by Teigh Southworth, OET Steering Committee | Apr 2, 2026 | Division News, Program News, Spotlight Articles
In the past you may have received emails about renewing your Toboggan Instructor status for the Pro Division. It is important to note there are some differences for Pro Division OET instructors to stay up to date. Here is the scoop.
First, you need to understand how the National Ski Patrol is organized. There are nine Geographic Divisions where predominantly volunteers are registered, and the Professional Division where most of the paid patrollers are registered. Each Division is broken down into regions. The regions in the Professional Division have the same boundaries as each of the Geographic Divisions. Here in the Northeast, we are either members of the Eastern Division, or the Eastern Region of the Professional Division.
The Professional Division does not host its own events, neither does the Eastern Division. All OET events are open to all patrollers regardless of registration. Events may be staffed by instructors from either or both divisions. In fact, Eastern and Pro Division members work together from the OET Steering Committee down to plan and develop OET programs that welcome all who attend.
If you are registered in the Eastern Division, you work with your OET Region Advisor to maintain your instructor status. However, if you are registered in the Professional Division, not only do you have to work with your Region Advisor to maintain your instructor status, but you also have to meet the requirements set by the Professional Division, hence the second set of requirements sent by the Professional Division OET Supervisor, the position currently held by Ray Bryan. Ray typically sends out an email mid-March so that he can get the reappointments submitted to the National office by April 30.
If you are an OET Instructor Trainer, a similar set of circumstances will occur, your Region Advisor will be letting you know what is needed to continue as an Instructor Trainer, but you will also receive an email from Ray with the requirements for maintaining your Instructor Trainer Status with the Professional Division.
Hopefully this helps clear up any confusion for members registered in the Professional Division as to why you have two separate sets of requirements for maintaining your Toboggan Instructor or Instructor Trainer status.
On a closing note, the position of Senior Trainer/Evaluator (TE) is an Eastern Division designation only, it does not exist at the national level, and therefore you won’t be getting a second email about how to maintain that status. Contact your OET RA, Matt Nebzydoski, Eastern Division OET Supervisor or Ray Bryan, Pro Division OET Supervisor if you have any questions.
by Chuck Boyd, Nordic/Backcountry Supervisor | Feb 24, 2026 | Division News, Program News
Highland Forest in fresh snow.
Are you ready to be signed off as a Nordic senior or would you still like additional training with the division staff? If so, come join us at Bolton Valley, VT on the weekend of March 21-22, 2026. Bolton Valley has some of the most diversified terrain in the division. It allows us to evaluate XC skiing, backcountry skiing, and alpine touring.
If you are looking to complete your Nordic/Backcountry basic or senior, or train for Nordic Master, come out and join us. Registration is on patrollerschool.org or contact the Nordic/BC Program Supervisor Chuck Boyd.
Registration is still open for the Pike Glades event, but it is filling up. We currently have two slots left. This backcountry event is a must for all uphill skiers, whether you are on telemark skis, alpine touring skis, or a split board. Besides learning uphill technique, we will ski the glades, run toboggans in the glades, and focus on lost area skier SAR techniques for those patrollers who have to go look for riders who duck the ropes and head out of bounds at your area.
Nordic Senior evaluation L-R Tyler Lewis, Jennifer Jones, & Sten Winborg
Sten Winborg teaching classic Nordic skiing
Nordic Fest was a blast and a bit chilly, but everyone braved the cold and learned new skills. Our PSIA instructors did a fantastic job of teaching both skate and classic lessons as the program strives to make better skiers of our Nordic patrollers. Sunday, we conducted both Nordic basic and senior evaluations. This has become an annual event, and I’ll let a few pictures tell the rest of the story.
by Allan Miller, Alumni Supervisor | Feb 24, 2026 | Division News, Program News, Spotlight Articles
THIRD ANNUAL EASTERN DIVISION PATROLLER AND ALUMNI EVENT
Stratton Mountain, Vermont – March, 15–20, 2026
Join us again for the Third Patroller and Alumni event. It will be a week of skiing, information, camaraderie, and après ski good times. We will again celebrate our shared passion for skiing and patrolling! Be there for as long as it’s fun for you! We hope you can stay the whole time, but your stay is up to you! No charge for notable alumni and patroller events. All costs for lodging, lift tickets, and meals are on you.
UPDATED INFORMATION 2/19/26
DATES: The event will coincide with their “Friends and Family Week”, March 15 – 20, 2026
LODGING: Stratton Mountain is AGAIN providing rooms for $99 per night plus tax and VT fees at Black Bear Lodge for the week of the event. This rate is for 1 or 2 people per room. The link for reservations is on the Patroller School website or call (800) 787-2886. Promo Code NSPA26.
LIFT TICKETS: Stratton Mountain is AGAIN giving us a great “Friends and Family” rate of $35.00 per day plus tax. Valid for the week of the event. Lift tickets will be available either through the reservation link or the outside ticket window on the uphill side of the Base Lodge. Identify yourself as a participant in the National Ski Patrol Alumni group and buy the appropriate number of 1-day tickets. Promo Code NSPA26.
OTHER EVENTS: Several after-dinner events are being planned. Last year’s events were well worth the time and a BIG BONUS to the week. Details and schedule of these events will be forthcoming.
Mark your calendars and be part of this unforgettable event. More details will be sent periodically.
VERY IMPORTANT: Let us know if you are coming or if you are interested in getting more information as it becomes available by using the Eastern Division Patroller School link.
Come for a day or come for the whole week. We can’t wait to see you there.
Organized by the Alumni Advisors of the Eastern Division for any member of NSP and their families.
by Scott Launt, CNY Alumni Advisor and John Beach, Historian | Feb 24, 2026 | Division News, Spotlight Articles
On January 23, Eastern Division Patrollers Sue-Ellen Helmacy, John Beach, and Scott Launt were proud to be a part of the celebration ceremony honoring our founder, Charles “Minnie’ Dole. The museum at Fort Drum, New York will forever be known as the Charles Minot “Minnie” Dole Heritage Museum Complex. Accompanying us was Central New York Alumna Susie Turner.
The ceremony featured remarks from Commanding Major General Scott Naumann and Minnie’s grandson, Trux Dole. The General gave a brief history of Minnie’s quest to have the War Department implement mountain troops and his eventual success in doing so. He also spoke about the successes the former members of the 10th had in the ski and sports industries after the war. This included engagement in at least 62 ski areas in some fashion, and the founding of Nike, Head skis, and organizations such as the Sierra Club and the National Park Service.
Continuing the indoor ceremony, Trux Dole, Chairman Ex Officio of the 10th Mountain Foundation, spoke from the heart. He spoke fondly of his grandfather and of his own memories growing up in New England. He recalled that his grandfather was an outdoor enthusiast and an “okay skier”.
The celebration then adjourned outside (to a balmy 12 degrees F) with a dedication plaque unveiled by Trux and General Naumann.
That evening Sue-Ellen, John, Command Sergeant Major (retired) Dave Martell (Watertown/Dry Hill PD) and his wife Nancy, First Sergeant Dan Fields (Watertown/Dry Hill Patroller and president of the 10th Mountain Alpine Club), along with roughly 200 other guests attended the “WINTER OLYMPIC GALA.” The event celebrated the Division’s mountain warfare legacy, its connection with the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina Italy, the same region the 10th fought in during WW, and its official dedication of the Minnie Dole Heritage Museum Complex.
This celebration was over the top! Wonderful hors d’oeuvres, food, and the full 10th Mountain Jazz Ensemble played into the late hours of the evening, all adding to make this an event to remember.
by Rob West, Avalanche Supervisor | Feb 24, 2026 | Division News, Program News
This winter has been cold and snowy for the Avalanche Program. The first course of the season at Whiteface Mountain, NY, saw 16 students successfully complete their Level 1 Avalanche Certification. Over three days spent outdoors in the backcountry and on the mountain, students learned how to evaluate the snowpack and execute avalanche rescues.
Students plan to use their newly found knowledge to venture onto bigger terrain out west, pursue backcountry skiing in the east, and continue on toward the Certified Program.
Twelve students enrolled in a Level 1 course at Smugglers’ Notch, VT, and another 12 students will be taking their Level 2 course at Whiteface in the coming weeks. All courses for this season are full, but we will be offering additional courses next season to accommodate the growing interest in off-piste skiing.
by Grant Fullman, Division Director | Jan 25, 2026 | Division News, National News
I attended the annual face-to-face meeting of the National Board/Division Director/National Program Directors in Denver, January 23 and 24. The Board had a full agenda that included election of the National Chair. After two years of outstanding leadership, Rich Pietrafesa chose not to run for a third term. The Board elected Myron Allen as our new National Chair. Rich was just elected to a second three-year term and will continue to serve on the Board.
When you see Rich, who patrols at Labrador in the Central New York Region, please thank him for helping NSP successfully navigate through some very challenging times. Myron joined NSP in 1995, the same year that I did. He patrols at Medicine Bow Nordic in Wyoming, and he is a Nordic Master #012. I have full confidence that Myron will lead the NSP with our best interests in mind. Congratulations Myron!
I am writing this while preparing to travel from Denver, after leaving the meeting early in an attempt to get home before a massive winter storm hits the East and several others in the meeting are doing the same. Hopefully this storm will bring good news to our ski areas, but first we will need to deal with intense cold, high winds, power outages, and challenging travel!
Please see other announcements that include the YAP Summit (and scholarships), and the Nordic/Backcountry Patroller School at Pike Glades, NH.
Stay warm, have fun, and enjoy every day!
by Chuck Boyd, Nordic/Backcountry Supervisor | Jan 25, 2026 | Division News, Program News
Are you an alpine patroller on skis? or split board? who has skins and have been doing uphill laps for fitness at your mountain? Are you a Nordic/Backcountry Patroller wishing to Improve your ski skills? Or are you any patroller wishing to learn backcountry rescue techniques? If so, then the Backcountry Patroller School at Pike Glades in Haverhill, New Hampshire is the event for you!
In our second year, Pike Glades is an excellent location to practice uphill skiing, backcountry navigation, toboggan handling in the glades, and low angle rescue. With so many out-of-area lost skier events happening in our division, this is a great opportunity to improve your skills and be part of a search and rescue team.
This year, members of the Eastern Division’s OET staff will be teaching our toboggan handling in the trees. We will be doing winter camping ‘lite’. We have access to a mid-mountain cabin to cook in, dry gear, and plan our scenarios. You will pitch your tents around the cabin with stunning views of Mount Moosilauke, and have access to a heated bathroom.
If you need winter camping gear, the Upper Valley Stewardship Center at the base of the mountain will improve your winter camping experience by lending patrollers gear. Also available at the base is the The Innstead Mountain Getaway, a group of luxury cabins for rent by the property landowners.
Backcountry Patroller School is scheduled for the weekend of February 28 through March 1, 2026. Registration is limited and available on patrollerschool.org. For more information contact Chuck Boyd, Nordic/Backcountry Program Supervisor.
by Craig Larson, YAP Supervisor | Jan 25, 2026 | Division News, Program News
🌟 Join the Eastern Division Young Adult Program Staff and fellow young adult patrollers from Maine to West Virginia this March 13–16, 2026, at Smugglers’ Notch Resort in Jeffersonville, VT for an unforgettable weekend.
Never been to an Eastern Division Young Adult Patroller Summit? This is your year to jump in.
Been before? Even better—come back with fresh energy, big enthusiasm, and next-level stoke.
🗓️ Register ASAP — registration closes February 6, 2026.
Spots won’t wait…and neither should you!
🔥 Don’t miss it—be there!
by Sue-Ellen Helmacy, Awards Supervisor | Jan 21, 2026 | Division News, National News, Program News
National Outstanding Awards 1st Place
| Alpine Patroller |
Jeffrey Baker |
GV |
| Alumni Patroller |
Roberta Fox |
ENY |
| Bike Host |
Dave Voelxan |
GV |
| Mountain Host |
Mark Voelkl |
GV |
| Nordic Patroller |
Jeff Sargent |
CNY |
| Nordic Patrol |
Allegany State Park Nordic Patrol |
WNY |
| OEC Instructor |
Vicki Whitacre |
WAPP |
| YAP |
Sean Wallace |
EMARI |
Division Outstanding Awards
| Administrative Patroller |
William Welch |
WMA |
| Alpine Patroller |
Jeffrey Baker |
GV |
| Alpine Patrol – Small |
Saw Creek Patrol |
EPA |
| Alpine Patrol – Large |
Ski Liberty |
EPA |
| Alumni Patroller |
Roberta Fox |
ENY |
| Bike Host |
David Voelxan |
GV |
| Instructor |
Louis Marchi, Jr. |
EPA |
| Mountain Host |
Mark Voelkl |
GV |
| Nordic Patroller |
Jeff Sargent |
CNY |
| Nordic Patrol |
Allegany State Park Nordic Patrol |
WNY |
| OEC Instructor |
Debbi Satterlee |
ENY |
| Patrol Representative |
Nick Rasher |
EMARI |
| Paid Patroller |
Thomas M. Wallace |
WAPP |
| YAP |
Sean Wallace |
EMARI |
National Appointment
| Thad Brown |
12361 |
WNY |
| Tim Jackson |
12375 |
WNY |
| James Giffin |
12382 |
NVT |
| Anthony ‘Gregg’ Pulver |
12387 |
ENY |
| Steven Sebastian |
12390 |
SVT |
| Gary Johnson |
12391 |
EPA |
| Dave Martell |
12402 |
CNY |
| Glenn Becker |
12417 |
GV |
| Annie Smith |
12418 |
CNY |
| Bernadette Fowler |
12424 |
CT |
| Kevin Glassman |
12438 |
SVT |
| Laura Harner |
12437 |
WMA |
|
|
|
Leadership Commendation Appointment
| Lee Burns |
8609 |
ENY |
| Debbie Satterlee |
8611 |
ENY |
Distinguished Service Award
| Linda Boyd |
CT |
| Beverly Dillon |
CT |
| Charles Montrie |
EPA |
| Paul Spear |
EPA |
| Robert Starr |
EPA |
| Doug Van Brunt |
EPA |
| Dave Curry |
GV |
| Dan Fuller |
GV |
| Glenn Gebhard |
GV |
| Steve Hellems |
GV |
| Jen Jesske |
GV |
| Betsy Landre |
GV |
| Gary Marks |
GV |
| Kim Terwilliger |
SNY |
| Roger DelGiorno |
SVT |
| Cal Goldsmith |
SVT |
Meritorious Service Award
| Jay Thompson |
EPA |
| Bill Muir |
ME |
| Jonathan Wilson |
SVT |
Donna McGraw Patroller for Patroller Award
William J. Gross Memorial First Aid Trophy
501c3 Division Director’s Award
Jerry Sherman OS Division Patroller Award
| John Shipman |
EMARI Alumni |
Yellow Merit Stars
| Carl Chaplin |
NH |
| Parker Duthaler |
ENY |
| Grant Fullman |
ENY |
| Bob Fidium |
EPA |
| Roeb Gravel |
EPA |
| Kenneth Kelly |
EPA |
| Christine Ludka |
EPA |
| Dina Manoway |
EPA |
| Jeff Welch |
GV |
| Aaron Damon |
ME |
| John Means |
ME |
| Paul Kelly |
NH |
| Jim Sindt |
NJ Alumni |
| Lewis Berman |
SVT |
| Stuart Buhrendorf |
SVT |
| Jason Corsello |
SVT |
| Robert Hildebrand |
SVT |
| Stephen Truskowski |
SVT |
| Brett Beattie |
WMA |
| Emilie Beattie |
WMA |
| Robert Fielding |
WMA |
| Jason Griffin |
WMA |
| Paul Maloney |
WMA |
| Gerry Pollard |
WMA |
| Bill Welch (2) |
WMA |
| Dave Gossell |
WNY |
| Bill McCasey |
WNY |
Purple Merit Star
| Jay Pesci |
CT |
| Greg Caruso |
ME |
| Ben Defroscia |
ME |
| Conor Doherty |
ME |
| Ghazale Jansheed |
ME |
| Cody Morin |
ME |
| Yarrow Farnsworth |
NH |
| Caden Conry |
WMA |
| Paul Dodds |
WMA |
| Danielle Garavito |
WMA |
| Robert Garriepy |
WMA |
| Finley Hewitt |
WMA |
| Jennifer Lesperance |
WMA |
| Bridget Maloney |
WMA |
| Paul Maloney |
WMA |
| Mark Manton |
WMA |
| Albert Mason |
WMA |
| Melissa Maye |
WMA |
|
|
Blue Merit Star
| Jay Boorjian |
CT |
| Joseph Bolton |
NH |
| Drew Burt |
NH |
| Samantha Kernen |
NH |
| Eric Martens |
NH |
| Jeffrey Randall |
NH |
| Mark Fisher |
SVT |
| Michael Gayda |
SVT |
| Phillip Ruppel |
SVT |
| Eric Scarborough |
SVT |
| Christian Schilling |
SVT |
| Matthew Scott |
SVT |
| Ryan Siemers |
SVT |
| Frank Spinella |
SVT |
| Rick Thomas |
SVT |
| Hailee Belden |
WMA |
| Jack Brinegar |
WMA |
| Harold Green |
WMA |
| Jeff Green |
WMA |
| Jason Griffin |
WMA |
| Robert Ouellette |
WMA |
| Christian Wermuth |
WMA |
Patroller Cross
| Theresa Diamond |
EPA |
| Scott Jackson |
NH |
| Edward Perry |
NH |
| Forrest Abild |
WMA |
Host Cross
| Cianna Ferraro |
CT |
| Nile Pullin |
CT |
Patriot Star
| Matt Carniglia |
ENY |
| Brian Sangster |
ENY |
| Ryan Tiano |
ENY |
| Mark Bartram |
NH |
| Clarence Boutin |
NH |
| Clayton Caddy |
NH |
| Jonathan Demers |
NH |
| Ruslan Denysyk |
NH |
| Raelyn Viti |
NH |
| Jared Thompson |
NVT |
| Lance Johnson |
SVT |
| Becca Drake |
WAPP |
| Christopher Lindburg |
WAPP |
| Lillian Baker |
WMA |
| Andrew DeFabio |
WMA |
| Gina DeFabio |
WMA |
| Keith Hernandez |
WMA |
| William Knowlton |
WMA |
| Mathew Knutson |
WMA |
| William Koch |
WMA |
| Sam Kreitzman |
WMA |
| Liam McCarthy |
WMA |
| Rick McClave |
WMA |
| Everett Newbry |
WMA |
| Alex Stefurak |
WMA |
| Etena Tagie |
WMA |
| Ian Yu |
WMA |
Patroller Achievement Award
| William Boyens |
CT |
| Heidi Downs |
CT |
| Michael Gajdosik |
CT |
| Thomas Kim |
CT |
| Frances MacDonald |
CT |
| David Rodney |
CT |
| Anthony Hayden |
ENY |
| Mackenzie Osypian |
GV |
| Jeremie Sterns |
GV |
Angel Pin
| Carla Buiso |
GV |
| Lisa Flick |
GV |
| Gayle Gebhard |
GV |
| Heidi King |
GV |
| Mike Lincoln |
GV |
| Jill Olsen |
GV |
National Certificate of Appreciation
| Katherine Lynn Fox |
SVT |
| Stratton Mtn Corp & Ski Patrol |
SVT |
| Zach Sheppard |
WMA |
| Phil Stein |
WMA |
| Austin Kloc |
WNY |
| Cynthia Taylor Nagle |
WNY |
Division Certificate of Recognition
| Olivia Dinis |
WMA |
| Brian Rodden |
WMA |
| Josh Ruphrecht |
WMA |
50 Year National Lifetime Service Award
| Marshall Berger |
CT |
| Michael Bonaiuto |
EMARI |
| William Lawton |
EMARI |
| David Galpin |
ENY |
| Sheila Hoover |
ENY |
| Joe Bruno |
EPA |
| Edmund Conaway |
EPA |
| G. Gravel |
EPA |
| Alex Johns |
EPA |
| Mary Joyce Kemper |
EPA |
| Lewis Martin |
EPA |
| Ed Stawski |
EPA |
| Greg Bernhard |
GV |
| Marsha Wait |
GV |
| Thomas Griffin |
ME |
| Paul Higgins |
ME |
| Gregory Schneider |
ME |
| Jeff Friedrichs |
NH |
| Andrew Johnson |
NH |
| Robert Ricker |
NH |
| Sandra Scull |
NJ |
| Patricia Blenk |
SNY |
| Adrienne Dalton |
SNY |
| Rosina Montana |
SNY |
| John Ingham |
SVT |
| Anne Lian |
SVT |
| Bernand Lombardi |
SVT |
| Marit Sorensen |
SVT |
| John Brower |
WMA |
| Sue Delisle |
WMA |
| Steven Draisey |
WMA |
| Jane Nugent |
WMA |
| John Sober |
WMA |
| Laura Tucker |
WMA |
| William Cline |
WAPP |
| Ann Rahn |
WAPP |
| Harry Sweeny |
WAPP |
| Alan Billings |
WNY |
| Kurt Buranich |
WNY |
| Robert Frazier |
WNY |
| Thomas Maroney |
WNY |
| Larry Schottke |
WNY |
