Join The Mt. Bachelor National Ski Patrol

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Thank you for your interest in joining the Mt. Bachelor Ski Patrol in Bend, Oregon. The Ski Patrol is a challenging, but rewarding endeavor. It is a combination of love for the outdoors, skiing, helping others and making long lasting friendships. Listed below are the required steps, as well as the benefits of joining our Patrol.

The National Ski Patrol (NSP) Candidate Program

The first step in becoming a ski patroller is to pass a ski test, the second is to take an "Outdoor Emergency Care" first aid course and lastly, to attend and successfully complete the on-the-hill training during the ski season.

The Ski Test - Alpine and Mountain Safety Patrol Disciplines

The first step to becoming an alpine ski patroller is to pass a ski test during the ski season, no later than mid April. We are looking for skiers, snowboarders or tele-skiers that are stable and confident anywhere on our mountain. This assures us that a candidate has the requisite ski skills necessary to ski any type of terrain found in the Mt. Bachelor ski area. We have a wide variety of terrain, and our conditions change dramatically throughout the year. We don't expect pretty, but we do expect competent.

The ski test will consist of two or more runs. On the first one we go through the basics: Short radius turns, long radius turns, snowplowing, power-slides, herringbones, etc. We will demonstrate each of these skills for you so you know what we are expecting to see. On the second run we will ski moguls, then do some kick-turns in a steep area, followed by some skiing in steep terrain.

Outdoor Emergency Care Course (OEC) - All Patrol Disciplines

The next step is to locate and sign up for a National Ski Patrol OEC course. This course is taught in Bend beginning in August, is approximately 90 hours total, and is normally scheduled for two evenings a week with some additional classes on Saturdays. This course covers the basics of trauma in an outdoor environment, with special emphasis on orthopedic and cold-related injuries (frostbite, hypothermia). OEC is comparable in scope to an EMT-B certification, but with more emphasis on trauma and less on medical emergencies. You can obtain additional information about OEC courses at www.nsp.org.

Do I need OEC if I'm already an EMT-B?

Yes and no. We offer a challenge class for EMTs, so they won't need to take the full OEC class. But experience has taught us that an EMT-B certification may not fully prepare students for the types of first aid skills they are likely to need on the mountain. The EMTs who have taken the OEC class have consistently commented that it was a good refresher and the hands-on aspect of the class was excellent. Please discuss this option with us if you desire to challenge the OEC requirement.

Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) - All Patrol Disciplines

We require CPR for Emergency Care Professionals certification which we teach at numerous times and dates in Bend. If you currently are certified through your workplace, a copy of your current card is required to document your status. To meet NSP requirements, you must recertify your CPR on an annual basis.

Fall Refresher - All Patrol Disciplines

If you have an OEC certification with NSP, in October, you will need to attend Mt. Bachelor's Fall Refresher. This training, which all patrollers must attend on a yearly basis, refreshes patroller's skills such as OEC, chairlift evacuation and hill protocols. This is a two day event, with the OEC refresher occurring on Saturday, and the hill refresher on Sunday.

On-the-Hill Training - Alpine, Nordic and Mountain Safety Patrol Disciplines

Candidate training is held on pre-scheduled weekends during the months from November through April. Training will primarily consist of learning how to handle a loaded/unloaded toboggan and, if you are OEC certified, applying OEC skills in realistic settings (snow covered mountains as opposed to classroom floors). Candidates will also spend time learning where everything is on the hill such as ski runs, closures, sweep assignments, etc. We also encourage Candidates to come up on non-training weekends to shadow patrollers. Candidates can learn a great deal about the Ski Patrol by watching us in action.

Final on-the-hill evaluations (OEC, toboggan handling and ski test) are held monthly. If you pass all three, you will be an Alpine Patroller in the National Ski Patrol, and may wear a Ski Patrol uniform and patrol for the remainder of the ski season.

Ongoing Commitment - All Patrol Disciplines

The National Ski Patrol is a volunteer organization. As such, you will not be paid for your time. However, all your expenses associated with Ski Patrol (OEC textbook, CPR certification, clothing, equipment, meals and lodging) are tax deductible because the NSP is classified as a non-profit (consult your tax professional).

You will be required to Patrol a minimum of 18 weekend days (holidays and Christmas week also count) and attend a CPR and Fall Refresher each year. You will signup for patrol days each trimester, or two month period beginning in November. You are free to choose your weekends. If a conflict occurs during the season, you may swap days with other patrollers to assure the mountain has appropriate patrol coverage.

The best benefit of the Mt. Bachelor Ski Patrol is the friendships and camaraderie you will develop as you patrol with the many exceptional people at Mt. Bachelor.

Alpine and Nordic Ski Patrol

As an Alpine or Nordic Patroller, you will receive a season ski pass at Mt. Bachelor. If you are married, your spouse and children under the age of 18 will also receive ski passes. Candidates ski free, as long as they are in training or shadowing a patroller.

Auxiliary Ski Patrol

We have a limited number of Auxiliary Ski Patrol positions for those who have excellent OEC skills, but do not posses or choose to use the ski skills required of the "on-the-hill" ski patrol. The primary responsibility of Auxiliary Ski Patrol is to staff one of Mt. Bachelor's two first aid rooms in four hour shifts, providing OEC. Auxiliary Ski Patrol receives a season ski pass at Mt. Bachelor. If you are married, your spouse and children under the age of 18 may obtain a pass at 1/2 the lowest season price.

Mountain Safety Associate

We also have a Mountain Safety Associate position for those who have the ski skills required of the "on-the-hill" ski patrol, but do not posses or desire to posses OEC skills. The primary responsibility of the Mountain Safety Associate is to provide all kinds of assistance to ski area guests but they do not do any kind of first aid or rescue. There are skiing proficiency requirements for Mountain Safety Associates. Mountain Safety Associates receive a day ticket at Mt. Bachelor for use during the day that they are working. There are no family pass benefits for the Mountain Safety Associate.

Candidate Coordinator

The Candidate Coordinator is your primary contact with the patrol. He/she will help guide you through the entire candidate process and answer all your questions. The coordinator can be reached by emailing join@mtbachelornsp.org.

Schedule a Ski Test

To schedule a ski test or to ask questions, send an email to the Candidate Coordinator. Generally, early in the season is a very good time to schedule a ski test since we normally have a full compliment of trainers at Mt. Bachelor on those weekends. However, you may choose any weekend up to April to do your ski test.

If you are seriously interested in being a candidate, please send us your name, address, phone numbers, email address and in 50 words or less "Why I want to be a ski patroller".