What it takes to be a ski patroller: Myrkdalen, Big Sky and Whistler Blackcomb

Ever wonder what it takes to be a ski patroller? There are a number of key elements - safety expertise, ski skills, and a helping attitude. These professionals keep resorts open, safe and fun for everyone. This winter, we caught up with ski patrollers from some of the world's best resorts to learn about what it takes. Watch here.

[@maxbarko8717]

Most importantly you have to be from Switzerland to be a ski patroller. Because they are identified by the Swiss flag on their jackets.

[@evanfinch4987]

youre the first to ever make this joke

[@maxbarko8717]

@@evanfinch4987 Can you explain why they are showing the Swiss flag 🇨🇭?

[@yalikejaz8107]

@@maxbarko8717 it's not actually the swiss flag, it's more like a symbol of aid like the red cross symbol

[@maxbarko8717]

@@yalikejaz8107 It is very confusing to Europeans. The Red Cross is actually the inverted Swiss flag and an international protective sign. Why are Northamerican ski patrols and lifeguards using the Swiss flag instead? Makes absolutely no sense and only is a display of ignorance.

[@Internetprolet1312]

@@yalikejaz8107but it’s white?? Not the Red cross. Are they like from the Swiss army?

[@crandallcrute3918]

I patrolled on Blackcomb for 15 years - best job ever!

[@125conman]

What is the average pay like?

[@crandallcrute3918]

@@125conman Well for me it was $0 because I was a volley! LOL - But I think it's around $25 / hour for the paid folks. Best job in the world - but impossible to live in Whistler on that amount of money.

[@chicago2025_official]

@@crandallcrute3918Is it an opt in thing? Are you able to do it on your schedule or is it times you MUST be there? I’ve been looking into registering for a while.

[@derekconstantino7759]

Then you only contributed to making the resort worse. Petition to change ski patrol to the 'no fun police'

[@crandallcrute3918]

@ until you get hurt!

[@BryonLape]

I've been a volunteer patroller for nearly 30 years. It's been quite the ride and I'm not ready to stop.

[@Useryofcsdnx]

You guys are such legit skiers I totally admire you!!

[@humanbeing2420]

At which mountain?

[@iceflower7004]

I’d have liked to hear about what the physical tests are for becoming a patroller. Most of what I heard was the standard corporate “we need to be a team” that allows those corporations to underpay the people who most deserve it.

[@Asiqowoodbbxirbd]

Look it up google is your friend

[@BrokenPaddleAdventures]

One of the best "Jobs" I ever had!!

[@willdroese8219]

can you be a ski patroller as a snowboarder?

[@milovanmilovanov2598]

​@@willdroese8219I am not sure, but my reason why it couldn't be reasonable is because, snowboarding put in you in more of a risky situations, since your feet are binded to the board, and if you fall somewhere like the person who was upside down in the show, could be the end. That's my reasoning

[@evanfinch4987]

@@willdroese8219 yes, absolutely you can

[@Rautordo]

@@willdroese8219Yes, but its very rare to see people use snowboards

[@Reidgraham21]

That is my absolute dream job

[@Marius6096]

i would love that so much... but there is always a language barrier for me, and i'm just starting snowboarding. but it looks like a dream!!!

[@craigbosko2229]

I've never been on Ski Patrol before but I've been in the ski industry for over 20 years,worked at 4 ski Resort and being on Ski Patrol can be alot of fun and more work than you think.Remember YOU HAVE TO WORK IN EVERY KIND OF WEATHER INCLUDING "FREEZING RAIN"(if the mountain is open) Blowing Winds (50-100+mph) and you better hope your uniform is 200% WATERPROOF AND there's cold 🥶🥶🥶 temperatures beyond wildest imagination,the coldest I've ever worked out in was a wind chill of 38 below zero and that's for 2 week's.Steven's Pass (Vail Resorts) Washington State,14 seasons. seasons.

[@Skiingafter50]

I’d like to do this until I decide to retire. I’m a Florida Boy but love love love skiing. I love helping people! That’s what I best at. My Dad was a firefighter, my son’s a nurse. We all have a heart to serve! If someone can suggest a school. I’d appreciate it!

[@MickeyMay-pg5ex]

theres no real school to get on with ski patrol. If you want to try it out I would recommend volunteering as a patrol at your local ski hill to get a grip of things. They'll teach you everything you need to know including fist aid, procedures, toboggan handling and more. If you're looking for something to just start you off get your avy 1 and 2 certification. or wilderness first aid. I would look into your NSP (National Ski Patrol) though first, if you don't want to go that way wilderness first aid is the closest you'll get

[@hawlikd]

Whistler BC, Canada!!!

[@twalsh27]

Tough job. Respect!!

[@mrhmd8308]

What type of skis do you recommend for a ski patroller? On Piste Carving ski or All Mountain skis?

[@zeusyt3589]

Do you have to be a skier in order to be on the Ski patrol or can you be either?

[@humanbeing2420]

You have to be a skier - snowboarders are too reckless and anti-social for the job.

[@nga7365]

⁠@@humanbeing2420don’t listen to this guy.

[@nga7365]

Go see if your mountain allows snowboarders to try out and go for it!!

[@humanbeing2420]

@@nga7365 Don't listen to which guy? The original poster just asked a question.

[@nga7365]

@@humanbeing2420 oh I made a mistake. He shouldn’t listen to you.

[@bjornbuckley]

What are the actual qualifications like certifications?

[@steelfn7554]

Do you know yet?

[@bjornbuckley]

@@steelfn7554 no

[@ffandrewd2986]

I know a few of them just guessing, so some of the qualifications are gonna be: EMR or EMT (depending on where) probably some rope rescue training, cpr certifications, a lot of ski training and knowledge of the slopes too

[@gibs_chaos]

You need to do an AFA (advanced first aid), BLS (basic life support), CPR-C and AED all provided in a course by the CSP. This is for a basic patroller. If you want more advanced rescues like by rope or helicopter, as mentioned in the video, you need additional certifications that I am not familiar with.

[@maximusmiles8435]

They don't do it for the money. That's pretty clear, but they don't make near enough for what they do.

[@RadiBakardzhiev]

Can you be a ski patrol if you snowboard,

[@mathieucouture-mailhot8654]

Totally! But some resorts may only accept skiers, gotta check with your local hill if interested!

[@hellyhansen1877]

@RadiBakardzhiev Yes, we know lots of snowboarders on patrol teams around the world!

[@125conman]

Is it always volunteer?

[@Qixle]

No

[@alexmartel4896]

Whistler paradize!!!!!

[@Reidgraham21]

Been skiing there for five years and I never ever want to stop. Best ski resort ever

[@Cowskiman]

Why is it called erika’s ridge and Erika’s rock?

[@RyanSalm]

Someone named Erika probably died their

[@Cowskiman]

@@RyanSalm yea I found out she was a patroller at big sky and the 1st few years of the new tram she was bombing over by Bavarian Forest and blew herself up. I wanna say 96/97 but Un sure of year

[@cold2d]

where is the snowboard patrol?

[@Smegma_pirate]

Getting high in the parking lot

[@derekconstantino7759]

Most important part of ski patrols job: to ensure that core riders have the least amount of fun as possible. Remember kids, having fun is scary.

[@RT-tn4ry]

And they only make $22 an hour ! RIDICULOUS !!

[@norsekoda5938]

Dynamite, best pow resorts, ride every day doing what they love, and on top of having the fulfillment of saving lives. It's the experience man.

[@chelsear5835]

Yah paying your bills. Paying for your future. Continued training. Keep your experience for yourself. Get paid for your skills. The experience...they tried to tell us that all the time. Now as a top level I make 600 day. Get that experience!!!!

[@RT-tn4ry]

@ Then don't complain and don't go on strike !!!!!

[@dave9668]

Expected to actually learn about the qualifications, certifications, training, etc., instead of all the kumbaya stuff

[@saturatedodin476]

Big sky is so expensive it’s Bull shit.

[@berndherzog4966]

Don't get me wrong, but for me the idea of a policing a slope or mountain just doesn't feel normal or right. I am from Austria, the so called motherland of skiing and we get along very well without any kind of police on the mountain. Of course we have the so called "Bergrettung" or "Mountain Ambulance" and they help and take care when somebody is hurt or lost on the slopes/mountain. But i really don't get your love for a so called "Police" on the slope.

[@kalinhinkov7358]

I was about to say if that was only a US thing, because in Europe as a whole (not only Austria) I have rarely seen someone "guard" the slopes, dare I say never.

[@Odd-Vegan-Singing-TFOL]

Oh, they're absolutely not like police on the mountain! They're more oike people who rescue humans who need to be rescued on the mountain. Like if someone is seriously hurt and or needs help they would be called, and came rescue them/help them. I have never been skiing in Austria, but I have been skiing in the French Alps and thr Swiss Alps, and they have them there too.

[@humanbeing2420]

You misunderstand ski patrol's role. They don't "police" the mountain. Their first responsibility is ensuring safety - by rescuing injured skiers, administering first aid, preventing avalanches, marking hazards and closing unskiable terrain, etc. They will enforce basic resort rules (they might warn you or even take your lift ticket if you ski a closed run, for example) but they generally do not behave like cops or seek opportunities to exercise their authority. Unlike police, they're always friendly and helpful, and they never stand around doing nothing.

[@blakekibler9374]

Ski patrol is by far the easiest job to acquire on the mtn

[@philbill15]

What do you mean they need hours of medical training ski training and evacuation training liftys just need a few hours to know how the lift works

[@Odd-Vegan-Singing-TFOL]

Um no. No.

[@Joozt112]

Fun Police their motto: No fun for you!

[@jeffjensen27]

Hum, I Would Dare Compare Your Job Maybe Close To That Of My Training As A Fire Fighter. A LOT OF SIMILARITES Only Where Yours Is SEASONAL & My Job Is YEAR-ROUND THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER & Fighting Fires + Fighting Fires In The Cold Of Winter With Water Lines Freezing Up.

[@Odd-Vegan-Singing-TFOL]

What are the capital letters for?

[@yobigolemomma]

@@Odd-Vegan-Singing-TFOLbecause he’s a bot

[@Cowskiman]

DEI in ski patrol?