Division News
NSP Board Election Starts Thursday, October 15
This year we have ten very good candidates running for five open positions. Four of those candidates are from the Eastern Division. All four of the Eastern Division candidates are highly qualified. Candidates from other Divisions are also highly qualified. I encourage everyone to do their own research and make selections based on who you feel will best serve the needs of the National Ski Patrol, not just the Eastern Division. Take the time to look at the candidates resumes and bio’s. Reach out to your local leadership, or me, and ask questions. It is your responsibility, as a member, to do your research and cast a vote for the candidates you want to lead your organization.
YAP Summit Scholarship
New Process – New Timeline
Yes, fall has just begun – fall sports, band, pumpkin spice, and refreshers. Who is thinking about March and the Summit?
Now is the time to consider attending the YAP Summit in March 2027, scheduled for Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont, and to apply for a YAP Summit Scholarship.
The YAP Summit Scholarship is made possible by a generous donation from MaryLyn and Greg Boberg of Holimont and Holiday Valley Ski Patrols, respectively, as well as the Eastern Division. The intent of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance to those students/families who show a need for this support.
The scholarship application process will begin on October 15, 2026, and close on January 15, 2027. Note: This is NOT the same timeline for registering for the YAP Summit. The application will be available on PatrollerSchool.org and MUST be completed “online!” It will be handled electronically; no more emailed applications. “Letters of Recommendation” are required and will be submitted separately by the recommending individual.
Division Seeking Bike Program Supervisor
The Eastern Division of the National Ski Patrol is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Bike Program Supervisor. If you are a Bike Patroller, this is an opportunity to advance Bike Patrolling in the Eastern Division and also directly affect the direction of bike patrolling nationally. You don’t need to be a mountain biker to qualify, just someone who wants to help bike patrolling grow.
Please provide a brief resume outlining your ski and/or bike patrol history and accomplishments. Please submit a cover letter that includes your name, NSP ID, and a brief description of your vision for the Bike Program.
Bear Creek EMS Program – Beyond the Backboard
The Bear Creek EMS Program is hosting the following virtual patroller workshop. Please share with your colleagues, EMS professionals, and friends.
Beyond the Backboard – Spinal Cord Injury: From Recognition to Recovery
October 27, 2026, 7:30-9:30 pm EST
Presented by:
Linda Laskowski Jones, MS, APRN, ACNS-BC, CEN, NEA-BC, NREMT, FAWM, FAEN, FAAN
Editor-in-Chief of Nursing, Executive Director of the Appalachian Center for Wilderness Medicine, Blue Mountain Ski Patrol
New Look for Women’s Program
Have you noticed that the Eastern Division Women’s Program has a new look?
Along with our new logo, we also have a new mission statement, both built around creating an inclusive, collaborative environment where women can thrive.
Updated Mission Statement
The Women’s Committee of the National Ski Patrol’s mission is to create an inclusive, collaborative, and innovative environment where all patrollers can thrive within the NSP community and influence the broader industry. We are dedicated to empowering, supporting, and advocating for women and emerging groups in patrolling.
If you follow us on social media, you also may have noticed our NSP Eastern Division Women’s Spotlight Series. In these brief profiles, we showcase the unique skills, stories, and contributions of women across the region. So far, we’ve profiled women including:
Nordic Planning for Winter
The leaves are starting to turn, and refresher season is upon us. Several patrols have already scheduled their OTH refreshers for November, including Nutmeg Nordic, Highpoint Nordic, and Highland Forest. Let me know how the new beta refresher cycle works out with your patrol. So let’s get it done. Check your region’s website calendar to find your local refresher.
Have you started to look for new equipment yet? This is a good time of year to work the pro forms. Don’t wait until Thanksgiving; by then the sales season has started, and the shops are less likely to deal with you.
MTR/Nordic Backcountry/Avy Events
Mark your calendars for the following Avalanche, Mountain Travel and Rescue, and Nordic/Backcountry training events:
Mountain Travel and Rescue
The Connecticut Region will hold an MTR 1 on the weekend of January 9-10, 2027 at Winding Trails in Farmington, CT. Registration information will be on patrollerschool.org.
Nordic Backcountry
The Nordic Backcountry Program will host Nordic Fest the weekend of January 30-31, 2027 at Highland Forest in Fabius, NY. Registration information will be on patrollerschool.org.
Click below to see additional events.
Division Director’s Report – September 2026
One thing is for certain: summer is slowly dying, and we are moving towards my favorite season. Depending on which long-range forecast you follow, we are either going to have an epic El Niño winter or a very wet winter. I’m going to believe that conditions will be great! Last week my local ski shop called to tell me my new skis were in, and now, on to the search for some new boots for this winter!!
As we move into fall, lots of exciting events are happening in the Eastern Division. Local areas are gearing up for their OEC and On the Hill Refreshers. I’m looking forward to getting back together with my home patrollers and catching up on everyone’s summer adventures.
The Eastern Division Board has also been busy during the off-season. In June, we passed the FY 2027 budget. We were able to fund all the programs with small increases to each program’s budget. I’d like to thank the hard work of the finance committee along with the program supervisors/advisors for the work put into the budgeting process. They all certainly know how to stretch their resources. Two highlights are the purchase of a Cascade break-down carbon fiber AKJA four-handle toboggan and no Eastern Division dues increase. The new AKJA toboggan is starting to become the go to toboggan in back country and off-piste rescue. Jay Peak is already integrating them into their toboggan livery. This AKJA will be used for training at Nordic/Backcountry and patroller schools, keep an eye out for it.
John Kane Inducted into NSP Hall of Fame
It was a tremendous honor to announce that John Kane has been inducted into the National Ski Patrol’s Hall of Fame class of 2027 at the Certified Boot Camp at Magic Mountain, VT.
It was a surprise recognition, celebration, and presentation of a very prestigious NSP award. The NSP’s awards and recognition program is the currency that we, as NSP members, must recognize patrollers who go above and beyond, whether it be at the patrol, region, division, or national level.
This award was established to recognize individuals whose association with the NSP has had substantial and lasting positive effects upon multiple regions and divisions or within the national organization
To be considered for this prestigious award one must be a 25-year or more active member of the NSP, have received a National Appointment or Leadership Commendation Appointment, served in a leadership position such as a patrol director/patrol rep, section chief, region director, program director or advisor at the national or division level, served as a National Board member, assistant division director or division director, received a Distinguished Service Award or Meritorious Service Award, served as an active credentialed instructor or IT for 20 years or more, possibly served on a national task force or participated as a co-writer to a national curriculum or even created a pilot program which was later adopted by the national organization
John Kane has checked almost every box of that criteria.
OET – Patroller Schools, Tail Ropes, Steeps & Bumps
The 2026–27 season is shaping up to be an exciting one for OET, with opportunities for patrollers at every level to sharpen their skiing, snowboarding, telemark, and toboggan skills.
We’ll kick off the season in December with our annual Killington OET Meeting, where we’ll prepare our staff to bring this year’s training initiatives back to their home regions. Once again, we’ll be partnering with the PSIA Educational Staff to strengthen our coaching skills. This year, our staff development will focus on the skills and tactics needed for successful tail-rope work—an essential skill for many patrollers and one that presents unique challenges for both patrollers and instructors.
Training Opportunities for Every Patroller
As the season gets underway, look for a full calendar of OET training opportunities across the division designed to meet patrollers where they are and help them take the next step.
Patroller Schools are tentatively scheduled at Saddleback, Bristol, Elk, Killington, and Gore. These two-day events are ideal for new patrollers, developing patrollers and aspiring seniors.
