Want to learn more about stress awareness and patroller wellness? The Patroller Stress Awareness Team (PSAT) will begin hosting monthly zoom forums to promote stress injury education offered to all Eastern Division patrollers. Starting March 13, 2024 at 7 pm, a recurring zoom forum will be held the second Wednesday of each month. If you’re interested in patroller stress, recovery & wellness, please attend. The forums are free and open to everyone in emergency.
• Learn about patroller stress & wellness.
• Network & share ideas with colleagues.
• Discuss topics with PSAT, Region & Division Leadership.
Please be aware that:
• The Zoom forums are for patroller enrichment and education only.
• Attending these forums may trigger a prior traumatic stress event.
• They are not intended for treatment of any condition or professional medical care.
If you have any questions, please contact Melinda Mingus, MD, Eastern Division Safety Team Advisor and Eastern Division Patroller Stress Awareness Advisor by email or phone 646-522-1451.
Once again this year, the Eastern Division Women’s Program has a variety of events happening across the Division. Whether you are a long-time patroller wanting to improve your skills, a candidate looking to learn new skills, or even an aspiring instructor, all women patrollers are welcome to attend one of these upcoming programs.
Events Around the Division
Women-specific groups will be available in the following Patroller Schools (check out www.patrollerschool.org for more details)
• Sugarloaf, ME – January 20-21
• Elk Mountain, EPA – January 20-21
• Plattekill, SNY – January 27-28
• Killington, SVT – February 3-4
• Seven Springs, WAPP – February 10-11
• Gore, ENY – February 24-25
In addition, women’s clinics are being planned in most regions. Check the Eastern Division Calendar or the specific Region Calendar for more information on these events:
• EPA – Elk Mountain – January 19
• WNY – Buffalo Ski Center – January 21
• WMASS – Bousquet – January 21 (Toboggan)
• CT – Mount Southington – January 28
• NH – TBD – February 4
• CNY – Song Mountain – February 10
• WMASS – Bousquet – February 11 (Skiing/Riding)
• ENY – Gore – March 23
• NVT – Jay Peak – TBD
• EPA – Blue Mountain – TBD
• SVT – Saskadena Six – TBD
• GV – Location & Date TBD **Nordic/MTR Adventure
National Events
If you love to travel, like meeting new people, and want to experience patrolling in other areas of the country, check out some of the other events happening throughout the US:
• POWDERFALL – April 10-14 – Vail, CO: NSP’s premier education event. Held every other year, it includes three days of educational sessions and program roundtables.
• PSIA/AASI WOMEN’S SUMMIT – February 25-28 – Solitude, UT: PSIA/AASI hosts three days of skiing and riding with some of the top female educators and instructors. Focus on your skills, teaching, and even run a few toboggans.
Other Division Women’s Clinics – Various clinics being held in other Divisions around the country and more being announced soon:
We are happy to announce that once again this year, the Eastern Division Women’s Program will be sponsoring three $300 scholarships for women patrollers to attend an Eastern Division Patroller School or Women’s Clinic. In memory of Western Appalachian Patroller Deborah Stitt, the scholarship was established to provide more women the opportunity to attend a Patroller School or Women’s Clinic and support the development of leadership skills within the NSP.
Applications are being accepted through March 15, 2024. The application and additional information can be found on the Women’s Program Scholarship page on PatrollerSchool.org.
The Eastern Division NSP Women’s Program Mission is to empower patrollers by advancing skills and developing leadership in a women-focused program. It was funded anonymously in memory of Western Appalachian Patroller Deborah Stitt. Deborah had the opportunity to attend an Eastern Division Patroller School. She was empowered to continue her patrol journey and support other women patrollers in developing their leadership skills within the NSP.
Applicants must be current and active female Eastern Division National Ski Patrol members. We encourage all active women members to apply no matter their category: Alpine Patrollers, Nordic Patrollers, Patrollers, Young Adult Patrollers, Candidates, and active Alumni.
Patrollers may not be awarded more than one scholarship for each ski season. Patrollers may apply each year for the scholarship, but recipients may not be awarded more than two Eastern Division Women’s Program Scholarships in their patrol career.
Recipients will be selected based on what they wish to gain by attending a women-focused event, how they will encourage and develop other women at the local mountain and region, and how patrolling has influenced them.
The Eastern Division Women’s Program Supervisor will notify selected recipients via email and phone by April 1. Those not chosen for the 2024-2025 ski season will be notified by April 15.
Recipients may register for an Eastern Division Patroller School or Women’s Clinic of their choice. Attendance at a Fall Patroller School, typically held each August or September, are also eligible.
Scholarship funds may be used towards the registration fee, lodging, tickets, meals, and mileage. In the event of a program cancellation, the recipient can carry the scholarship over to the next ski season.
Excitement is building for the first Eastern Division Alumni and Patroller Celebration at Mount Snow Ski Resort, February 11-16, 2024. The Eastern Division Alumni Advisors have announced the schedule of events for the week, as well as updated information about lodging and lift tickets.
There is no fee to attend the celebration. However, all costs are the participant’s responsibility.
Registration
If you are planning to join us for any part of the week, please provide the following:
Your Name
Others with you
Arrival date
How long you are staying
Former/present Patrol/Region
Cell phone
Email
Email to: Allan Miller
Questions/ideas/suggestions? Allan’s phone 518-441-3899.
Lodging
Lodging at a preferred rate has been arranged for us from February 11-16. To reserve rooms at the group rate, call Group Reservations at (855) 948-0698. Reference Group Code: SSNSKI24 or the group name (Ski Patrol Alumni Ski Event). The reservation line is open Monday-Friday from 9 am-7 pm EST and Saturday/Sunday from 10 am-7 pm EST. We have a 20% discount on all rooms at the Grand Summit.
Lift Tickets
The best lift ticket prices are available by purchasing Epic Day Passes prior to the event.
Here’s the link: https://www.epicpass.com/Passes/Epic-Day-Pass. Also, there is a senior rate.
Schedule
Sunday, Feb 11
Welcome Get Together at Harriman’s Pub, 5 pm
Dinner at Harriman’s Pub, 6 pm
Monday, Feb 12
Breakfast at Grand Country Deli, Main Base Lodge, 8 am
Skiing and riding at mountain tour at base of Grand Summit Express, 9 am
Lunch at Main Base Lodge, 11:30 am
Meet-up at Harriman’s Pub and Kitchen, 5 pm
Dinner at Harriman’s Pub and Kitchen, 6 pm
Tuesday, Feb 13
Breakfast at Grand Country Deli, Ground Floor, Grand Summit Resort, 8 am
Skiing and Riding & Mountain Tour at base of Bluebird Lift, 9 am
Lunch at Main Base Lodge, 11:30 am
Yoga 4:30 Grand Summit, 1 hr. $20
Meet at Harriman’s Pub, 5 pm
Dinner at Harriman’s Pub, 6:00 pm
Discussion: NSP and the 10th Mtn. Division led by Scott Launt, Grand Summit, 8 pm
Wednesday, Feb 14
Breakfast at Grand Country Deli, Ground Floor, Grand Summit Resort, 8:00 am
Skiing and Riding at base of Bluebird Lift, 9 am
Lunch at Main Base Lodge, 11:30 am
Meet at Harriman’s Pub, 5 pm
Dinner at American Flatbread, 6:30 pm
Thursday, Feb 15
Breakfast at Grand Country Deli, Ground Floor, Grand Summit Resort, 8:00 am
Skiing and Riding at base of Bluebird Lift, 9:00 am
Lunch break at Main Base Lodge, 11:30 am
Yoga 4:30 Grand Summit, 1 hr. $20
Meet at Harriman’s Pub, 5 pm
Dinner at Local restaurant TBD, 6:30 pm
Activities
We are not specifically scheduling these. If you are interested, please let us know the day and your time preference, and we will work to get the groups coordinated.
Yoga, 4:30, Tuesday and Thursday at the Grand Summit, $20/participant
Snowmobiling at Snowmobile Vt. A 25 min drive from the mountain. 2-hour tour, 1 rider rate $241, Tours at 10,12 & 2 PM.
XC skiing and snow shoeing is available at Grafton Trails and Outdoor center, about a 45-minute drive
Vermont Distillers, Hogback Mountain Tasting Room and Country Store, 21 minute drive
Please print this flyer and post it.
Contact
If you plan to advise please let Allan Miller, the Eastern Division Alumni Advisor, know including your name(s), planned arrival date, old/present patrol/division, cell phone number, and email. If you plan to stay offsite, please let Allan know what meals and/or events you will be participating in.
You will receive additional updates about planned activities during the week. For questions, contact Allan Miller at 518-441-3899. Mark your calendars and be part of this unforgettable gathering. We can’t wait to see you there!
Help us promote this event!
The Alumni Regional Committee would like your help promoting this Patroller Celebration event. Please click the poster link below to print and post in your patrol room.
The Patroller School online course, Stress Injury Preparation for Patrollers or SIPP, launched in September and profiled in the December issue of Trail Sweep, has had a greater than anticipated impact both in terms of response and reaction.
Response
Since the course was launched in September, more than 150 patrollers and mountain hosts have requested access to it. Granted this isn’t a viral number but, for Patroller School, it’s quite significant.
According to Orest Ohar, Eastern Division’s Online School Administrator, “the SIPP course has become the division’s fastest growing online course. It has the highest student count, more than double any other courses taught by the MTR, Avalanche, or OET programs.”
More than half of these students have started the course and more than a third have completed it, while many others are still working their way through it.
Many patrols and every region are represented. Some more than others:• Ski Sundown (CT) 6 students
• Okemo (SVT) 5
• Mad River Glen (NVT) 5
• Camelback and Spring Mountain (EPA) 5 each, and
• Gore (ENY) 4
There’s even been interest from the Central, Far West, Rocky Mountain, and Intermountain Divisions.
Reaction
The ED Course Improvement Questionnaire, used for all Patroller School courses, is built into SIPP. And students are strongly encouraged to use it to provide feedback.
40% of the students who have completed the course, also provided feedback via the Improvement Questionnaire. This too is quite significant: a good survey response rate ranges between 5% and 30%. An excellent response rate is 50% or higher.
As noted below, student reactions are very positive. All responses average in the “Agree” (good) to “Strongly Agree” (very good) levels. Indeed, there have been no negative survey responses whatsoever. (Scoring Levels: 3=Neither Agree or Disagree 4=Agree 5=Strongly Agree)
4.3 – I enjoyed the program
4.6 – Recommend to others
4.3 – Feel I benefitted
4.1 – Felt involved in the event
4.3 – Well organized
4.5 – Well-prepared teacher
When respondents made the effort to provide narrative feedback, what they had to say was also overwhelmingly positive.
For example:
• Well organized, full of factual info at just the right level.
• Was extremely helpful in understanding this issue that so often goes undetected until it is too late. The use of the videos was very good.
• Self-paced. Appreciated learning about various stress responses and reflecting on my own. How to stay or return to “green.”
• Overall the course was well presented and covered the material well. The course made the important points and repeated them enough to have the student understand the goal of the program and when it is important. This is a difficult topic, and each person will react differently to what is presented.
The course is important and should be appropriately worked into the basic training of all patrollers so that it gets to every new patroller in some way.
What It Means
The better-than-expected response to SIPP and the very positive feedback is more than just numerical values and percentages. They represent the voices and opinions of those who matter most to our organization – our members.
Each student registration documents the importance of the topic of stress injury. Each respondent to the feedback survey represents an individual perspective. Collectively, they paint a mosaic of opinions and experiences. Together the metrics demonstrate the success of Stress Injury Preparation for Patrollers and advocate for wider use of the course throughout the Eastern Division.
I’m Craig Larson, the Eastern Division Young Adult Patroller (YAP) Supervisor, and you caught me decorating for Christmas. I’m glad you are reading this because I have news to share with everyone!
Watch the video and spread the news to your fellow YAPs and their parents!
Watch for details coming soon on the YAP Events page of PatrollerSchool. The YAP Summit fills up fast, so don’t wait. Keep your eyes and ears peeled, watching for registration to open. Save the dates and start planning for the 2024 YAP Summit at Smugglers’ Notch, March 8th to 12th.
It was my pleasure to announce the nine patrollers who were awarded scholarships or received honorable mentions from the Memorial Scholarship Fund at the 2023 Spring Officer’s Meeting Banquet. Be sure to congratulate them when you see them on the slopes this winter.
Scholarships $1,000
Luke Wester
Luke Wester
Cornell University, Hotel Administration
Luke currently patrols near school at Greek Peak in CNY, but has patrolled at Mt. Southington in CT where he was named Mt. Southington and CT YAP of the year. He also patrolled with his father at Wintergreen, WV near their home in VA. He said, “I am a second-generation ski patroller, and I often patrol with my father who has patrolled at seven different ski resorts throughout his life. My father is in the military, so I have moved 10 times, experiencing different ski resorts across the United States, mostly on the east coast. After college, I hope to go into the ski resort industry, running hotels or overseeing certain ski resort operations. I have an internship lined up this summer at a hotel in Aspen where I will be learning more about running the ski resort. No matter what I end up doing though, I will continue to volunteer as a ski patroller, as it is by far one of my favorite pastimes and has helped me with adjusting to new places and meeting new people.”
Maggie Nebzydoski
Margaret Nebzydoski
University of Vermont, Nutrition & Food Sciences
Maggie patrols at Elk Mountain in EPA and is the daughter of Matt Nebzydoski, ED OET Supervisor. She has patrolled for four years, and in that time completed Senior OET and Instructor Development. Her college activities include the UVM Ski & Snowboard Club, Student Nutrition Association, and UVM Feel Good which raises money for the Hunger Project. Maggie is also participating in a research project that studies the well-being of college students. Regarding patrolling, she said, “Ski Patrol has played a much larger role in my life than I could have ever imagined. I have learned essential life skills that helped me become a better student. I am so grateful for the person ski patrol has made me, and the work ethic I developed as a result has helped me excel in all that I do.”
Eliot Jablonski
Eliot Jablonski
College of the Holy Cross, English/History
Eli patrols at the National Winter Activity Center in NJ, along with his father, Jeff, and brother, Nate, where he was a Bandaid patroller for several years before becoming a patroller. Subsequently, he became an OEC Instructor. As an Eagle Scout, his project was to organize and lead the cleaning and restoration of veterans’ gravestones in the Soldier’s Circle at Arlington Cemetery in Kearny, NJ. In high school, he played varsity baseball and was a member of the National Science Honor Society and the National French Honor Society. In addition to French, Eli has also studied Latin. Last year he traveled to Rome, learning more about that ancient language, but also, as he puts it, “the sophistication, genius, and creativity of the civilization that created it.” He said, “The old and new coalesced for me at the Vatican, where a recognition of tradition permits a deeper understanding of our responsibilities in the present.” Eli was recently named the 2023 National Outstanding Young Adult Patroller.
Liam commutes 2.5 hours each way from Northern VA to volunteer at Canaan Valley, in WAPP, where he’s a third-generation patroller. His extracurricular activities in high school included the Dungeons & Dragons club, soccer, and the table tennis club. He is also an Eagle Scout. Liam said, “Ski patrol has made me a better person, gaining a better understanding of business, human interaction, and stress. I have also been exposed to different viewpoints and have gained a lot of experience working on a team as well as being a leader. My life goal is to become an EMS helicopter pilot. To accomplish this, I need to go to college; then I plan to join the Coast Guard. Becoming a pilot is a long and arduous process, and my experience as a ski patroller has helped, and will continue to help, keep me fit and to guide me towards becoming a better team player.”
Aidan Coco
Aidan Coco
University of New Hampshire, Biomedical Science/Medical Laboratory Science Option
Aidan patrols at Bousquet Ski Patrol in WMASS. He was a member of the New England Youth Cycling cross-country mountain bike racing team, the Shire Shredders; plus a high school ski racer and president of the Longfellow chapter of the National Honor Society. In addition to volunteering as a patroller, he has also volunteered as an anatomy & physiology tutor, in the Thanksgiving Angels food drive, and for the Josh Billings Triathlon. Having participated in an attempt to save a life while patrolling, Aidan shared the following. “While this accident was difficult for a very long list of obvious reasons, I would like to reflect on how well the patrol came together to help with the incident leaving me to feel a sense of family unlike ever before. As everyone made sure that those who were part of the accident were getting along alright, I never felt more content with my choice to join the patrol. Ski patrol is more than just a job to everyone at Bousquet and it shows. I do not know where I would be without it.”
Honorable Mentions $250
Josie Kelley
Josie Kelly
Keuka College, Occupational Therapy
Josie is a member of the Sawmill Ski Patrol in WAPP. Following graduation, she is interested in working in either acute care or mental health. At college, she is a Keuka College Student Trustee, a Peer Mentor, runs on the Woman’s Cross Country Team, and is a member of the Student Occupational Therapy Association. On weekends, Josie often travels back home to Pennsylvania from New York State to patrol at Sawmill with her father, Curtis.
Wyatt Carniglia
Wyatt Carniglia
Norwich University, ROTC
Wyatt patrols at Whiteface Mountain in ENY. He, his father, and his sister all joined the patrol together. In high school, Wyatt played both varsity baseball and soccer, was on the trap shooting team, and was the school mascot for basketball games. He also served as the Cadet Squadron Commander for the Green Mountain Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. Wyatt received the Army National ROTC Scholarship to study at Norwich University where he would like to be a part of the Mountain Cold Weather Company Corps. His long-term goal is to become a MedEvac helicopter pilot.
Maia Merriman
Maia Merriman
Lafayette College, Chemical Engineering/Art dual major
Maia patrols at Blue Mountain in EPA. She has completed Instructor Development and plans to take an EMT bridge course. In high school, she was in the Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, on the Debate Team, ran Track & Field, and was a member of the Ski Club. In college, Maia is a member of the Student Government, Engineers Without Borders, the Society of Women Engineers, and the Ski and Board Club. A Girl Scout Gold Award recipient her project was to organize and digitally catalog her school’s music library. When she completes her studies, Maia would like to work in material development for medical devices or improving technologies in the medical field
Ryan Bellemore
University of Vermont, Biology, Pre-Med track
Ryan patrols at Nashoba Valley in EMARI where he received Outstanding Junior Patroller and Outstanding Instructor awards. In high school, he played football and was a member of the Health Occupation Students of America. Ryan has volunteered with the Groton and Westford Fire Departments for several years and recently earned both National and Massachusetts State EMT Certifications. He was the Hans Hyson Award winner at the 2023 Young Adult Patroller Summit.
The 2024 scholarship application period opens on January 1, 2024, and runs through March 31, 2024. If you’d like to learn more, visit the Memorial Fund webpage, or contact fund advisor Harriet Frawley.
The Eastern Division has an incredibly talented group of patrollers. We are proud that so many were honored with awards this year. This is a list of the awards winners for 2023, including our Eastern Division patrollers who won National Outstanding Awards and the Eastern Division Outstanding Awards winners. The list also includes National and Leadership Commendation Appointments, Distinguished and Meritorious Service, Purple, Blue, Green, and Yellow Merit Stars, Patriot Star, Patroller Cross, and Patroller Achievement Award winners, plus 50-year Lifetime Service Awards.
Jerry Sherman Outstanding Division Patroller Award
Mike
McGinnis
SNY
Daniel
Fields
CNY
990 Award
Laura
Tucker
WMA
William Gross Memorial Fist Aid Trophy
501c3 Award
Tom W.
Blackwell
SNY
John
Tuttle
WNY
David J. Nelson Memorial Scholarships 2023
Scholarships
Honorable Mentions
Aidan
Coco
WMA
Ryan
Bellemore
EMARI
Liam
Ferguson
WAPP
Wyatt
Carniglia
ENY
Eliot
Jablonski
NJ
Josie
Kelly
WAPP
Margaret
Nebzydoski
EPA
Maia
Merriman
EPA
Luke
Wester
CNY
National Appointments 2023
John
O'Neil
12289
WMA
Kaitlyn
Fowle
12290
NVT
Charlie
Magill
12291
NVT
Peter
Bayer
12297
CT
Rebecca
Moran-Rubin
12298
CT
Stew
Bartner
12302
WMA
Anna
Jaremko
12303
WNY
John
Starke
12308
GV
Mark
Tornatore
12309
GV
Chris
Morrell
12314
WMA
Bill
Welch
12319
WMA
Greg
McCabe
12325
WNY
Rachel
Miller
12327
GV
Brian
Ferguson
12334
GV
Peter
Buss
12346
WAPP
Mike
Wallace
12347
WAPP
Joe
Budney
12350
EPA
Leadership Commendation Appointments 2023
Peter
Alusitz
8571
WMA
William
Muir
8573
ME
William
Schaaf
8575
WNY
Janet
Snyder
8577
GV
James 'Chris'
Greenwood
8583
NVT
Walt
Stoy
8585
WAPP
Distingished Service Award 2023
Greg
Boberg
WNY
Frank
Frohnapple
WNY
Tony
Percivalle
WMA
Ed
Ralicki
WMA
Ned
Storm
GV
Dennis
Zercher
EPA
Meritorius Service Award 2023
Linda
Clifford
WMA
Steve
Duncan
GV
Norm
Jacques
WMA
Bobby
Morgan
EPA
Tony
Philpin
CT
John
Sober
WMA
Bill
Teamerson
GV
Kris
Vasiliauskas
GV
Pam
Welch
GV
Robert
West
EMARI
Scott
Wilson
WMA
Purple Merit Star 2023
Martin
Clements
NVT
Alex
Nagle
WNY
Tom
Davis
EPA
Terry
Ownes
EPA
Aaron
Deuell
NH
Noah
Philip
SVT
Jim
Derzon
PRO
Fletcher "Ian"
Potter
NVT
Sarah
Driansky
SVT
Steve
Rawlings
WNY
Rob
Finicle
WNY
Dan
Russell
WNY
Douglas
Fish
SVT
Brandon
Seifert
PRO
Benjamin
Graham
WNY
Brian
Sicke
ENY
Levi
Groves
ENY
Cynthia
Slisz
WNY
Amy
Guth
NH
David
Smith
EPA
Justin
Guth
NH
Steve
Snyder
WNY
Joe
Hall
EPA
Deborah
Truman
WNY
Mathew
Hersh
WNY
Don
Uhler
ENY
David
Magagna
EPA
Kate
Voorhees
NVT
Mike
Mayernick
WNY
Orla
Walsh
NVT
Rich
Miller
EPA
Blue Merit Star 2023
William
Andrews
EPA
Mike
Kirsch
WNY
Paul
Austin
NH
Garth
Leaning˜
ENY
Gunnar
Blanchard
PRO
Jennifer
Lesperance
WMA
Brandon
Boutelle
ENY
Barry
Lipsky
SVT
Christopher
Boyd
WAPP
Keith
MacPhail
WAPP
Arnolde
Carbaugh
PRO
Colin
Mahoney
NVT
Robert
Carhart
EPA
Rosalie
Mayernick
WNY
Matt
Carniglia
ENY
Will
Miemis
ENY
James
Carruthers
EPA
Liam
O'Brien
WMA
Cara
Chandler
WMA
Bob
Ouellette
WMA
Aidan
Coco
WMA
Ben
Parker
WMA
Mark
Conboy
PRO
Derek
Prill
ENY
Thomas
Csongradi
EPA
James (Ted)
Proctor
WAPP
Chad
Culbertson
EPA
Joe
Rine
ENY
Bryan
Daniel
WNY
Rodrigo
Risopatron
EPA
Ed
Daviau (2)
WMA
Ann
Ritz-Farmer
PRO
Edward
Ecker
EPA
Howard
Rosenthal
EPA
Whitney
Emery (2)
PRO
Bernd
Schleimann
WMA
Yarrow
Farnsworth
NH
Larry
Schottke
WNY
Bob
Fernandes
WMA
Justin
Schwab
WNY
Rob
Finicle (2)
WNY
Brandon
Seifert
PRO
John
Foppert
ENY
Kelley
Shultz
NH
Margaret
Foss
NH
Brian
Sicke
ENY
Tom
Gale (2)
PRO
Kyle
Sinclair (2)
ENY
Steve
Glidden
WMA
Leo
Smith
WMA
Melanie
Goulding
WNY
Matt
Smith
PRO
Julie
Hall (2)
EPA
Robert
Snoby
WAPP
Barry
Harris
WNY
Daniel
Speicher
WAPP
Don
Hasch
WAPP
Chad
Taggart
WAPP
Naomi
Hodgson
PRO
William
Walker
NH
Johnathan
Imgrund
WAPP
Bill
Walton
PRO
Renata
Jankowska
EPA
Hailey
Youshock
EPA
Caitlin
Kelly
PRO
Doug
Zecher
SVT
Michael
Keyes
SVT
Timothy
Benoit
EMARI
Zoe
Smith
EMARI
Daniel
Wyco
EMARI
Green Merit Star 2023
Robert
Giolito
SVT
Yellow Merit Star 2023
Forrest
Abild
WMA
Nicolas
Loew
SVT
Wayne
Arsenault
ME
Nathan
Maclure
ME
Jamie
Baker
NVT
Brant
Maley
EPA
Sue
Ballek
EPA
Louis
Marchi Jr.
EPA
Greg
Boberg
WNY
Stuart
Mavros
NJ
Jared
Boger
WAPP
Nancy
Mayberry
EPA
Larry
Burnah
PRO
Willaim
McMinn
SVT
Neal
Colquhoun
EPA
Ed
Meeks
EPA
Kelly
Cota
NVT
Bob
Miller
EPA
David
Curry
GV
Keith
Miller
GV
Russ
Czjaka
EPA
Skip
Millor
GV
Mary
Davis
SVT
Greg
Mohr
EPA
Tom
Davis
EPA
David
Nelson, Jr (2)
SNY
Michael
DeFiilippis
NJ
Terry
Ownes
EPA
Gerry
Delisle
WMA
Jim
Policelli
EPA
Ted
Diamond
WMA
Gerry
Pollard
WMA
Mike
Dimin
WMA
Alan
Quimby
WNY
Megan
Eckhart
EPA
Adam
Ray
EPA
Thomas
Eshleman
WAPP
Kenneth
Reese
EPA
Benjamin
Graham
WNY
Jennifer
Rinker
EPA
Harold
Green (2)
WMA
Howard
Rosenthal
EPA
Anna
Hermann
WAPP
Steve
Shelly
GV
Leslie
Kelley
SVT
Laura
Sinsabaugh
WAPP
P. Timothy
Kelly
EPA
Tamara
Sloan
WMA
Michael
Klau
EMARI
Robert
Snoby
WAPP
Thomas
Kneiss (2)
EPA
Paul
Spear
EPA
Garth
Leaning
ENY
Danielle
Stepongzi
ENY
John
Leckey
WMA
Tony
Telesco
NVT
Marianne
Lewis
WAPP
Susan
Wiley
EPA
Cheryl
Lilley
WMA
Melissa
Winters
NH
Gerry
Kaelblein
EMARI
Michael
Klau
EMARI
Patroller Cross 2023
Thomas
Braunsworth
NJ
Jacob
Mullen
WMA
Leanne
Carlson
WNY
Chuck
Natario
WMA
David
Cimini
WMA
Jason
O’Donnell
SNY
Edward
Csongradi
EPA
Sue-Ellen
Repeta
CT
Curt
Goetz
WNY
Thomas
Williams
NVT
Jared
Maidman
WMA
Mike
Zinchuk
WMA
Patroit Star 2023
Forrest
Abild
WMA
Erin
McSoley
WMA
Peter
Beauregard
WMA
Dennis
Morris
SVT
Ken
Burdick
WMA
Christopher
Murphy
NVT
Hannah
Burk
WMA
Tony
Ostroski
WMA
George
Burns
WNY
Bob
Ouellette
WMA
Annalise
Callaghan
WMA
Khali
Parker
WMA
Mark
Chapman
SVT
Joseph
Phelan
NVT
Sunny
Crawford
WMA
Gerry
Pollard
WMA
James
DeBisschop
CT
Nile
Pullin
CT
Greg
Diaz
CT
Ed
Ralicki
WMA
Ian
Dodson
EPA
Aiden
Reinhardt
WMA
Richard
Dulac
CT
Eric
Sandborn
ME
Frank
Fields
WMA
James
Saulnier
SVT
Jacob
Frederick
WMA
Claudia
Schuh
WMA
Fred
Fritz
CT
Simon
Sekulovski
WMA
Rit
Gorman
WMA
Alexander
Sheehan
WMA
Todd
Gustaitis
ME
Brian
Smith
CT
Erika
Hartel
WMA
Dominick
Sondrini
WMA
Matthew
Hayes
WNY
Jacob
Teague
WMA
William
Holmes
SVT
Marley
Wait
WMA
Bill
Kearney
CT
Jessica
Weiss
SVT
Cade
Manasco
WMA
Chiara
Wurdack
WMA
Brian
McDonald
NVT
Erik
Zetterstrom
NVT
Riley
McHale
WMA
Patroller Achievment Award 2023
David
Albano
CT
Mickey
Lorenson
WMA
James
Barry
CT
Mark
Lukacs
GVR
Marshall
Berger
CT
Bob
Marsh
CNY
Linda
Boyd
CT
Dail
Martin
ME
Patrick
Carr
CT
Victor
Martin
CT
Corey
Clukey
CT
Al
Mason
WMA
Rick
Coffey
CT
Tim
McClusky
CNY
Scott
Dawick
CT
Jim
McClusky
CNY
Arran
Duncan
GVR
Michael
Moore
CT
Kathleen
Easty
CNY
Becky
Mudge
CT
Jeff
Feather
EPA
Tom
Murch
CNY
Rob
Fielding
WMA
Mike
Novello
GVR
Jim
Foley
CT
Timothy
O’Connor
CT
Bernadette
Fowler
CT
Richard
Ohanesian
CT
Mike
George
WNY
Alisa
Phillips-Griggs
CT
Ron
Gingrich
CNY
Todd
Rogers
GVR
Pam
Henel
WNY
Dave
Sacchitella
WMA
Louis
Heroes
ME
Mark
Sarno
EPA
George
Hicks
WMA
David
Schaffer
CT
Brenda
Horton
CT
Eric
Schmidt
CT
Beth
Howes
WMA
Deanna
Todd
WMA
Melinda
Johnson
WMA
David
Tomazic
EPA
Barb
Knauf
CNY
Frank
Trifiletti
CT
John
LaDuc
CNY
Ed
Whelan
CNY
Michael
Lapierre
CT
Robert
Witkewicz
CT
50-Year National Lifetime Service Award 2023
Ron
Clark
WMA
Mike
Dydych
ENY
National Certificate of Appreciation 2023
Eric
Erickson
EPA
William
Martyak
WAPP
The process of recognizing dedicated patrollers never stops. The deadline for submitting the 2024 Outstanding Award applications to Eastern Division is March 1st.
The Avalanche team is attempting to work within our winter schedule. If you have not noticed, we have lost a week or two at the end of our season. The snowpack is not as deep as it once was. We also have an increasing population heading into the backcountry, and our programs require more avalanche training.
So, our team is trying something new – a mid-week program at Smugglers’ Notch. We have no idea if this will work for our members, but we have had several requests for it. So you asked, and we are delivering.
We will also be running a Level 2 Avalanche program this year. It has been too long. We are organizing an amazing lineup of instructors and guest speakers. This Level 2 program is required for our Avalanche instructor candidates. I expect this class will fill up fast.
We are delivering an amazing product at a low cost to our users. We will be A3 certified for our Level 1 class, again helping our students by providing a long-term path for future training. We have elected not to become A3 certified for our Level 2 course as this is not on a critical path for our students. It appears that our Level 2 far exceeds the typical recreational Level 2. In fact, our Level 2 is a prep class for Pro Level 1 classes.
I just got back from the Eastern Snow Avalanche Workshop and again was reminded how amazing our program and team are, but I did see some numbers that suggest that East Coast skiers are potentially heading into avalanche terrain with less education and preparation than our Western skiers.
So please, if you are heading into avalanche terrain, get the education and equipment you need. But more importantly, it’s critically important that you have partners that are ready to dig you out. This is where we are lacking on the east coast. We often have one person with the equipment and training, but other party members do not.
If you want to learn more about skiing in avalanche country, sign up for our course at Smugglers’ Notch. For more information, contact David Childs, Eastern Division Avalanche Supervisor, at 413-464-1044.
For more information about the Avalanche course at Smugglers’ Notch, one of four Avalanche courses currently scheduled around the Eastern Division, visit Patroller School and look for the Avalanche Events tile.
The Patroller School online course, Stress Injury Preparation for Patrollers or SIPP, launched in September and profiled in the December issue of Trail Sweep, has had a greater than anticipated impact both in terms of response and reaction.
The Avalanche team is attempting to work within our winter schedule. If you have not noticed, we have lost a week or two at the end of our season. The snowpack is not as deep as it once was. We also have an increasing population heading into the backcountry, and our programs require more avalanche training.
