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 Allan Miller, Alumni Supervisor | Jan 21, 2026 | Division News, Program News
YES, IT WILL HAPPEN AND WE’RE GOING BACK TO STRATTON!
Join us again for the 3rd Patroller and Alumni event. It will be a week of skiing, information, camaraderie and Après Ski. We will again celebrate our shared passion for skiing and patrolling! Be there for as long it is 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.
HERE ARE THE DETAILS SO FAR!
DATES
We are awaiting Stratton’s announcement of the dates. The event will coincide with their “Friends and Family Week,” mid-March, around St Patrick’s Day. Stay tuned for the details.
LODGING
The price needs to be confirmed, but it appears Stratton 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 one or two people per room. We will post a reservation link once the final dates are announced.
LIFT TICKETS
The price has not yet been confirmed, but it appears Stratton is again offering us a great “Friends and Family” rate of $35.00 per day, plus tax valid for the week of the event. Just go to 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 one-day tickets.
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 join us for this unforgettable event. More details will be sent periodically. Come for a day, come for the whole week…JUST COME! We look forward to seeing you there. Stay tuned for more info and updates!
VERY IMPORTANT: Please let us know if you are coming or planning to come. Register on the PatrollerSchool.org website. We will send you information about the event as it unfolds.
by Jacques Townsend, D.O. , Baystate Medical Center | Dec 22, 2025 | Program News, Spotlight Articles
In mountain rescue, the moments between injury and definitive care can determine outcomes. The Regional Mountain Trauma System (RMTS) was founded to strengthen every link in that chain. From the ski slopes to the trauma bay we work to connect ski patrols, EMS providers, and trauma centers through shared communication, education, and feedback.
RMTS grew from the recognition that mountain trauma presents unique challenges. Response often begins miles from the nearest road, in terrain where evacuation is slow and resources are limited. Once a patient reaches the hospital, vital field details can easily be lost. RMTS closes that gap by creating a seamless continuum of care, ensuring that ski patrollers on-scene expertise directly informs hospital treatment—and that trauma center insights return to the mountain.
At the program’s core are monthly multidisciplinary case reviews bringing together ski patrols, EMS crews, and trauma teams. Each session centers on a real incident, whether a high-speed ski collision, a snowmobile rollover, or a mountain bike crash, and asks not just what happened, but how we can improve next time. These discussions generate practical, mountain-specific education that can be immediately applied to all mountains in the region. The sessions are intentionally collaborative and non-punitive, fostering a shared language of care across all levels of the response system.
Perhaps RMTS’s most powerful innovation so far has been the creation of the Mountain Trauma Dashboard. The dashboard represents a centralized data system that tracks the incidents, type, and severity of mountain-related injuries throughout Western Massachusetts. Built through integration with hospital trauma registries at Berkshire Medical Center and Baystate Medical Center, this tool provides near real-time insight into injury patterns originating from participating mountains. It allows both resort patrols and trauma centers to recognize trends in mechanism and outcome, identify clusters of serious incidents, and target education or equipment changes where they are most needed.
A two-part MIST form was designed to be used for medical transport. One copy stays with the patrol, and one goes with the patient/EMS crew, and it is provided to the trauma team doctors, so the patient’s initial assessment is preserved.
By aggregating and analyzing this data across the season, RMTS can provide mountains with evidence-based feedback about patient outcomes long after they’ve left the hill. For example, when the dashboard identifies higher-than-expected rates of chest injuries in the region, RMTS can coordinate a focused case review or training session addressing splinting, pain control, or transport decisions related to those cases. This closed-loop feedback transforms anecdotal experience into actionable information, directly improving safety and response efficiency across the system.
The program’s reach also extends beyond the winter months. As many resorts transition into summer adventure parks, RMTS continues to track warm-weather injuries among mountain bikers, hikers, and climbers. By monitoring data year-round, the system identifies how terrain, weather, and usage patterns influence injury types, helping patrols adapt staffing and safety measures across all seasons.
Each fall, RMTS collaborates with ski patrols during their preseason annual OEC refreshers, sharing the latest clinical insights, updated trauma guidelines, and lessons drawn from dashboard data. Trauma surgeons and EMS educators participate directly in these sessions, reinforcing a culture of continuous learning and pre-season coordination between hospitals and mountains.
The lessons so far are clear: effective mountain trauma care depends on systems, not silos. When patrollers, paramedics, flight crews, and trauma teams share information and understand each other’s realities, outcomes improve. Small changes — like improved communication loops or data-driven insights — translate into faster transport, better triage, and safer recoveries for injured mountain athletes.
As RMTS continues to evolve, its vision remains focused on building a replicable model of integrated mountain medicine. The mountain environment will always be unpredictable, but with shared learning and collaboration, the care we deliver can be consistently strong, coordinated, and ready for whatever the slopes bring next.
If you would like more information about the RMTS program contact Mark Kryskow.
Jacques Townsend, DO, Baystate Medical Center
Seth Bernard, DO, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
Mark Kryskow, DO FACS, Berkshire Medical Center, US ARMY Reserves
Peter Alusitz, Western Massachusetts ROA
Kevin Zorda, Western Massachusetts STC
Bill Welch, Western Massachusetts contributor
by Les Blomberg, Mt. Washington Ski Patrol | Dec 22, 2025 | Division News, Program News, Spotlight Articles
Monty AtwaterThe Eastern Division Roger H. Damon Jr. Avalanche Award was developed and first presented in 2013 in accordance with criteria from NSP’s Montgomery Atwater National Avalanche Award, to recognize Eastern Division’s NSP members, or non-members, who have made outstanding and continuing contributions to the Avalanche Program with significant division impact. Examples of such contributions might fall under management, curriculum development, publication, scientific discovery, instruction, or any combination thereof.
Roger Damon
Roger was the first recipient of this award in 2013 when he then had 67 years of service, including time served at Norwich University, Burke Mountain, and the Mount Washington Ski Patrols. Also, during his time in the military, Roger patrolled at a mountain in Austria where his interest in avalanche safety began. He retired from the Mount Washington Ski Patrol in 2018 at the age of 89, after one last season of hiking up to Tuckerman Ravine, assisting in rescues, and then skiing out the Sherburne Ski Trail at the end of the day.
Other recipients of this prestigious award include:
Brad Ray—2015, for his work as a National Forest Service (NFS) Snow Ranger from 1958 to 2001, writing avalanche advisories, educating the public about avalanche hazards, and conducting countless rescues in Tuckerman Ravine. Brad joined the Mount Washington Ski Patrol when he retired from the NFS in 2021.
Brooke Taber and Conor Lahiff—2016, Burlington, VT-based weather forecasters for the National Weather Service for their contribution to NSP Eastern Division avalanche courses by teaching the weather portion of the Avalanche Triangle.
Chuck Boyd—2024, for his leadership and support of the Eastern Division Avalanche Program over the last 25 years, including serving as the Eastern Division Avalanche Supervisor.
Les Blomberg—2025, for his leadership, mentorship, and dedication to the Eastern Division Avalanche Program over the last 35 years. Les is the go-to member of the Team for Companion and Group Rescue as well as mentoring new instructors. He has produced and copyrighted pocket guides on Companion Rescue for students.
Les and Chuck were recruited by Roger and working side by side with him teaching outdoor education and avalanche fundamentals to both NSP and non-NSP educational venues in the White, Green, and Adirondack Mountains.
Chuck Boyd Roger Damon Les Blomberg
Chuck and Les were able to visit Roger on December 5 to share memories and thank him for all his contributions and for mentoring them as they grew into the avalanche education and division avalanche program leadership. Without Roger we would not have the avalanche program we have today. Wishing Roger all the best!
2013 Trail Sweep article about the Roger Damon Avalanche Award
by Chuck Boyd, Nordic/Backcountry Supervisor | Dec 22, 2025 | Division News, Program News
As I woke up this morning the temperature was 9 degrees with 3 – 4 inches of snow in my yard. What a great way to start this ski season. This is the best start that we have had here in the east for several years, so let’s take advantage of it. I’ve been out skiing on two types of Nordic skis so far, for a total of four times. Waxing skis in the evening has become a ritual, with fellow patrollers coming over to chat and wax their skis.
Congratulations to all the new NSP BOD members. This is the first time that everyone I voted for was elected. Did you vote?
We are working on getting all the online course materials up on the Patroller School website. This is a huge undertaking for the staff to have all this material online five to six weeks before the start of each program. We hope to have most of this material open to the students by Christmas.
Nordic Fest is a go for the weekend of January 31 – February 1, 2026 at Highland Forest in Fabius, NY. This will be a fun time, and I look forward to seeing many of my fellow Nordic patrollers!
Pike Glades Backcountry patroller school is scheduled for the weekend of February 28 – March 1. Hope to see a lot of you skinners there.
Bolton Valley’s Nordic Senior/Master weekend is scheduled for March 21 – 22, 2026. Come out and help us get our Nordic senior and master candidates through their evaluations. Bolton Valley always has great snow conditions and is open already.
All of the above events can be found at Patrollerschool.org.
I’ll let you know next month how the December skiing was. See you out there!
by Rob West, Avalanche Supervisor | Dec 22, 2025 | Program News
Snow is falling and beginning to accumulate in the mountains. Avalanches have already occurred in Tuckerman Ravine, and unfortunately a few people have been caught—thankfully, with no injuries. In bound avalanches have occurred at Eastern Division Resorts of Holiday Valley (WNY) on The Wall and at Wisp (WAPP) on The Face. No injuries in either of these evets as well. With the season underway, now is an excellent time to sign up for an avalanche class.
The Whiteface Level 1 and Level 2 courses are already full. However, the Smugglers’ Notch and Tuckerman Ravine Level 1 classes still have plenty of spots available.
Congratulations to Kevin Burns from the Whiteface Patrol for being awarded the Eastern Division Avalanche Scholarship! Kevin completed the classroom portion of the National Avalanche School in Utah this past October and will be taking his Pro 1 field session this winter. I encourage all avalanche instructors to apply for the scholarship next season to continue their education.
Congratulations to Les Blomberg on receiving the Eastern Division Roger Damon Avalanche Award! Les is a dedicated patroller with more than 30 years of service and an accomplished avalanche instructor. He continues to share his deep expertise by mentoring new students and supporting the next generation of avalanche professionals. This award recognizes not only his long-standing commitment to safety and education, but also the lasting impact he’s had on !the community.
Stay safe out there!
Editor’s Note: There were two avalanches in unlikely places 12/15-16. Use this link for more information.
by Bill Zink, Certified Supervisor | Nov 19, 2025 | Division News, Program News
A lot of activity in the first nine months of the year as we wrapped up the 2024/2025 season welcoming four new Certified Patrollers in the Eastern Division. They are already living up to their number as all are actively engaged in the operations of the NSP Eastern Division Leadership and training programs.
We completed our second program in September with the annual Enhanced Patroller School at Swain Resort in New York. Again, over 60 participants shared their experiences and local expertise at a division event. The fearless leader of the program, Jeff Baker, Certified# 549, was honored as the National Alpine Ski Patroller of the Year for the entire NSP on September 20th. Congratulations, Jeff—you make us proud!
If you are interested in our program, please go to the Eastern Division website to learn more about the Certified program. We have a team of dedicated Region Certified Advisors that are local to your resort and are available to answer questions. We also have two certified members, Denice Kaus, Certified# 833 and Becky Moran-Rubin, Certified #871 that are available to help answer questions and guide you through the process. For more information contact Bill Zink by email or call 703-497-1475.
Below is a list of our program schedule for the 2025/2026 ski season:
• Nov 27, 2025: Registration should open for exams and Patroller School events
• Jan 1, 2026: Candidate credentials due
• Jan 21, 2026: Responses to admitted candidates
• Feb 1, 2026: Hunter Mountain Pretest (pretest referral letter required)
• Feb 6, 2026: Killington Pretest (pretest referral letter required)
• Feb 7–8, 2026: Killington Patroller School, Intro to Certified Program
• Mar 19–22, 2026: Certified Exam, Sugarloaf, Maine
• Mar 22, 2026: Certified Annual Meeting, Sugarloaf, Maine (8–10 AM)
• Mar 18–21, 2027: Tentative Certified Exam, TBD
• Mar 16–20, 2028: 60th Anniversary Certified Exam, Killington, VT
Looking forward to seeing everyone on the slopes this season.
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 Scott Launt, Labrador Mtn., CNY Region | Nov 19, 2025 | Division News, Program News
First, a real human-interest story by Scott Launt, Central New York Alumni Advisor
In 2017, a young patroller named Melanie Harvey signed on with the Labrador Mountain Ski Patrol of the Central New York Region. Over the ensuing several years, she completed OEC and OET, and in 2018, she took courses towards OEC Instructor Trainer, having a background in teaching medical professionals. She was an active alpine patroller for two seasons.
Melanie Harvey
After having her first child, she made the difficult decision to sit on the sidelines. She joined the NSP Alumni in 2020, after her daughter was born. She maintained her OEC refreshers, making up one when her third child was born.
Now, with two additional children and missing the patrol, she decided to make a comeback! While on the sidelines, she stayed in touch with the patrol, making it clear she would eventually return. She was grateful that the patrol included her in patrol communications and alumni outings.
There are several keys to this success story. She kept in touch with the patrol, letting them know her intentions. Communication was key.
There were many moving parts to this story. In the background helping this happen were Mike Cassidy, our OEC Senior leader for the Region; RD Tom Hughes; Labrador Patrollers from her shift; and others.
It takes a Patrol that cares, and a patroller that wants to return to patrolling when life permits it.
Alumni Membership acts as a safety valve, allowing patrollers to handle life’s surprises and stay connected enough to their patrol family to make returning to active patrolling easier.
Questions? Contact your Patrol Alumni Liaison, your region’s Alumni Advisor, or your Eastern Division Alumni Advisor, https://www.nspeast.org/alumni.html.
