Winter should be upon us by now, but you couldn’t prove it by what’s falling from the sky today in North Creek. I’m not a fan of “liquid snow” – at least not when we’re trying to open more terrain. Keep the faith; colder weather is coming soon! This has been a very busy fall season for many of us. OEC courses and refreshers, MTR courses, “Snowbound” (aka the Boston Ski Show), appearances at Warren Miller screenings, and, most recently, the Division OET Conference at Killington December 6-8. Many thanks to every member and their friends and family who helped staff these events; your dedication and exceptional efforts made them possible!
NSP National Board elections closed in December. Eastern Division leadership recommended four candidates and all four won seats on the National Board. A proposal to allow Mountain Hosts to vote in future elections was also passed. I’m waiting for National to provide voter turnout statistics, but I expect the numbers will again be lower than desired. If you didn’t vote, please try harder next year since every vote matters.
Are you ready to patrol? There’s no time like now to get ready. Last time I said a few words about physical conditioning. This time let’s think about our equipment: Are your skis tuned? Your safety and your patients’ will depend on your sharp edges – and in the East, that means frequent tuning. Have your bindings been tested? Many ski areas require annual binding tests as a condition of employment. If yours doesn’t, just remember whose body is being protected by those bindings. Binding tests sometimes lead to needing new boots, or at least new sole inserts, since we put a lot of wear and tear on our boot soles.
How about the first aid supplies in your pack, belt, or vest? How old are those nitrile gloves? Are all your clothing layers ready to protect you from the cold? Does your uniform look professional? There is probably an “ideal” amount of duct tape – and striking a balance between a seasoned, professional appearance and starting to look worn out can be a challenge! Is your helmet in good condition (ask a shop professional)?
The list goes on and on, but the time to act is short. Mountain management, our patrol teammates, and the skiing and riding public are all counting on us, so let’s be ready. And did I forget to say that our sport is almost always more fun when we are well-prepared? Let’s have fun!
Introducing Miss Kitty. She could be the prototype patroller of the future. She has:
• Perfect balance,
• Outstanding night vision,
• Black pants that fit well, with no holes or duct tape,
• Retractable microspikes for good traction on snow and ice, and
• (Very important) Ability to go from nap mode to full throttle very quickly!
Have a happy, joyous, and safe holiday season! Hope to see you on the snow soon!
Grant (and Miss Kitty)
