WHO WE ARE: Our volunteer patrol has about 40 members, all registered members of the National Ski Patrol (NSP). We have "real" jobs in other professions during the week, but volunteer as Ski Patrollers on weekends. SolVista also has a small group of paid professional patrollers who work weekdays. 

WHAT WE DO: The most important part of our job is to provide emergency medical treatment. As the only medical staff on site, we are trained to handle all injuries and illnesses at the ski area. We also manage the mountain and promote ski and snowboard safety. Occasionally, we must make first tracks in powder to make sure a run is safe before it can be opened to the public. Our workday starts with a brief meeting at 8:15 am. At 8:30 am, we start opening sweep to check all trails before the lifts open at 9:00 am. After the lifts close at 4:00 pm, we carry out a closing sweep to make sure everyone is safely off the mountain. During the day, we rotate around on the mountain while maintaining some patrollers in position to quickly respond to any needs that arise. 

ABOUT: SolVista (formerly SILVER CREEK) SKI BASIN: SolVista is located on the north side of the divide between the Fraser and Granby valleys, about 20 minutes past Winter Park. It's a small ski resort by Colorado standards, with 1000 vertical feet and about 20 runs. Although SolVista has terrain for all abilities, it is especially well suited to beginning and intermediate skiers and young families. Extensive development is underway, which should transform SolVista into a larger, year-round resort over the next 10 years. 

TO BECOME A MEMBER OF OUR PATROL: 
Pre-requisites - Candidates for our patrol should like to ski or snowboard, should like helping people, and should work and play well with others. Although some patrollers are expert skiers and snowboarders, you don't need to be an expert to join. A medical background is a big plus, but not required if you are willing to learn the necessary skills. 

Training - To become a ski patroller, you must pass the NSP Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) course. This is an extensive medical training course with 80 hours of classroom time including lots of hands-on practice. (Typically two evenings per week for a 3-month period.) The OEC course will be one of the most difficult, interesting, and valuable classes you've ever taken. EMT's and other medical professionals may "challenge" the OEC test without taking the entire course, but still probably need to attend many of the classes to learn skills specific to snowsport injuries and treatment. Once you have passed OEC, you become an "Auxiliary" Patroller. Auxiliaries perform all patrol duties except hauling the toboggans we use to transport injured skiers and snowboarders off the mountain. To become a "full" patroller, you must train for and pass the basic ski and toboggan test. Many people pursue this level of certification during their first season on the patrol, but there is no time limit or requirement to do this. 

Commitment - As a member of our patrol, you will need to commit to work about 12-15 duty days total on the 20 weekends during the ski season. You also must commit a few more days each year for training and other patrol-related activities. As a volunteer organization, we all pitch in to keep our patrol strong and effective. Being a ski patroller takes commitment. If you can't make this commitment, you probably shouldn't join. But if you can make it through the OEC course and the first ski season, you'll benefit for years to come. 

BENEFITS: All patrollers receive a season's SolVista Ski Pass for themselves and members of their immediate family -- free except for a $10 processing fee per pass for dependents. In lieu of season passes for family members, single patrollers can get one complimentary lift pass (comp) for each day worked. In addition, all patrollers get six extra comps. Comps can be given to friends, relatives, bookies, parole officers, or whomever you wish. Patrollers and their families also receive substantial "employee" discounts on lessons, rentals, food, lodging, and most other services available at the ski area. Although our deals change from year to year, we also can get free lift tickets at many other Colorado ski areas.