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What do ski patrol do?

Author

Sarah Smith

Published Jan 19, 2026

Ski patrollers are responsible for maintaining and promoting skier safety, providing first-aid assistance to accident victims on the hill, and transporting injured skiers. They play a huge part in what makes any ski area run.

What is needed for ski patrol?

Members must be at least 15 years of age and be registered in an Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) class, or hold current credentials in OEC, and CPR for the Professional Rescuer from an NSP-approved agency. Patrollers must be affiliated with a local unit and satisfy local area requirements.

What do ski patrollers wear?

Patrollers and candidates must be neat and clean. All area patrollers are to wear either the long red Patrol Jacket or Rescue Vest from either Mountain Uniforms or Patagonia. If a vest is worn, the garment underneath must be either black or a red complimenting in color to the approved Patrol Vest. Pants must be black.

What is it like being ski patrol?

The Ski Patrol is about having fun and being outdoors on a ski hill. It's also about being a ski bum, first responder and mountain rescue specialist (as well as helping others and making a difference). Start a conversation with a Ski Patroller the next time you are at your favorite resort.

Can snowboarders be ski patrol?

Ski patrollers can be snowboarders in addition to alpine, telemark, or Nordic skiers. Many patrols also have non-skiing positions whereby patrollers provide assistance in first aid rooms. So you can become a ski patroller in many parts of the world and you don't have to be a skier or boarder.

18 related questions found

Is Ski Patrol hard?

Working as a ski patroller can be physically demanding, but it also might be the most rewarding job you've ever had. Skiing and snowboarding have inherent risk. Because of this, a huge part of any ski patroller's day is serving as a first responder to any medical emergencies on the mountain.

Is it harder to snowboard or ski?

Skiing Or Snowboarding For Beginners? Skiing is generally easy to learn initially but is harder to master. Snowboarding is harder to learn but reaching an advanced level is easier. Although there are exceptions to this rule, it generally holds true and you can use it to inform your snow sports choice.

Can you make a living as a ski patrol?

Most ski patrollers in the USA make about $10 per hour their first year and hopefully make about $20 per hour once they've been around a long time. They generally receive no benefits, no holiday pay, and have to work over 48 hours per week to acquire overtime pay.

How good of a skier do you need to be for ski patrol?

Patrollers must be capable of lifting 100 pounds or more as well as possess strong (expert level) skiing or riding skills- capable of safely skiing/riding all terrain in all conditions including wooded and gladed areas.

How good is ski patrol?

Professional patrollers must have strong alpine, telemark or snowboarding skills and the stamina to ski every day, all winter long—whether there's a blizzard or subzero temperatures. When called upon, patrollers must successfully negotiate any terrain or snow conditions.

What type of radios do ski patrol use?

Motorola XPR 6350 Radio

Communication is key for patrollers as they report and respond to injuries, relay condition reports, and ensure everyone is safe while tossing charges for avalanche control.

Can you wear red skiing?

Red is fine, multi colour ski suits now that is not cool. Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. Any color that contrast well with snow and rock, and has a recco reflector just in case.

What walkie talkies do ski patrol use?

What Radios Do Ski Patrol Use? Most ski patrols use walkie-talkies that are resistant to water hazards and can withstand drops. One of the most popular is the Motorola XPR 6350 Radio, which is known for its great range and responsive system.

How much do ski patrol make Canada?

Average Salary for Ski Patrol in Canada

The average salary of Ski Patrol in Canada is $31,200.

How do I become a ski patrol in California?

Register as a National Ski Patrol candidate and pay the membership fee. Successfully complete an OEC course before your candidate season. OEC is an EMT-level class, requiring approximately 90 hours of class time. The course is offered in the Bay Area, Sacramento, and/or the Tahoe area, and costs approximately $200.00.

Is National Ski Patrol a first responder?

Learn To Be An Outdoor First Responder

National Ski Patrol offers training programs for ski and bike patrollers and mountain hosts that are recognized by resorts and recreational facilities in all 50 states as the standard of training for emergency care in an outdoor environment.

How much does Ski Patrol make at Vail?

Average Vail Resorts Ski Patrol yearly pay in Colorado is approximately $42,116, which is 8% above the national average.

Does ski patrol work year round?

December through to April is prime time in the patrol. Every patroller lives for their time on the snow so winter can't come soon enough. Skiing or boarding is the #1 reason to join the ski patrol.

Why do skiers not like snowboarders?

It's likely that most people who perceive snowboarders as obnoxious are skiers, because historically there has been some friction between skiers and snowboarders. This friction derives from a lack of understanding about each other's sports and a frustration with the impact it has on other slope users.

Can I learn to snowboard in a day?

Is it possible to learn to snowboard in a day? It is absolutely possible to learn to snowboard in a day. We do this each and every day with beginners who want to try something new, or people who have been off the board for way too long and need to start from scratch.

Should I start my child on skis or snowboard?

Regardless of age, the general rule surrounding skiing and snowboarding is this; Skiing is easier to learn but harder to master, whereas snowboarding is harder to learn but easier to master. On a snowboard, you are learning a few wholly new techniques at once.

How much do ski patrollers make in Colorado?

The average salary for a ski patrol is $16.77 per hour in Colorado. 36 salaries reported, updated at April 23, 2022.