twin89

i was just wondering if anyone here is or was a ski/snowboard patrol and if you could share your experience cause i'm taking an EMT course right now and would love to be snowboard patrol in a few seasons. I would do this for a season after i graduate before going into grad school.

Things i want to know...

how is the work?
how good of a rider do u need to be?
hiring process?
any age requirements?
does having a BS degree help in getting hired?
is it fun or no? (why)

Thanks in advance

any one that has info on the topic please help me out =)

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Too Fast!

mallrat

It's a pretty serious job, but it can be a blast (literallyy, avalanche blasting)

Most resorts won't let snowboarders be on patrol because you can't carry a sled or traverse while strapped in. They don't mind if you snowboard in your off time, but when on patrol you'll be on ski's.

As for skill level, from my experience, very high. You have to be able to get in and out of some VERY sketchy situations and do it towing the sled with someone in it while not injuring them further.

College degree won't matter, EMT will be very helpful.

legallyillegal

paid patroller? get some skis. learn to ski. learn to ski better. learn to ski bumps on a 45 degree pitch.

volunteer patroller? you can snowboard.

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twin89

i have in mind my more local resorts, and i ride there all the time, there are a lot of paid snowboard patrollers. This is Snow Summit, Bear Mtn, Mt. High type resorts so i really don't think they do any avalanche blasting haha (i wish though hehe)

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Too Fast!

BurtonAvenger

You need your level 1 EMT Certificate, Outdoor 1st responder, CPR/First Aid, to be able to ski and snowboard, and a few other things. The pay is shit unless you make it to the upper echelon and even then it isn't shit.

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Angry Snowboarder Because someone has to call it how they see it!

tooscoops

volunteer... free lifts (for friends as well) so it works out well... only out one or two days a week. given , this is ontario, so we don't get much serious crap here... the occasional big deal, but not much else...

riding, expected to be able to ride anything, but no particulars (as in, no switch, no park stuff, whatever) have to take a couple courses they offer and charge you for (whether you have the qualifications or not)...

its fun though...

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sarcasm... yeah... like THAT will ever catch on...

alasdairm

i think if you want to pursue this position, you should learn what it's called. you won't be "a ski patrol" you'll be "a member of ski patrol" or "a ski patroller".

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obviously ymmv but i work at a major tahoe resort and there is no requirement for patrollers to be able to do both.

alasdair

BurtonAvenger

CO makes you learn it on skis first then you have to cert as a boarder or at least Fail resorts does.

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Angry Snowboarder Because someone has to call it how they see it!

twin89

hmmmm, interesting....

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Too Fast!

wrathfuldeity

Talked to a board patroller earlier in the season at Baker, he said setting ropes in poo sucked on a board...but you get good at 1 footy, but patrolling the hill in poo was better on a board than on skis and there was something about tobaggan that was easier on a board than skis...think it was about not having to coordinate/syncronize turns with a sled as you do with skis.

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