Ski Patrol

Wilmot Mountain Ski Patrol

Candidate Recruitment Program

 

Background:

Thank you for your interest in joining the Wilmot Mountain Ski Patrol.

Our patrollers are members of the National Ski Patrol and serve Wilmot Mountain throughout the season, seven days a week in 17 duty shifts.

Shift hours are:

Day-time:

  • Weekday duty shifts cover Monday-Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (9 am – 6 pm during holiday shifts)
  • Weekend Shifts duty shifts cover Saturday-Sunday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

Evening:

  • Weeknight shifts cover Monday-Friday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
  • Weekend night duty shifts cover Saturday 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm and Sunday 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

The Wilmot Ski Patrol has twice been awarded the National Outstanding Ski Patrol by the National Ski Patrol and many of our members currently hold and have held positions of leadership at all levels within the NSP organization. Because we continue to strive for a high degree of excellence in all of our patrollers, we are selective about the candidates we choose to join our Patrol.

Candidate Application Process:

In order to be considered for our patroller candidate program, interested individuals must submit a completed application.

Once a completed application is received, interested candidates will be asked to participate in a try-out and an interview at Wilmot Mountain.  During this time Wilmot Patrollers will discuss our operations, training programs, and answer any questions you may have about the patrol. During the try-out you will be asked to demonstrate your skiing/snowboarding ability.

Candidate Program Overview – Getting Started, Year One:

Recruiting for the 2020-2021 season is now complete.  All applications received after February 9 will be saved for follow-up after the start of the next season.  All individuals who are accepted into the program will begin serving in the Mountain Host program at the start of the season.  All first-year Mountain Host candidates must complete the following three program elements prior to actively participating as a Mountain Host candidate when Wilmot Mountain operations commence on or around December 1:

  • Complete CPR/AED course (basic level at least). Examples: the American Heart Association (AHA) Heartsaver/AED course; the American Red Cross CPR/AED lay person course – this must be completed prior to participation in the Outdoor First Care course.
  • Register for and complete the Outdoor First Care (OFC) online program with a written 25 question evaluation – this must be completed prior to the hands-on day;
  • Complete an OFC practical “hands-on day” & evaluation using training scenarios provided for hands-on practice;

An Outdoor First Care program is a First Aid course that provides basic, introductory first aid.  The course will be scheduled and taught by one of our Wilmot Patrol instructors.

During the first season, Mountain Host candidates begin their hill training (Ski/Board skills and Toboggan handling).   If conditions permit, a Mountain Host may be eligible to take the patroller hill test at the end of their first season.

Basic Patroller Program Overview – Year Two Options

Once you have completed your first year of candidacy with our patrol as a Mountain Host, you may be invited to continue in one of two pathways based on your on-hill ski/board skills and level of interest in continuing education and training.  You may choose to continue as a Mountain Host for a second season, or you may be encouraged to continue to the next level of the program and prepare to become an Alpine Ski Patroller.

Alpine Patroller candidates must complete a hill and toboggan test as well as a more intensive education course — Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) — that is designed for first responders.  In addition to the OEC course, Alpine Patrol candidates must also complete a higher level of CPR/AED certification designed for healthcare providers.  Both the OEC course and the healthcare provider CPR/AED courses must be completed prior to the start of the candidate’s first season as an Alpine Patroller candidate.

Complete information regarding these requirements — as well as other details, such as payment of dues, class fees, books, etc. — will be provided upon notification of your acceptance into the patrol program.

Mountain Hosts who demonstrate the necessary ski/board skills and are interested in becoming Alpine Patrollers will complete hill and toboggan training in their second season if necessary.  Once a candidate has successfully completed the OEC, CPR and hill/toboggan training, they will become a “red coat” Alpine Patroller.

For more information about joining the Wilmot Ski Patrol program please contact:

John Valentine or Christopher Morris, Wilmot Recruiting Advisor.

Requirements:

  • You must be at least 16 years of age by the start of your candidate season for the Mountain Host program (typically October 1)

Time Commitment:

Year 1: Mountain Host Candidate:

  • CPR: Basic CPR/AED course (one evening in year 1; refreshed every 3 years) – To be taken before the OFC hands-on day. CPR refresher (approximately 3 hours) to be completed before the start of the following season.
  • Outdoor First Care (OFC): Complete on-line course work with passing grade and pass a 1-day (approximately 5 hours), hands-on practical scenario evaluation
  • Hill Training: one night a week on (typically Tuesday) December through the end of the season (usually early March).  Additional evenings may be scheduled due to inclement weather or insufficient snow
  • Duty Shift: 1 shift /week. You will be assigned a duty shift during your first season as a Mountain Host. All attempts will be made to accommodate your schedule however you will be encouraged to “host” on a Saturday or Sunday shift to gain maximum exposure to patrolling.

Year 2: Alpine Patroller Candidate

  • OEC (Outdoor Emergency Care): 1 night a week for approximately 12 weeks. Annual OEC refresher (8 hours) to be completed before the start of subsequent seasons NOTE: OEC refreshers are conducted by the NSP division/region at scheduled dates/times.
  • CPR: Professional Rescuer (one to two evenings in year 1) – To be taken before the OEC class starts. 2nd year CPR refresher (3 hours) to be taken before the start of your second season.
  • Hill Training: one night a week (typically Tuesdays) from December through January. Additional evenings may be scheduled due to inclement weather or insufficient snow. The on-hill training for patroller candidates may take place over two seasons; Year 1 as a Mountain Host concluding Year 2 as an Alpine Patroller.  This will include ski improvement and initial toboggan handling in the first season and may/may not require completed toboggan training with an on-hill testing during the second season.
  • Duty Shift: 1 shift /week. You will be assigned a duty shift during your second season as Patroller and expected to complete a minimum of 80 volunteer hours. All attempts will be made to accommodate your schedule.

Annually:

  • Annual Refreshers for Wilmot Patrollers
    • CPR (Professional Rescuer): one 3-4 hour session
    • OEC Refresher: one 8 hour session
    • On-Hill Chair Evacuation: one 1-2 hour session
  • Duty Day: 1 shift / week. Your duty shift will be assigned but all attempts will be made to accommodate your schedule.
  • Hours:80-hour minimum. Your first full season after passing the on-hill evaluation is probationary.
  • Electives: Optional Education programs to improve your first-aid and skiing skills as a patroller.

Monetary Commitment (Subject to change):

Candidate Season:

  • Class Fees: $60.00
  • Books: $25.00 – $86.00
  • Annual Dues: $101.00
  • Miscellaneous Supplies: $55.00

Annually:

  • Dues: $101.00 (National: $60.00; Central Division: $13.00; Southern Region: $20.00; Wilmot: $8.00).

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