by Matt Nebzydoski, OET Supervisor | Jan 21, 2026 | Division News, Program News
Here’s a great opportunity for some skill building before Senior tests kick off.
Eastern Division is offering two exciting Patroller School opportunities close to home—join us at Gore Mountain in the Adirondacks or Belleayre Mountain in the Catskills!
These events are a great opportunity to build and refine your skiing/riding and toboggan handling skills while learning alongside fellow patrollers.
What to Expect
Patroller School is a two-day OET event focused on skill development and progression:
- One full day with a Level III PSIA instructor focused on skiing or riding
- One full day with Division OET Staff focused on toboggan handling and applied skills
These events are engaging, supportive, and designed to promote meaningful growth—while having a lot of fun on snow.
📍 Gore Mountain
- Gore Women’s Toboggan Clinic – Friday, Feb 27
- Gore Patroller School – Saturday–Sunday, Feb 28–March 1
The Gore Women’s Clinic may be taken as a stand-alone, one-day event, or added to Patroller School for a three-day experience.
📍 Belleayre Mountain
- Belleayre Patroller School – Saturday–Sunday, Feb 28–March 1
👉 Register now: PatrollerSchool.org
We hope you’ll join us for an outstanding weekend of learning, skill-building, and connection.
Think snow,
by Matt Nebzydoski, OET Supervisor | Nov 19, 2025 | Division News, Program News
This February the OET, Certified, and Women’s Programs are teaming up for an awesome week of learning, testing, and training in Vermont.
The events kick off on Thursday, February 5 at Sugarbush with a “Steeps, Bumps and Trees‘’ clinic led by Eric Jordan, PSIA Examiner and Sugarbush local, along with Certified Patroller Matt Nebzydoski, Eastern Division OET Supervisor and Teigh Southworth from the OET Steering Committee Members.
Plan to work on improving your technical and tactical skills on some of the best ungroomed terrain in the East. All levels of patrollers are welcome; however, participants should be comfortable skiing on ungroomed black terrain. The clinic will be an ideal opportunity for those patrollers working to build their skills for upcoming Senior or Certified level assessments.
In addition, OET Instructors and TEs who attend will be provided coaching tips on assisting the patrollers they work with back home. **Due to a limited number of available tickets and instructors the focus will be Alpine skis this year. We hope to expand the program to include tele and snowboards in the future. Sign up early so you don’t miss out.
The fun moves to Killington on Friday with a Women’s Toboggan Clinic and Certified Pre-test. The women will spend the day running sleds with some of the best female instructors in the division, followed by an après ski gathering. Certified Candidates will pre-test to qualify for the exam at Sugarloaf in March.
This all leads to the famous Killington Patroller School for Saturday and Sunday. The patroller school includes two days of the best 
toboggan handling and skier, tele, or snowboard enhancement you can get. Newer NSP members may not realize the rich tradition of the Patroller Schools that were originally started to provide opportunities to train with the best. Sticking with tradition, Certified Patrollers and Division Staff will be leading the groups and sharing their knowledge and skills. Participants get one day of OET skills and toboggan handling and the other day working with top PSIA coaches to work on personal ski/ride skills. Patrollers interested in the Certified program can sign up for the Intro to Certified program which provides an overview of the tested modules. Whatever your goal is for the weekend there will be a group that fits.
Finally, to help participants that need reasonably priced lodging we have bunks available for the weekend. Join the instructors and staff who will be staying at the Turn of the River Lodge. It will be a great opportunity to unwind after a busy day on the slopes and chat around the fire with OET, Women’s, and Certified Leadership. Expect some après fun and camaraderie with fellow patrollers from across the East.
Tickets for all patroller school and OET events are available here. https://www.patrollerschool.org/events/divi-home/outdoor-emergency-transportation/ They go on sale the day after Thanksgiving.
by Matt Nebzydoski, OET Supervisor | Sep 13, 2025 | Division News, Program News
Yes, it’s very steep!
OET Steering is excited to announce a diverse lineup of events across the division for the upcoming season. These events offer valuable opportunities for patrollers to learn, grow, and connect with fellow patrollers.
Patroller Schools have a rich history of providing patrollers the opportunity to learn from the best instructors, including Division Staff and Certified Patrollers. In fact, the Elk Mountain, Maine, and Killington Patroller Schools can trace their history back more than 30 years when they were founded by Certified Patrollers looking to share their expertise.
Patroller Schools are awesome opportunities for patrollers at all levels to grow their OET skills and enjoy the camaraderie of meeting fellow patrollers from outside their home mountains. Events will include Senior, Women’s, and Certified level training. Schools will also offer top level PSIA coaches to help hone your ski, snowboard, and tele technique.
In addition, instructors and TEs will have several Ski Trainer Workshops (STWs) to choose from to help maintain and grow their skill sets. We will continue our theme of “Building Great Instructors” for a second year as we provide multiple opportunities for instructor development.
Here is a tentative list of this season’s events. More details to come in the coming months in Trail Sweep and at Patrollerschool.org.
Patroller Schools
1. Timberline/Canaan Valley – Jan 10 – 11
2. Maine Region – Jan 24-25
3. Elk – Jan 24-25
4. Plattekill – Jan 31-Feb 1
5. Sugarbush (Steeps, Trees, and Bumps) – Feb 5 tentative
6. Killington – Feb 7-8
7. Gore – Feb TBD
Ski Trainer Workshops (STWs) Dates TBD
1. Jay Peak
2. Sugarbush
3. Catamount
4. Holiday Valley
5. Waterville Valley
6. Ski Liberty
7. Sugarloaf
by Matt Nebzydoski, OET Supervisor | Jul 4, 2025 | Spotlight Articles
Yes, it’s very steep!
The OET Steering Committee will meet during the 1st weekend in August to plan for the upcoming season. We expect another busy year with a continued focus on “Building Great Instructors,” ensuring an excellent Senior OET program, movement analysis training, and a video course related to our OET skills and toboggan work.
We anticipate patroller schools at the following locations: Timberline/Canaan Valley (a three-division school in collaboration with Southern and Central), Elk Mountain, Killington, Gore, Plattekill, and a northern location TBD.
We’re working on some new options, such as skiing the steeps, trees, and bumps for those looking to enhance their personal skiing.
As soon as the details are in place, the information will be available on the Patroller School website, the division calendar, and published in Trail Sweep.
by Matt Nebzydoski, OET Supervisor | Nov 18, 2024 | Division News, Program News
OET has been working hard all summer to prepare for the upcoming season. This winter we will introduce new initiatives including the first version of the Toboggan Fundamentals, updating some components of the Senior OET assess⇒ment, new online Moodle School course offerings, and version 2.0 of the OET TE Handbook. This December, OET Staff will meet with Regional and National ski and toboggan leadership at Killington for our annual training. The updates will be communicated through patroller schools and regional clinics.
What are the Toboggan Fundamentals? The Toboggan Fundamentals are launching this season across the divisions and include four statements that we believe are present at all levels of toboggan handling and tail rope work from candidates to certified patrollers. They capture the safety, technical skills, route selection, and communication necessary for safe patient transport.
Toboggan Fundamentals
→ Employ sound judgment to ensure the safety of the toboggan handlers, passengers, and the public.
→Use a blend of technical fundamentals and chain/rope management to control the speed and direction of the toboggan.
→Use route selection and other tactical skills to optimize the toboggan path to safely arrive at a scene or transport a patient.
→Employ appropriate communication between toboggan handlers, passengers, and the public.
OET Moodle School Course Offerings
New OET courses for this season will include a course titled Building Great Instructors focused on the integration of the PSIA-AASIA Learning Connection Model into our training. The introduction focuses on how great instructors blend excellent technical skills with a strong knowledge of teaching and people skills to connect with learners. Expect to hear more about this theme as the season progresses. We have also updated our instructor, TE, and IT prep courses. OET recommends that any patroller interested in progressing in their skills check them out, and especially encourage aspiring toboggan instructors and TEs to take advantage of the wealth of information contained in each course module.
Senior Program Updates
The Senior OET Assessment will be updated this year to include some new elements and increase the relevance of testing components. OET Skills will be combined into one run rather than artificially isolating the skills. Candidates will demonstrate the skills needed for the terrain they are navigating and incorporate the skills into their toboggan and tail rope work. A loaded toboggan traverse will also be included that will have driver and tail rope candidates demonstrate the ability to work together as a team to traverse around an obstacle. In a practical sense, the traverse will simulate getting around a rock, tower, bare patch, or other obstacle while safely transporting an injured patient. The goal is to make the assessment more relevant and advance the skills required in senior terrain. More information and senior training opportunities will be available at patroller schools and regional OET clinics throughout the season. Reach out to your local TEs and Regional Leadership to learn more and get involved.
by Matt Nebzydoski, OET Supervisor | Nov 18, 2024 | In Memoriam
Jack Shinn, 76, of Clifford, PA, died peacefully on Monday morning, September, 9, 2024, surrounded by his family at the home of his brother Joe. Born September 6,1948 in Monterey, CA, he was the son of the late Dr. John G. & Claire Caffrey Shinn.
Jack was a graduate of Cardinal O’Hara High School, Springfield, PA and attended St. Paul’s College, St. Paul, MN. He was a US Army veteran, serving in Vietnam and the Army reserves, and went on to work as Operations Manager at Mactac in Moosic, PA. After a brief stint working for Squaw Valley Ski Resort Tahoe, California he returned to the area and worked for Jennings Environmental Management, Inc.
His favorite job by far was as an Elk Mountain Ski Patroller, which he did for most of the last 40 years. He was an OEC instructor for 31 of those years and served as an Assistant Patrol Director. An indispensable member of our pro patrol, he managed the first aid room supply orders for many years.
Jack was a devoted brother and uncle, proud father and grandfather, great friend to all who knew him, and a legendary storyteller. He is survived by one loving daughter: Jamie Shinn and husband, Sean Graham; three grandchildren: Matilda Shinn, Nyra Graham, and Mekhi Graham; one sister: Jean Shinn and husband, Mark Silfee; three brothers: Gerard “Gerry” Shinn, David Shinn and wife, Leslie, Joseph “Joe” Shinn and several adoring nieces and nephews and his beloved Caffrey cousins.
He was preceded in death by three brothers: Robert Bobby,” Richard Rick, and Kevin Shinn and two sisters: Diane Shinn-Box and Natalie Shinn.
A memorial service was held Monday, September 16, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. at the Elk Mountain Ski Resort Lodge, 344 Elk Mountain Road, Union Dale, PA, celebrated by Rev. Bonnie Resseguie and with military honors from the U.S. Army.
Cremation arrangements were under the care of the Shifler-Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Clifford, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Elk Mountain Ski Patrol at the above address.
Read about other patrollers who have completed their Final Sweep by clicking In Memoriam in the red bar at the top of the page.
by Matt Nebzydoski, OET Supervisor | Nov 18, 2024 | In Memoriam
Stanley J. Wierzbicki, Jr., 72, of Greenfield Township, PA, died Thursday, July 4, 2024, at Geisinger Community Medical Center, Scranton, PA, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, the former Joyce M. Sidwell Wierzbicki. They were married October 3, 1988.
Born March 21, 1952, in Carbondale, PA, he was the son of the late Stanley J. Sr. and Eva Kura Wierzbicki.
Stan was a graduate of Mountain View High School and earned a degree in carpentry and woodworking from Johnson Technical School. He was the proud owner and operator for 50 years of Wierzbicki Woodworking, LLC, Greenfield Township. He built numerous homes in the area but was mostly proud of the homes he built for his daughters and close personal friends. Stan was a master carpenter and owned and operated a family farm in Greenfield Township consisting of beef cattle.
Most of the community would know him from working on ski patrol for over 40 years at Elk Mountain. For 25 of those years he served as both an OEC and OET Instructor. In April he attended Powderfall for the first time enjoying the camaraderie of meeting patrollers from across the country. His daughter Heather carries on the family tradition as a member of the Elk Mountain Ski Patrol
He enjoyed skiing so much that he took numerous skiing trips to Europe. He was a faithful member of St. John Vianney Parish.
Stan was joyful, dedicated, kind, caring, generous and hardworking. His hobbies included mountain biking, snow skiing, water skiing and furniture making. He had a love for adventure and wanted to experience life to its fullest in every way. Although he worked often, his family meant everything to him and tried to spend as much of his free time with them. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. At the end of a long day, Stan enjoyed a nice glass of red wine with family and friends.
He is also survived by four daughters: Stephanie Trussell and husband, Dwayne of Morgantown, PA, Heather Walters and husband, Mark of Greenfield Township, PA, Barbara Moody and husband, Chuck Heffner of Greenfield Township, PA, and Jennifer Moody of Madison, GA; six grandchildren: Unique, Reina, Bobby, Ryan, Michael, and Christopher; two sisters: Katherine Krenitsky and husband, Jack of New Berlin, PA and Barbara Jones of Virginia; one brother: John Wierzbicki and wife, Mary Helen of Lisbon, ME; and one aunt and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister: Maureen Bartron.
The funeral was held Wednesday, July 10, 2024, from the Shifler-Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 18 Airport Road, Clifford, PA, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Pius X Church, 3615 State Route 106, Royal, PA, celebrated by Rev. Andrew Amankwaa, pastor. Interment was at the Wierzbicki Cemetery, 189 Lee Road, Greenfield Township, PA.
Pallbearers: Mark Walters, Dwayne Trussell, Timothy Krenitsky, Thomas Meagher, Jeffrey Feather, and Charles Mazza. Viewing hours were held Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Stan’s name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at lls.org or St. John Vianney Parish, 704 Montdale Road, Scott Township, PA 18447.
Read about other patrollers who have completed their Final Sweep by clicking In Memoriam in the red bar at the top of the page.
