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international patrollers, the cultural expe-
rience of patrolling in the US for a win-
ter also allows them to enhance their skills Courtesy of Keystone Ski Patrol
both on and off the mountain. Also, all
NATIONAL J-1 specialists sponsored by the NSP are
eligible to obtain separate J-2 visas for
SKI PATROL’S their family members accompanying them

abroad, a key incentive when trying to
INTERNATIONAL invite over an experienced ski patroller.
The J-1 visa specialist program for
international ski patrollers allows them
EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM legal authorization to work in the US
for up to one year, which could extend
to employment in the summer season
as mountain bike patrollers at US ski
resorts. Another great feature of this par-
ticular foreign worker visa is that it allows
foreign patrollers to bring their spouses
(not domestic partners or boyfriends/girl- Evin McNeill (left), a patroller at Keystone Resort, Colo., with visiting patroller Tim Sinclair of Queenstown, New Zealand.
friends) and their families with them as
well, although it does not provide work authorizations for Basin, Aspen, Copper Mountain, Crested Butte, Keystone,
spouses. This helpful incentive allows entire families to join Snowmass, Steamboat, Telluride, and Vail in Colorado;
foreign patrollers to visit the US. Jackson Hole, Wyo.; Snowbird and Snowbasin, Utah; and
Historically, NSP’s Exchange Visitor Program has been Squaw Valley, Calif.
led by Robert Black, an NSP Alumni member. Black was There are limited costs to the program, including an
one of the original founders of the EVP back in 1994 at Vail administrative fee that NSP pays to the State Department;
Mountain Ski Resort. When asked about his incentive for each resort and exchange patroller allocate these fees individ-
The Best Patrolling Practices Sometimes Transcend Borders starting the program, he stated, “It was a great opportunity ually. Travel costs are determined individually by the resorts

BY MEEGAN MOSZYNSKI, NSP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CHARLES BUCKMAN, NSP REGISTRATION MANAGER for experienced patrollers to extend their knowledge to other using the program, having either the foreign patroller pick up
patrollers around the world.” their own costs, or sharing them in some fashion with the host
The program also serves as an incentive and a key reten- resort. The same is true for housing that patroller.
tion educational perk for dedicated patrollers to go overseas As J-1 sponsorships become increasingly harder to obtain
through this exchange. Black went abroad to France as an NSP for such foreign specialists (the current administration is chal-
exchange patroller, which enhanced his belief in the program. lenging the overall J-1 program with Congress), the NSP is
His experience traveling internationally and working with providing a unique opportunity within the ski industry to
other like-minded individuals who shared his passions demon- bring over international specialists with a critical skill set,
strated to him that certain values and best practices often which experienced ski patrollers provide. Given the parameters
transcend borders, he says. Black has since worked tirelessly to of the program and external limitations, the number of J-1
offer the same opportunity to US and international patrollers sponsorships available to international patrollers from NSP
so they may learn from one another, foster relationships, and is limited. In past years, the NSP has sponsored around two
collaborate to advance the ski patrol community. dozen patrollers each year. For 2019, space is limited to 30
With Black’s guidance, the NSP’s Exchange Visitor spots for J-1 exchange patrollers, and we anticipate this pro-
Program now operates out of the NSP’s national office in gram to reach its capacity quickly. As demand grows, NSP may
Lakewood, Colo. The NSP’s registration manager, Charles be able to increase those numbers slightly, but not dramatically.
Buckman, works with NSP’s executive director to run the We encourage member patrols who are interested in the
exchanges and communicate with the international patrollers. international exchange of ideas to work with their interna-
In 2018, the NSP sponsored a total of 24 international tional counterparts to determine the individuals needing
patrollers from five different countries: Argentina, Australia, sponsorship and then contact the NSP to commence the
France, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. These process. For more information on the program and to learn
patrollers are now working at 13 different ski resorts: Arapahoe about initial requirements, email memberrecords@nsp.org.

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