What ski should I get?

Does anybody know what you have to be able to do to get into the National Snow Ski Patrol?

• Does anybody know what you have to be able to do to get into the National Ski Patrol? And please don't say 'ski' or 'snow board' (that is a given). I am looking for skills you have ...show more

• Answer:

  First you have to be accepted as a candidate at a ski area. Some mountains have try outs. Then once you have a mountain to accept you, in the summer or fall you have to take the Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) course given in different areas. OEC is a course ran under National Ski Patrol. It is similar to an EMT except it deals more with a non-urban setting of emergencies. It is approx. about 100 hours. The next step is as a candidate you go through the ski areas Ski and Toboggan (S+T) course or toboggan handling course. Basic skills of this are good skiing and a stong side slip and wedging ability. Also rope management required for doing the tail rope in a rescue. All that I said is a big time commitment thing. You also pay yearly dues to NSP.