Saddleback Ski Patrol

The Saddleback Ski Patrol is composed of 12 Professional and 35 volunteer patrollers. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the service and safety of all skiers and riders.

As patrollers we are on the mountain each morning to check out trail conditions, hazards and signage necessary to keep skiers and riders safe. Throughout the day we man posts at all levels of the mountain, ready to respond quickly to the location of an accident, injury, or rescue. At the end of the day we sweep to make sure there are no stragglers or injured skiers that need assistance down the mountain. Saddleback has a state of the art First Aid facility, staffed by ski patrol during business hours. We are committed to assessing your injuries and getting you the medical assistance you need.

All patrollers are certified in Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) and CPR and are involved in continuous training throughout the year. Annually we have a two-day course to review our first aid skills and any new updates to the Outdoor Emergency Care system or National Ski Patrol protocols. Additionally, we are trained to evacuate persons from chairlifts.

The Outdoor Emergency Care course is a season long class supplemented with a Ski & Toboggan course to ensure that all patrollers have the appropriate ski skills required to take a patient down the mountain in any conditions. Caring and efficient customer service is important to us and we are happy to help guests with anything they may need or direct them to the right person.

If you are interested in taking the OEC course at Saddleback to become a ski patroller, please contact Jared Emerson or Bob Greene.

Ski Patrol Tip on Hypothermia Prevention

The history of the National Ski Patrol

In March 1938, Roger F. Langley, then president of the National Ski Association, had an industry-changing vision. He was extremely impressed with the organization of the Mt. Mansfield Ski Patrol and asked its founder and leader, Charles Minot “Minnie” Dole, if he would organize a national patrol like the one at Mt. Mansfield. “Minnie” accepted, and the National Ski Patrol was born.

Dole is famous for establishing the 10^th Mountain Division of the US Army during World War II. Many of those who served were responsible for establishing ski areas in the U.S. and growing the sport of skiing in America.