Happy New Year!
2019 was a tremendous year for National Ski Patrol. Not only did we serve 31,000 members in 17 countries on 4 continents, we continued to uphold the gold-standard of mountain safety and training in outdoor first responder and emergency training. Highlights include: Fundraising over $3,000 on #GivingTuesday to be passed to 16 local patrols across the U.S. NSP avalanche [...]
Avalanche Beacon Precautions
Avalanche beacons are specialized radio transceivers operating on the frequency 457 kHz. Because they use radio frequencies, they are subject to problems caused by interference. Interference can be caused by many factors, some of which are under your control, others are not. Your radio, cell phone, GPS device, smartwatch, and even the foil-lined energy bar wrapper in the buried party's [...]
The Perfect Race
By Christine Wodke, NSP-Subaru Ambassador, @run4cmt As physically challenged athlete I know what it’s like to run a perfect race. They don’t happen often, but I had one at the Age Group National Sprint Triathlon in Milwaukee on a warm August day in 2012. It wasn’t because I was fast --because I’m not -- or that I won any [...]
Are you grateful for your patrol? For ski patrolling? Remember NSP on #GivingTuesday!
Remember NSP and local ski patrols with a Facebook Fundraiser for #GivingTuesday!
Patrolling – It’s all in the family
By Jay Galeota, Mountian Creek Patrol, New Jersey When I started patrolling 30 years ago this season I remember thinking that someday I would be older and a dad and maybe, just maybe, my kids would want to be patrollers too. Well the years pass faster than any of us know when we are young and those thoughts from [...]
NSP & Subaru; 25 Years of Partnership
This upcoming year marks 25 years of partnership for Subaru of America and the National Ski Patrol. Together we share the core values of safety, service, and embracing being outside. Through this partnership, Subaru has generously provided NSP with several branded cars for NSP patrollers and leaders around the country. Today’s NSP Subaru Ambassadors are patrollers with interesting and [...]
Wilderness, Skiing, & Fire
By Nick Harper-Johnston, NSP-Subaru Ambassador What's something that the vast majority of Western ski areas have in common? That YOU, the skier, own the actual land you are skiing on. It's no secret that the US Forest Service and skiing have always gone hand in hand, and that the folks attracted to the woods like to recreate in wild [...]
Land of the Midnight Sun
By Cody Burns, NSP-Subaru Ambassador Life as a patroller during the summer months in Alaska is as unique as the wildlife, weather, and daylight. In the land of the midnight sun, there is a seemingly endless amount of time for fun and recreational activities. We started our summer program here at Alyeska Resort eight years ago in 2011, which [...]
2020 Membership Dues
By Bill Finley, NSP Finance and Operations Director At NSP, our vision calls us to be the premier provider of outdoor rescue education, increase recruitment and retention, expand our reach into other sports and events, be financially self-sustaining, and provide all members with successful patrolling experiences. With this backdrop, in April the NSP board of directors approved a dues alignment [...]
Charles Minot “Mint” Dole, Jr.
Charles Minot "Mint" Dole died on Friday, July 19 at his home in Essex, Conn. He was 85. Mint Dole was the son of Charles Minot "Minne" Dole, who is credited as the founder of the National Ski Patrol. Mint had an illustrious career in his own right, as an industrial designer and inventor. Our thoughts go out to the [...]
The New Safe Sport Law
By Dave Byrd, NSAA Director of Risk and Regulatory Affairs This article was initially published in Ski Patrol Magazine, a publication that is a benefit for members of the National Ski Patrol. To learn more about membership, click here. The Safe Sport Act recently passed by Congress is requiring big changes in protocols for the entire spectrum of youth amateur [...]
Family
By Sarah Chapelle, NSP-Subaru Ambassador Family. We are all born into one, but we also acquire many more throughout life. Whether a church family, work family, or sports family, each makes us feel whole in different ways. The National Ski Patrol family is no exception. Two years ago, my husband and I packed our bags and moved away from [...]
Bring on the PARADE
By Jay Zedak, NSP-Subaru Ambassador and NSP Board Member Every Memorial Day for many years, I have attended the parade in Hudson, Ohio (population 25,000). When I was a child, I decorated and rode my bike (banana seat of course). As an adult, I proudly drove the fire engine or heavy rescue truck as a Lieutenant with the Hudson [...]
When the Patroller Becomes the Patient
A flipped perspective on patient care on the hill By Chris Huskinson On closing day of the ski season, I broke my leg. It happened from a missed edge on a run I've cruised many times, not just from doing something dumb or trying to show off. I ended my season with surgery and months of recovery. Go figure. I [...]
Legends of the Fall
By Nicholas Harper-Johnston, NSP-Subaru Ambassador It is 4 am. The frost inside my sleeping bag wakes me up from a restless sleep. All I hear are the sounds of the wind whipping on my tent fly. I try to fall back asleep but it’s pointless. Eventually, it is time to wake up. They give us five minutes to pack [...]