A Patrollers Day
A Patrol day begins with 7:45am sign-on, then up the mountain at 8am, before the lifts open to the public. All rescue equipment and ski areas are checked, ensuring all the appropriate signs, fences and ropes are in place to warn skiers of hazards. Sometimes, due to weather, snow conditions and other factors, certain areas become too hazardous to ski and consequently the patrol will close them.
All runs, fences and equipment are regularly checked throughout the day as skiing activity and changing weather can affect the conditions of the slopes. Patrollers are always observing and rectifying hazardous situations on the slopes.
We are out on the hill everyday of the season, regardless of weather. We love snowy and sunny days, but we are also out even if it is raining hard (we call this liquid sunshine) and you are in your lodge, keeping warm and dry. On white out days we are out there ensuring you are not lost, and sweeping the mountain at last light to ensure you are home safe.
Provision of first aid and transportation of injured skiers to the Medical Centre is the highest priority. There are always patrollers positioned on the mountain to quickly respond to these needs. In addition to these activities patrollers are often involved in areas of training, replacement and maintenance of rescue equipment, planning and public relations.
At the end of each day, patrollers ride the last lifts and make a final check (“sweep”) of each run to ensure that no skiers remain on the mountain, and to assist tired skiers on their last run home. During this closing sweep of the mountain, any changes or anomalies are noted for investigation the next morning.
