by Trail Sweep Staff | Jun 24, 2024 | Division News, In Memoriam, Spotlight Articles
Florence ‘Floss’ KirknerFlorence A. Kirkner of Orchard Park, NY, passed away on May 1, 2024, at the age of 99. We all knew her as an inveterate volunteer, not just for NSP but on multiple levels as is shown by the awards she received from numerous organizations.
Floss joined the ski patrol in 1949 in the Far West Division where she served for 10 years. She was the co-patrol leader at Donner Ski Ranch, Soda Springs, CA from 1956-1960 and served as the first aid chair in the North Bay Region from 1950-1960. She was one of the first women in the NSP to take Monty Atwater’s Avalanche Patch course earning Patch #82. She felt the information contained in the Atwater Avalanche Patch course was so important that she began to teach other patrollers the basics of avalanche rescue at fall freshers.
She was a schoolteacher with curriculum development skills and along with other Atwater trained patrollers, began the development of a basic avalanche course to extend to all NSP patrollers. The basic course would become the NSP Circle A course and would be a steppingstone to the Atwater Avalanche Patch course which was more advanced and dangerous.
In around 1964 Floss took the Avalanche Instructor Course becoming National Avalanche Instructor #224. Having moved east she immediately became the Western New York Avalanche Advisor. For the next 36 years she maintained her certification teaching Circle A, Basic Avalanche, and Level 1 Avalanche. From 1999 through 2005 she was an Avalanche Instructor Trainer.
Floss tirelessly planned and conducted courses on ski slopes in New York State and on the Lake Erie sand dunes in Canada. Her innovation in using the dunes allowed courses to be taught at all times of year. The dunes proved remarkably well suited for probe lines and burial of simulated victims. She incorporated into her courses, dramatic films of various avalanche types, pre-course assignments, written training materials, and homework assignments. Probe lines were an integral part of her courses. In later years, she added transceiver work. Floss always included an optional overnight camping component for added learning and camaraderie among the patrollers taking the course who came from various patrols. Not only did this create a unity among the patrollers from the various ski areas but also a standardization of skills, such that these avalanche-trained patrollers could be called on to help if needed anywhere in a region or a division.
From 1976 through 1987, Florence Kirkner became involved with at the time a program called “Junior Patroller,” the program, now known as the “Young Alpine Patroller.” She understood that the future of the NSP was in recruitment of new members. A great source of new members could be found in the children of current members. The children would have most likely been at the ski area when their parent or parents were on duty, so why not create a program for these young people. As a schoolteacher it was only natural for her to get involved. She taught and helped develop 11 Division “Junior Seminars” and five National “Junior Seminars’ during her 11 years involved with the program.
Floss was very involved with her Town of Orchard Park, its YMCA, Girl Scouts of America, and the American Red Cross. She received a special award from the Canadian Ski Patrol, a Girl Scout Green Angel Award, a Volunteer of the Year from the YMCA, and a Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year from Orchard Park, NY.
Floss was the recipient of numerous awards from NSP including National Appointment #84, Distinguished Service and Meritorious Service Awards, three Yellow Merit Stars, a Purple Merit Star, and an Orange Merit Star for training military personnel. She was inducted into the NSP Hall of Fame and received proclamations from President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, United States Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, Congressman Langworth, and NYS Governor Kathy Hochul.
Floss was the beloved wife of the late Bruce F. Kirkner; dearest mother of Nancy L. Kirkner and the late Robin D. Kirkner; grandmother of Jessica (Jeff) Meadors, Jacob (Jamie) Hill, Sara (James) McCarty, and Traci (Ty) Douthirt; great-grandmother of 16 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service was held Saturday, May 11 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Orchard Park, NY. Memorials may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 6595 East Quaker St., Orchard Park, NY 14127 or to Kissing Bridge Ski Patrol, Rte. 240, Glenwood, NY 14069.
by Allan Miller, Alumni Supervisor | Mar 24, 2024 | Division News, Spotlight Articles
The First Ever Celebration Patroller and Alumni Celebration was held from February 11-16, 2024. A total of 32 people attended the event including active patrollers, alumni, partners, and family. Many who participated for more than one day stayed at the Grand Summit Hotel slopeside. Some participated for a day and others commuted. Mount Snow’s central location because of its central location. We had attendees from throughout the division.
We got the opportunity to tour the Summit Patrol station and meet some of the on-duty patrollers. On Monday we got together after dinner a
t the American Flatbread with a group of their patrollers and got to see their contributions of patrol equipment they have used to help decorate the restaurant including a very early transport sled.
The event was fortunate to have three special events, two planned and one last moment. On Tuesday evening, Scott Launt, a dedicated patroller who has been working with the 10th Mountain Division team talked about the growing relationship between our organizations and how NSP’s expertise in winter skills is helping the army build their skills.
Division Safety Supervisor Kathy Fitzpatrick and members of her team and the Critical Incident Stress Team led by Melinda Mingus joined us on Tuesday afternoon for discussion with both the general sliding public and our participants on Mountain Safety and Incident Stress Management.
Thanks to our CNY Alumni Advisor Scott Launt we had the new National Board Chair, Richard Pietrafesa, join us for dinner. Wendy Aarnio, a 
recent national board member, also joined us. We took the opportunity to have a conversation with them about the latest news from the national office. Getting more insight into headquarters operations was very well received and appreciated by all.
The weather treated us to four very good days on the snow with all areas open on the mountain. We received great service from all the Vail Corp people including the hotel staff, the restaurant team, and all the people on the mountain. We all agreed the event was a great start to what will now be an annual event in the division.
Many thanks to Alumnus Doug Reddy from Tussey Mountain in the Western Appalachia Region who is now on the Mt. Snow School Staff, for the incredible help making this event happen and to all the Division Alumni Advisors who added their thoughts and suggestions to make the week a success.
by Tom Hughes, CNY RD | Mar 24, 2024 | Division News, Spotlight Articles
National Chair Richard Pietrafesa (red sweater) and Executive Direxctor Stephanie Cox talking with CNY members
The CNY Region held a “Meet and Greet” at Song Mountain on February 8, 2024, with NSP CEO Stephanie Cox and National Chair Richard Pietrafesa. Overall, Stephanie and Rich have a positive outlook about the past and future of NSP but also know we face the constant challenges of recruitment of new, and the retention of, patrollers. Stephanie spent well over three hours talking to our members about their current take on the direction we’re heading. She had one-on-one time with local members and discussed in detail what their thoughts and concerns are regarding this new route. Everyone in attendance at the meeting was impressed with Stephanie’s poise and clarity of vision for the National Ski Patrol.
During this meeting the CNY Region had a prime opportunity to recognize Dave Malone, a 50-year hero! Stephanie had the honor of presenting Dave his Eastern Division 50-year pin. A huge congratulations and thank you to Dave for his service and dedication as the legal advisor to the CNY Region for the last 40 years. Thank you to Rich and Tom Hughes for the coordination and great success of this event.
The following day Stephanie and Rich proceeded to Watertown, New York to meet with the 10th Mountain Division. Included were DD Cal Goldsmith and Division Historian John Beach along with First Sergeant Dan Fields (Light Fighter School 1SG and Watertown Ski Patroller) and Dave Martel (10th Mountain LNO and Watertown Ski Patrol Director). They had an office call with 10th Mountain Division’s top leaders Brigadier General Matt Braman (Deputy Commanding General, Support) and Command Sergeant Major Nema Mobar discussing the continued relationship and ongoing training between NSP and the 10th Mountain.
The culminating training event will be held in Colorado between 10th Mountain soldiers, the Colorado National Guard, and Eastern and Rocky Mountain Division patrollers. As part of 10th Mountain’s Legacy Day they will ski from Camp Hale to Vail Mountain. CNY patrollers have been critical in assisting the soldiers to be ready for this challenge.
by Allan Miller, Alumni Supervisor | Jan 14, 2024 | Division News
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.
by Allan Miller, Alumni Supervisor | Jan 14, 2024 | Region News
Nearly every region conducts at least one alumni day each season. These include a free or reduced price lift ticket, skiing or riding together and some kind of social time like a lunch or post skiing refreshments. Below is the latest list of the region Alumni events scheduled for the 2024 season. Please register for the event before you attend. Contact your region Alumni advisor for more information about an event in your region. See the article “What Every Patroller Needs to Know About Alumni” to find the contact information for your region Alumni advisor.
Genesee Valley Region
Friday January 26, 2024
Hunt Hollow Ski Club
Information and Sign up
Eastern NY Region
Saturday, January 28, 2024
Royal Mountain
Contact: Dan Crandall
Connecticut Region
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Ski Sundown
Contact: Bob Cassello
Western Mass Region
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Ski Butternut
Contact: Ann Migliaccio
Are circumstances causing you to take a break from patrolling?
Contact your Region Alumni Advisor and learn the alternatives you have to maintain your OEC certification and return to active patrolling.
by Allan Miller, Alumni Supervisor | Dec 10, 2023 | Division News
Occasionally, life and circumstances get in the way of the things we love to do. When this happens, you have those who can provide information to help you stay connected to patrolling and make decisions that leave you options for returning to patrolling when appropriate.
Every region in the division has an Alumni Advisor who can help you. Contact them to start a conversation, or contact me, Allan Miller, Eastern Division’s Alumni Advisor, and we will guide you. Our goal is to help all NSP members stay patrolling or get back into patrolling without losing the certifications earned over the years.
