In the Fall of 2009, I joined the Willamette Pass Ski Patrol , which is part of the National Ski Patrol (NSP) system. Willamette Pass, a small ski area of approximately 555 acres located about an hour’s drive southeast of Eugene, OR, is my home mountain. Though small, “The Pass” has some of the steepest, most challenging terrain and best tree riding in Oregon. Like many small ski areas, the ski patrol is made up of members who volunteer their time and provide their own supplies so that medical assistance is available to anyone on the hill who needs it.
Volunteering on ski patrol is both challenging and rewarding. One of the many benefits is the education you receive and new skills learned in order to become a competent patroller. First and foremost, good medical skills are necessary to assist with any injured skier or rider, and passage of the Outdoor Emergency Care class is mandatory prior to being allowed on patrol, along with completion of an annual refresher to ensure skills are ready for the upcoming season.
Additional training in the fields of Avalanche, Mountain Travel & Rescue, Search and Rescue, and Sled and Toboggan handling are also required.
Below are some links to various days patrolling or practicing some aspect of training associated with patrol (sled training, lift evacuation, etc.)
- April 10, 2021 – Covid-19 Season Closing Weekend
- March 27, 2021 – Shaun’s First Taste of Patrol
- March 6, 2021 – A Little Bit of Everything
- February 13, 2021 – A Day of Avalanches and Incidents
- January 31, 2021 – A Better Day Than Forecast
- January 2, 2021 – A Little Saw Work and Some Turns
- December 12, 2020 – 2020 Season Opener
- October 18, 2020 – Saw work at the Pass
- January 19, 2020 – Sled Work with the New Edge Sled
- January 11, 2020 – First Patrol Day of 2020
- December 29, 2019 – Last Patrol Day of the Decade
- November 9 & 17, 2019 – Cleanup and Cutting
- March 16, 2019 – Springtime at the Pass
- January 12, 2019 – Sun, Sleds and Afternoon Corn
- December 22, 2018 – Full Mountain Opening
- December 8, 2018 – Opening Weekend
- October 21 & 27 & November 18, 2018 – Cutting on RTS
- November 18, 2017 – Patrol Room Cleanup
- November 12, 2017 – On-hill Refresher
- April 1, 2017 – 80’s Day
- February 25, 2017 – Patrol 1 Pow
- February 4-5, 2017 – Level 1 Avy Class
- December 17, 2016 – Peak 2 Opener
- December 4, 2016 – Opening Weekend
- January 16, 18 & 24, 2016 – January Days
- December 26, 2015 – Patrol 2 Opener
- January 3, 2015 – Opening Day 2015
- March 15 & 23, 2014 – The Hunt for Corn
- March 2, 2014 – Rain & the RTS Belay
- February 22, 2014 – Sun & Fun at the Pass
- February 1, 2014 – Eeking out a few turns
- June 1, 2013 – Nuts and Bolts Clinic, Timberline
- March 23, 2013 – Late Season Pow!
- February 9, 2013 – Oregon Region Women’s S&T Clinic
- January 6, 2013 – Sunshine & Sled Training
- December 16-22, 2012 – Opening Week at the Pass
- March 18, 2012 – Turns and Training
- February 5, 2012 – Super (Bowl) Sunday
- January 15, 2012 – Cold Smoke
- January 7, 2012 – Opening Day at the Pass!
- December 4, 2011 – Chairlift Evacuation Practice
- April 17, 2011 – Last day of the Season
- March 27, 2011 – Best Powder of the Season
- March 19, 2011 – Search & Rescue Practice
- March 6, 2011 – A little sled training with the 350
- February 26, 2011 – Super Cold & Fresh
- January 23, 2011 – Sunshine and Sleds
- January 2, 2011 – 1st Patrol Day of 2011
- December 25, 2010 – Christmas Day Patrolling
- March 2010 – RTS Sled Belay Practice
