Three years ago I started my journey to become a snowboard patroller at White Pass Ski Area, here in Washington. Life put a pause on that journey in November 2020, and I was able to re-start the process in March 2022.
After nearly a year of phased training, I’m now able to wear the red jacket and white cross, representing White Pass and the National Ski Patrol as an official patroller.
The training program started with a ski and ride test, then went into toboggan handling. Over the summer and fall, I completed NSP’s Outdoor Emergency Care course, which honestly prepares candidates for a lifetime of helping others. The final month was learning mountain operations and putting all the training phases together by responding to numerous on-mountain injury scenarios working together with other patrol candidates as a team.
Proud to be a snowboard patroller
When people you train with become your favorite people
Snowboarders in tail rope are the best brakes, I’m told
Some mornings you get towed up to happiness
Early Patrol has it’s benefits
Toboggan training, patient POV
All smiles, pretty much, after finishing up OEC training
‘Haulin’ the Fallen since 1952”
Before all of this training, the only medical understanding I had was (very) basic first aid and CPR… I felt a little helpless, honestly. Now, I am trained as an emergency medical responder and can intervene and make a difference.
After what I went through the last couple years, I’ve realized that I want to make the most of this second chance I’ve been given. Helping others has become my primary objective. Patrolling at White Pass gives me the opportunity to help others every day I’m on duty, get a LOT of turns in, and gain experiences with some of my most favorite people in the world.
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This is one of those things that I would absolutely do, if i was retired/independently wealthy or simply didn’t have to work a desk job. There are many more opportunities to continue training further in our Patrol program, and I’m looking forward to exploring those. Never stop learning.
For now, I’m just stoked that I have the opportunity to do this on a regular (weekly) basis, and am proud of this achievement.
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Surviving, and Thriving 🤘🏼🤘🏼💪🏼
Day 1
