It can be difficult to find enough volunteers to cover all open ski patrol shifts, even for a small ski area that only requires a few patrollers at a time. When a couple of alumni patrollers approached me last winter to find out whether they could get involved at Otis Ridge Ski Patrol, WMA Region, I explored the possibility with area management and then invited the alumni patrollers to join us.
They quickly became part of the team, jumping in with enthusiasm, and often choose to ski at times when large midweek lesson programs are scheduled, so they’re available to lend a hand.
Our alumni promote safety by riding the lift with children who are in group lessons. They’ve become strong ambassadors for our patrol by getting to know some of the pass holders and have started bringing up the idea of ski patrolling with some of them.
The first time an alumni patroller assisted with an injury on the hill, I saw the value in having someone there with their level of experience. We arrived at the scene at the same time and when I turned to ask if they could secure the scene, they were already positioned to direct skiers around the area.
When the toboggan arrived, they were able to retrieve the needed equipment as well as prepare the toboggan for transport, which helped us transport the patient more quickly than two patrollers on the scene would have been able to.
Our alumni have been finding ways to help out such as encouraging our newer patrollers and practicing OEC skills with them. It’s a pleasure having the enthusiasm and experience of alumni patrollers on our team. I’m thrilled that we’ve started partnering with them, and that they are able to continue to be involved.
These patrollers are truly an asset to the Otis Ridge Ski Patrol, and I look forward to continuing to work with them and see how else their skills and experience can be utilized.
