How To Become A Ski Patrol

Learn the skills and requirements it takes to become a Snowbird Ski Patroller and the common misconceptions about the task.

Here is How: It Starts Now.

The five o'clock alert rings into the cold air. Catch a potent cup of coffee, considering information technology'due south time to hit the trails, mitigate avalanches, and save some lives – all in a twenty-four hours'southward piece of work equally a Snowbird ski patroller.

As kids, some dream of becoming firefighters, princesses or police officers, just those lucky plenty to live almost snow-covered hills were often wont to imagine their hereafter selves equally ski patrollers. After all, don't you deserve to accept an office at 11,000 feet, which overlooks the most fantastic skiable terrain in the West?

Land your wintertime dream job and brand that childhood dream a reality with this handy how-to with aid from Snowbird'southward Ski Patrol Director Brian Buse.

1. It STARTS THE SEASON Before YOU WANT THE JOB

"Nosotros inquire people to come in the flavour before they apply to shadow the ski patrol crew for at least a few days," Buse says. Information technology's a fourth dimension for applicants, and Buse and other patrollers to see if it would be a good fit for the team. "That is a big step forward," Buse adds, "Getting this job requires some persistence because a lot of really adept people apply." To shadow ski patrol during the season, contact Snowbird Human Resources.

2. DON'T BE A SNOWBOARDER

No offense – many a patroller once held an affinity for riding. To behave a toboggan over the flats or romp uphill on an avalanche route, skis are simply more than functional. By extension, they're mandatory for Snowbird patrollers.

3. PROFICIENCY AT SKIING IS ENOUGH (More OR LESS)

While newbies need not apply, Buse says that applicants don't have to exist X-Games gilded-medal winners either. It doesn't take to be pretty, only being able to ski a solid line throughout the Snowbird terrain (which, absolutely, can be avant-garde), is enough. What's more, patrollers are expected to ski with heavy loads on their shoulders, with no poles.

4. MUST Work LIKE A WILDEBEEST

A stiff work ethic is one of the most of import qualities a candidate (there are ofttimes dozens per year during a very short application catamenia) must have, Buse says. Early mornings, traversing the mountain in sometimes extreme conditions, responding to emergency situations swiftly, and all with a positive mental attitude – needless to say, information technology's a enervating job.

5. SHY GUYS AND GALS NEEDN'T APPLY

"Ski patrol is dominated by Type A personalities," Buse says, "and these type of people are the strong opinionated people you actually want on your side during a rescue situation." Snowbird ski patrollers are capable of being leaders on their ain but are also great at working in a group environment. Applicants must mesh well with the Snowbird ski patrol culture, so it can run like a well-oiled machine.

6. You lot Go A SKI PATROLLER YOUR Get-go DAY

If you get the job, y'all'll get your ruby cross on the commencement day, but you won't be going anywhere on your own to start. There are hundreds of location names and avalanche route numbers to memorize, and there is the need to shadow more experienced first responders during emergency situations. Think of it like Luke Skywalker training with Yoda. Afterwards your supervisor checks off all the boxes on your checklist, yous join the ranks of Snowbird's l total-fourth dimension patrollers. "Information technology'south a peachy place to be," Buse says. "I kind of look at it equally a family unit.

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS

1. Y'all Need LOADS OF AVALANCHE Training TO Utilize

In fact, almost of the Snowbird ski patroller's avalanche grooming happens on the job. Quite the reverse of taking an avalanche safety form, where a snow recreationist learns how to avoid avalanche terrain up-and-coming patrollers at Snowbird learn how to make avalanches to clear terrain. While on the job, members of the trail coiffure will undergo transceiver drills and rescue scenarios before they are immune to become a patroller.

2. THIS Task WILL MAKE YOU RICH

It's for the dearest of the snow, maaaan.

3. You SKI A LOT

OK, that'south really true, and information technology'southward the best part of the job. But there's a caveat, as Buse describes. "It may seem like fun – and information technology really can be – but you need to ski with your head on a swivel. Y'all are always looking for hazards, guests who need help or who are injured, downed rope lines and more.

*This commodity was originally written by Austen Diamond for the 2017-18 Event of The Bird Magazine, updated with 20-21 information.

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Source: https://www.snowbird.com/blog/how-to-become-a-snowbird-ski-patroller/

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