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Patrol
A NATIONAL SKI PATROL UPDATE

News on Bike Patrols, Education Programs and the Partnership with Area Management

BY MEEGAN MOSZYNSKI, NSP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SHEILA SUMMERS, NSP EDUCATION DIRECTOR

FOR MANY DECADES the National Ski Patrol and NSAA have
collaborated to keep the slopes safe, enjoyable, and accessible
for everyone. Through tremendous change in the industry
over the years, that partnership has anchored much of what
transpires on any given day—and at any time of year—
at a ski area.
That is why it is so important that ski area owners and
operators stay informed about what is happening with the
NSP. Here we provide a brief summary of notable changes in
membership categories and education, along with some com-
ments on what isn’t changing.

Investing In Your Patrols
In support of the crucial relationship between area manage-
ment and ski patrols, NSP provides education and training Courtesy of National Ski Patrol
for patrollers, but our national organization does not manage
individual patrollers or patrol units (just as PSIA-AASI does
not manage individual instructors or ski schools). That duty
lies with you, the area owner/operator. NSP recognizes and determines the appropriate standard of care, NSP provides
respects that important distinction, and strongly encourages the standard of training, and patrollers carry out that training
its patrols to establish a dynamic that fosters collaborative while caring for injured guests. Area management sets the
and transparent communication with you. protocols for lift evacuations, but patrol often performs those
duties. The area manages (supervises and controls) their
patrols and ultimately determines the duties that their patrols
Patrollers are there to ensure will execute.

that all guests are safely enjoying Bike Patrols

their time at your area. As more and more ski areas operate year-round and offer
various summer activities, the NSP is here to continue
supporting lift-accessed areas as well as additional land
management units. In response to the evolving outdoor
Both management and patrol should understand the recreation industry, the NSP now offers membership cate-
structure between the entities, which is clearly laid out in gories for bike patrols and bike host members, and recently
Joint Statement of Understanding between NSAA and NSP. reached an agreement with the International Mountain
Maintaining this dynamic will only benefit your area because Biking Association (IMBA) to assume their patrollers into
patrollers are engaged in so many aspects of customer care, NSP’s framework. NSP bike patrollers and bike hosts
from opening and closing your mountain to answering ques- operate in lift-accessed areas, as well as urban parks and
tions and helping injured guests. Patrollers are there to live out open space cycling.
NSP’s creed of “service and safety,” and they want to ensure Whether you operate trail systems at a ski area or at
that all guests are safely enjoying their time at your area. a non-lift-accessed area, there are a variety of things to
The working relationship between area management and consider when establishing a bike patrol or host unit.
patrol constantly comes into play. While area management It is important that the patrol and area management work

60 | NSAA JOURNAL | FALL 2018