instruction in first aid and emergency care, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). You are also trained in various aspects of mountain and snow sports safety, such as accident management, search and rescue, relief operations, avalanche control, chairlift evacuation, mountaineering, toboggan handling, communication services, and coordinating helicopter operations.
Recommended high school courses include biology, physical education, and environmental science. English and speech classes will help you develop your communication skills. Consider learning one or more foreign languages to help you interact with international guests at resorts.
Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. However, your professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.
Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field.
Certification demonstrates a Ski Patroller’s competency in a skill set, typically through work experience, training and passing an examination. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics. Relevant certification from an objective and reputed organisation can also help you stand out in a competitive job market and carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent.
Since skiing and snowboarding are inherently risky sports that may lead to life-threatening situations, certain certifications may be mandatory for aspiring Ski Patrollers to qualify as first responders during emergencies and accidents on mountain slopes. Specific requirements depend on the region and ski resort policies. Confirm with prospective employers which certifications you need before being hired and which ones you can acquire once on the job.
You must typically certify in outdoor emergency care, which includes delivering first aid, providing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), and using automated external defibrillators (AEDs). You may also certify in using epinephrine auto-injectors for clients as needed.
Other useful areas of certification include conducting outdoor risk management, toboggan handling, avalanche safety, search and rescue techniques, lift evacuation procedures, and ski or snowboard instruction.
You must periodically revalidate your certifications to stay current with the latest tools and techniques to manage snow sports safety.
Depending on your location, you may need to certify as an emergency medical technician and acquire the license relevant to your jurisdiction. Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. It typically requires passing an examination after meeting eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience or training, or completing an internship, residency or apprenticeship.
Ski Patrollers may also need to undergo an employment background check, including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media and drug screening.
Ski Patrollers typically train and work at different levels and progress in their career based on performance, experience, the acquisition of relevant certifications, and the addition or updating of mountain safety skills. The ski resort you work at and the number of guests it receives may also determine your career growth.
You may start your career as a Ski Patroller in entry-level roles, checking chairlift or gondola tickets, operating the lifts, and helping new skiers and snowboarders learn on a bunny hill (a gentle slope typically for beginners). Training on the job can typically take you to the role of Resort Patroller, safeguarding clients at a particular ski and snowboarding resort. You will likely carry out routine tasks as a rescue team member under senior Patrollers and respond to patients who fall sick or suffer minor injuries.
With experience and added qualifications, you may become a National Patroller, qualified to work at any resort and lead a team to assist more severe cases of injury or illness among skiers and snowboarders. Although you work for a specific resort, your skills can be of use in the wider community during natural disasters or other major incidents.
While there may be limited advancement with ski patrol teams at some resorts, you may take on supervisory or management positions, such as Ski Patrol Supervisor, Risk Manager, Manager of Avalanche Control, and eventually Ski Resort Manager. As Ranger Supervisors, you are experts in responding to emergencies and handling crowd control.
As a Mountain Operations Manager, you develop and implement strategies to fulfil a resort’s objectives while safeguarding clients and keeping the resort and slopes accessible all through the skiing season. You must also be thorough in resort policies and procedures.
You may certify as an Emergency Medical Technician who can provide swift first response in medical emergencies on the slopes. Some Ski Patrollers may be inspired to join medical school and become healthcare professionals and may return to ski patrolling as volunteers, as and when possible.
The role of Mountain Rescue Service Provider is broad in scope. You must be experienced in testing snow conditions, conducting risk analysis, using protection gear and methods, advising clients how to use them, and maintaining ski lifts and equipment. Mountain rescue service conducts search, rescue, and relief operations in mountain ranges and even the wilderness. Some areas may have limited resources and can be challenging.
Given the seasonal operations of some resorts, you may find an off-season job based on your transferable skills. For instance, with further training as required, you may work in the medical or emergency services of healthcare facilities or as a Lifeguard, Paramedic, or Firefighter.
Alternatively, you may diversify into related roles, such as Avalanche Forecaster, Explosives Coordinator, or Avalanche Dog Handler, after acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge.
You may also become a certified Ski or Snowboard Instructor teaching children and adults at resorts or other schools. As a Ski Patrol Instructor, you train newly hired Ski Patrollers, using diverse strategies to teach them about health, trauma, and behavioural issues since they must ensure the physical and mental health of the resort’s clients.
Other related outdoor activities related to ski guidance that you may diversify into include avalanche safety, tourism, security management, and summer guidance.
The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.
Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and exciting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable and transferable skills along the way.
Skiing or snowboarding expertise, certification in delivering first aid, CPR and outdoor emergency care, and skills and credentials in diverse mountain safety aspects help improve job prospects for Ski Patrollers.
Ski resorts may hire candidates with first aid and skiing or snowboarding skills, recognising that they need in-house training before they can be placed on ski patrol. Training on the job ensures that you meet the ski resort’s standards and understand legislative requirements. The duration and intensity of training usually depend on the size of the resort and the complexity of its terrain.
Some areas of in-house training include snow science, avalanche management, lift safety and evacuation, and resort policies and procedures. Other ski patrol aspects that you learn about are map reading, GPS usage, backcountry safety, toboggan handling, advanced mountain first aid, and sled-handling manoeuvres.
Continuing professional development (CPD) helps an active Ski Patroller build or strengthen personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education or self-directed learning. Ski Patrollers must constantly refresh their skills to prepare for unexpected situations and deliver optimal service and security to resort clients. They may undertake new or refresher training during off-season periods in areas such as handling explosives, ropes, weather forecasting, avalanche beacon use, accident investigation, wilderness medicine, and wilderness patient transport.
There are different levels and areas of training and certification that can help you progress to senior roles with greater responsibilities in the ski patrol team or diversify into related areas. For instance, you may aim for the highest certifications in alpine or Nordic skiing or in search and rescue or wilderness medicine. Periodic recertification is typically mandatory to ensure you remain current with the latest ski patrol techniques, tools, and technologies.
Networking plays a critical role in advancing a career in ski patrolling. Building trust and relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and industry leaders can open up doors for jobs and promotions that might not have otherwise been available.
It is helpful to build your network in the skiing and snowboarding community by attending industry events, conferences, and seminars. You may also join online groups and forums for snow safety professionals. Volunteering in local search and rescue missions keeps you in touch with your community and gives you opportunities to practise your skills.
Since teamwork is critical to effective ski patrol, you may take online or in-person courses in leadership development and communication skills. Mentoring newly hired staff or volunteering to lead certain tasks or small projects can help you demonstrate your leadership abilities to your employer.
You may pursue an MBA (Master of Business Administration) program, provided you fulfil the entry criteria of education and experience, to help you progress to senior managerial roles.
In addition to skills and qualifications, physical fitness is crucial for Ski Patrollers. Make sure to develop and maintain your overall stamina, strength and endurance to transport injured guests and ski or snowboard throughout your shift in harsh weather and challenging terrain.
Pro vs Volunteer Patrolling
Professional or Pro Ski Patrollers typically work full-time at ski and snowboarding resorts during ski seasons and are paid for their work. They take on additional mountain safety duties, such as avalanche mitigation.
However, some resorts may use only the services of Volunteer Ski Patrollers or use them to supplement their full-time Ski Patrol team, provided they fulfil mandatory requirements, such as updated first aid and CPR certification. Volunteers usually work part-time and without pay. They may be expert skiers or snowboarders who have other jobs. Some may have worked earlier as Pro Ski Patrollers and now wish to use their skills and qualifications occasionally to respond to ski or snowboarding accidents.
Volunteering is also a way to gain experience and decide if you are suited to take up a full-time paid job as a Pro Ski Patroller. Some volunteers may work in base clinics or at first aid stations.
Some Essential Ski Patrol Equipment & Tools
While specific requirements may vary between regions and ski resorts, all Ski Patrollers must wear thermal layers under their clothes, water-resistant or waterproof clothing, a warm and waterproof jacket, woollen or synthetic socks, waterproof hiking or ski boots, insulated and waterproof gloves, a cap, ski mask, and googles.
In addition to appropriate ski gear, Ski Patrollers must also carry a map, compass or GPS, headlamp or flashlight, a backpack, first aid kit, communication equipment, such as two-way radios, trail marking materials, such as bamboo poles and flags, avalanche safety equipment, trekking poles, spare clothing, food, water, items to ignite fire, and emergency shelter. They must also have at hand snow safety and snowpack analysis tools, such as snow saws and snow density gauges.
Avalanche safety equipment typically includes transceivers (beacons), shovels, and probes to assist in rescue, avalanche airbags, avalanche rescue dog gear, and avalanche control equipment, including explosives, such as hand chargers and launchers to trigger controlled avalanches.
Ski Patrollers may also carry an epinephrine auto-injector for clients with severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and asthma attacks, if they are certified in using it. However, patients must be taken to emergency services at the earliest even after being administered epinephrine. A CPR pocket mask/pocket mask is useful while administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation in emergencies to supply oxygen and produce blood flow in a patient’s heart and lungs. The mask safeguards against infection and bodily fluids from passing between the resuscitator and the patient.
Ski Patrollers must also be certified in using an automated external defibrillator (AED) for patients experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. The device is usually available at the resort or at its clinic. It analyses the heart's rhythm and can be used to administer an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to assist the heart in regaining a healthy rhythm.
Ski resorts typically supply their Ski Patrollers with a patrol jacket, patrol pack, and essential first aid supplies, a snow shovel, probe, and avalanche beacon.
Evolving technology can change the tools and technologies that Ski Patrollers use and ski resorts and patrollers must stay up to date with the advancements in snow safety.
Altitude Sickness
Due to low oxygen levels, high altitudes can spark several types of physical discomfort. You may start to experience symptoms at 8,000 feet, which corresponds to the altitude of the base areas of many ski resorts.
For instance, ski and snowboarding resort visitors may feel dizzy and tired, or they may experience headaches, reduced appetite, and shortness of breath. More severe symptoms could be confusion, coughing, and loss of coordination.
Typically, mountain sickness may be placed at three levels in order of increasing severity, namely, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE). Of these, the latter two are life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
However, it helps to know that some amount of altitude sickness is generally expected but goes away on its own. Staying hydrated and avoiding alcohol in the first one or two days of arrival can help minimise it.
Some Commonly Used Terms
Alpine skiing refers to skiing down snow-covered slopes, wearing skis with fixed-heel bindings for recreation or competition.
Après ski refers to the entertainment and socialising that take place after a day of skiing and snowboarding.
An avalanche/avy/White Dragon is a massive amount of ice, snow, and rock that falls rapidly down a mountain and can be hazardous.
An avalanche transceiver/beacon helps trace avalanche victims who may be buried under the snow. It emits a pulsed radio signal that another transceiver can pick up.
Backcountry refers to areas that are not within the patrolled boundaries of a ski resort. As a result, such areas lack avalanche mitigation, their conditions are uncontrolled, the snow is ungroomed, and they likely have hidden obstacles. To optimise safety while navigating backcountry or “out of bounds” as it is also called, skiers must carry and know how to use certain critical tools, such as a shovel, probe, and beacon. Access to these areas is via “uphilling” by hiking or skiing uphill (“skinning”) with the help of specialised equipment. Certain backcountry terrains may be accessible through clearly designated gates in patrolled resorts.
Base refers to the bottom of the mountain, and it is where skiers and snowboarders find diverse facilities, such as restaurants, bars, lift ticket offices, rentals and even accommodation. Larger ski and snowboarding resorts typically have two to five base areas, connectivity between them usually being via free buses as the distances are not walkable.
Corduroy is the groomed slope with thin, uniform, and parallel lines or grooves in the snow left behind by snow groomers that comb the surface to make them safe for skiers and snowboarders every day during the ski season. The term comes from the fabric named corduroy, which has a ridged surface.
Grooming is the smoothing of pistes at the end of the day and through the night to restore and refresh the slopes after skiers and snowboarders have used them. Trucks or tractors, such as snowcats, carry specialised equipment to move, flatten, or compact the snow, remove accumulated snow piles, and redistribute them over icy or bare patches. Grooming helps maintain the depth of the snow on slopes, which can be affected by the high traffic. It also helps construct courses for competitions and create more complex terrains and trails.
Moguls are bumps found on groomed slopes in downhill ski areas. They may be created intentionally by ski resorts or may form on their own when skiers and snowboarders carve grooves in the snow as they make turns descending a slope. On each turn, skis and snowboards carve and push some snow aside. Repeated usage of the same line causes the snow to accumulate in mounds or bumps. Usually, since turns are linked in succession going downhill, one sees the formation of mogul fields on high-traffic slopes. The challenge is to use the proper techniques to maintain balance when navigating the uneven terrain caused by moguls.
Nordic skiing (named for its origin in the Nordic region of Norway, Sweden, and Finland) refers to any skiing technique in which the toe of the skier’s boot is attached to the ski but not the heel. For downhill or alpine skiing, the entire boot is attached to the ski. Variations of Nordic skiing include cross-country, telemark, and alpine touring.
A piste is a marked ski or snowboarding run, trail or track down a mountain slope. It is maintained by smoothing and flattening the snow. Pistes are colour-graded in terms of the level of challenge they present and the skill and experience needed to navigate them - blue or green for beginners, red for intermediate, and black for experts. Off-piste areas are not marked or graded, and the snow is fresh, untouched and more like powder rather than flattened by grooming.
Current Scenario
The employment outlook of a particular profession may be impacted by diverse factors, such as the time of year (for seasonal jobs), location, employment turnover (when people leave current jobs), occupational growth (when new roles are created), size of the occupation and industry-specific trends and events that affect overall employment.
The need for Ski Patrollers is expected to increase over the next few years. However, even though the adventurous nature of the job and life in the mountains may be attractive, resorts may also find it challenging to retain their employees. Ski Patrollers may transition in a few years to jobs in local hospitals and fire departments, that offer better pay and benefits and a more defined and longer-term use of their medical skills, experience and certifications. While larger resorts may be able to retain their ski patrol staff with better pay packages, it may be difficult for smaller resorts or those with fluctuating profits to do so.
In any case, many Ski Patrollers balance the seasonality of their work by taking up another job during the year. However, resorts that operate through the year now offer full-time positions to provide patrolling for summer activities, such as mountain biking, zip lining, and obstacle course runs.
The Role of Resumes in an Era of Accelerating Digital Recruitment
Social media has transformed how business is conducted worldwide; professional networking platforms are rapidly becoming valuable business tools that give recruiters ready access to the best talent.
However, resumes continue to dominate the recruitment field. Often used interchangeably with a CV (curriculum vitae), a good resume goes a long way in making a favourable first impression on a potential employer.
As a concise document that lists the most recent education, work experience, and abilities obtained that align with a potential job description, creating a resume is one of the most critical steps during a job search.
A clear and well-edited description of job responsibilities and quantisation of accomplishments with numbers and percentages makes a resume a first-class tool to market oneself, enabling a prospective employer to have a quick and comprehensive look at how an applicant can contribute to organisational success.
Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment
Freelancing Ski Patrollers have more flexible work schedules and locations. They fully own the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.
On the other hand, full-time Ski Patrollers have company-sponsored health benefits, insurance and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership and variety.
When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.
Ski Patrollers rarely have a predictable or dull day. You could be out on the slopes in the quietness of dawn, checking the safety of snow conditions, or patrolling busy slopes in the daytime. At all times, you carry not only your work gear but the vast responsibility of safeguarding adventurous skiers and snowboarders as they make the most of their time at a ski resort. The reward at the end of the day may often be a life saved.
Become an effective and supportive team member, as collaboration is critical to successful ski patrol. Each Ski Patroller plays a key role, such as that of a first responder, forecaster, avalanche safety expert, or dog handler, to ensure the safety of skiers, snowboarders, and the team.
Slalom, a popular Winter Olympics attraction, is the fastest of the five events in alpine or downhill skiing and also has the quickest turns. Skiers must navigate two courses, passing through “gates” or two plastic poles placed between 4 and 6 metres apart.
What do Ski Patrollers do?
A Ski Patroller would typically need to:
Accredited
$53,138
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