Ski Patrol

JOB DESCRIPTION

Whitefish Mountain Resort/Winter Sports Inc 

Title:                                                       Ski Patrol 1 

Department:                                         Ski Patrol 

Status:                                                    Full Time (FTS) or Part Time (PTS)

FLSA:                                                      Non-Exempt, Hourly

Job Summary: 

                Responsible for performing guest service functions including incident response, providing medical care, and transporting injured guests, assessing, and maintaining trail and boundary ropes and signage, promoting a safe environment for guests and employees, performing chairlift evacuation and technical rescue, and handling explosives related to avalanche mitigation. Most of the duties are performed outdoors in variable alpine winter conditions, often in adverse weather conditions.

Job Relationships: 

• Reports to:  Patrol Manager and Assistant Patrol Manager 
• Employees Supervised:  None

Job Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent; College education or trade education preferred.
• CPR/AED certification at Basic Life Support level.
• Current Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), or comparable/higher medical certification.
• Avalanche I (Rec) certification (AIARE, AAI, AAA) by end of first season. Avalanche I (Rec) or Avalanche II (Rec) preferred. 
• Basic knowledge of Whitefish Mountain Resort and ski resort operations preferred
• Advanced skiing skills – ability to competently ski all types of terrain in all conditions.

Job Specifications:

• Must be able to remain calm and handle a variety of emergency situations (medical incidents, transports, avalanche mitigation and rescue, and lift incidents and evacuations).  
• Must be able to always maintain a professional level of communication with guests and employees in a variety of situations and circumstances.
• Effectively and thoroughly complete incident reports and subsequent reports  
• Ability to operate a snowmobile consistent with WMR Snowmobile Operator training and WMR Snowmobile policy. 
• Ability to transport patients in a rescue toboggan in a variety of terrain and conditions.
• Basic knowledge of how to assist dispatch operations at any time.
• Basic knowledge of chairlift operation, evacuation procedures, and ability to identify abnormalities.
• Basic knowledge of all WMR sweeps, trail closures, and avalanche routes.
• Basic knowledge of ALERT protocols and landing zone procedures.
• Basic knowledge of explosives handling and avalanche mitigation.
• Basic knowledge of high angle rescue and technical hardware.
• Knowledge and ability to proficiently use an avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe for avalanche rescue.

• Per WSI Vehicle Insurance standards: must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license and the ability to be added to WSI’s vehicle insurance policy.

Specific Duties:

Patrol Operations

• Assist with avalanche hazard assessment and mitigation.
• Assessment and closure of terrain and ski runs based on snow conditions.
• Identify and mark hazards or changing conditions.
• Inspect toboggans and components and clear them of ice/rime/snow.
• Perform morning duties which may include inspecting and maintaining rope lines, boundaries, and signage.
• Place Fog balls and other marking bamboo/signage as needed for conditions.

• Check all lifts for abnormalities, appropriate tower pad, condition and adjustment and other conditions that could affect skier safety while riding up.
• Conduct speed control and educate guests who violate the Skier Responsibility Code or are acting in an irresponsible or unsafe manner.

• Know all mountain runs as well as local/patrol names for specific areas. 
• Keep all patrol rooms and patrol stations in a clean, orderly condition.

Incidents

• Patrol is responsible for responding to all incidents/medical emergencies at the ski area and mountain owned facilities.
• Initiate 911/ALERT notification when appropriate based on specific circumstances and applicable protocols.  
• Responsible for thoroughly completing incident reports and information collection.
• Be familiar with all medical equipment used by WMR Ski Patrol. 
• Participate in on-going medical, technical, and procedural training.
• Always maintain a professional demeanor and appearance.

Rescue and Evacuation

• Be familiar with avalanche procedures (explosives, routes, snow conditions, rescue techniques).
• Know and practice with all rescue equipment (sleds, snowmobiles, ropes, climbing/belay gear).
• Know and practice with standard lift evacuation procedures.
• Patrollers must have mountain issued rescue equipment with them while on duty.

Public Relations

• Expected to be neat and clean, wear uniforms.
• Help with skier/rider education, crowd control, and speed control.

• Expected to be courteous and helpful to the skiing/riding public and always present a professional attitude and manner.
• Provide guest information at the Summit as well as other areas on mountain.

Race, Events, and Terrain Park:

• Be familiar with and ready to help with event and race support (stringlines, safety, etc.)
• Basic knowledge of terrain park and event layout and operations

Safety & Wellness:

All team members are expected to continuously be alert and identify, mitigate, or report occupational or public hazards to the appropriate WMR supervisor, manager, or employee.  This will involve, but not be limited to, periodic inspections of work and public areas. Follow up notification will be done to correct the condition or practice at the earliest possible opportunity.

Work Environment:

• Frequently ski with/lift/carry up to 50 pounds of weight, often in awkward positions and variable ski conditions.
• Occasionally lift up to 100 pounds – may require lifting while twisting at torso and bending at knees while wearing ski boots for patient transfers into and out of toboggans/transport devices.
• Skiing is moderate to strenuous and frequent overall in all types of weather and conditions.
• Continuously throughout the shift required to twist, stoop/bend, squat, kneel, grasp with both hands, and ski. 
• Occasionally climb lift towers, stairs, and work above the ground (heights)
• Push or pull amounts of weight 150-200 pounds using a rescue toboggan on a snow surface for up to 30 minutes, sometimes with assistance. 

• Job requires working weekends, holidays, and overtime during peak demand times. 

This job description is to be considered a general outline of the duties and responsibilities and is subject to changes and revisions by Winter Sports, Inc management at any time. Responsibilities are listed as guidelines only and the job is not necessarily limited to these specifications.