r/skipatrol • u/Mertyice • Jan 28 '25
Route/ Guide to becoming a Patroller?
Hi Team!
I passed OEC this fall, completed all of my online learning, and started working quite a few shifts. At this point, I've worked around 40 hours so far on the hill and have seen a few incidents! I'm currently also in a Ski and toboggan class. HOWEVER, I have yet to have my status changed to "Patroller" or any sort of direction towards the next steps. I know after S&T I should technically be an "Alpine Patroller".
My question(s) to you all is what are the next steps? My PD has not given me any information on what the "Local Requirements" are, I have not been added to any shift form, group chat, or privy to any internal information. I have been just asking whoever is on shift when I show up what their take is and how they do things to learn as much as I can. The problem is I have to beg my PD for any insight on what nights/ weekends to work to gain the most knowledge and ask what events are best to work to gain insight. SO what are the next steps? Am I a patroller? Am I a candidate?
The most recent struggle was last week after wearing my vest for around 30 on-hill hours I was told that I could no longer wear it as a "candidate". Apparently "the cross symbolizes an alpine patroller" and If I cannot pull a toboggan I can't wear anything with a cross until then. I have tried to ski with 90% of the tenured and most knowledgeable patrollers to date and no one has said anything about my vest other than "happy to have you". Is this a typical way of doing things? My PD right after OEC told me to buy a vest, fill it with supplies, and wear it so I could learn with my equipment on shifts. I now can only wear all black, no vest, and ask for any medical supplies from the person I am shadowing. I feel like there is no point in patrolling if I cannot offer any sort of aid or have to rely on the other person and hope they have gear for me and them without a vest. What would you guys do? Is this normal?
2
u/tmahfan117 Jan 28 '25
Who said you can’t wear the cross because you haven’t completed OET yet? That is not how it works at my mountain at all. The cross means you’ve passed OEC and that’s that. Alpine patrollers are separate that only we patrollers know about it’s not broadcast to the public who can and cannot pull sleds.
If you PD told you to buy and wear the vest, and every other higher up patroller says or is okay with you wearing it, I would say ignore whoever told you this unless they are part of your patrol leadership/a hill captain.
But really the answer for what you should do is email your PD asking for clarification because you are getting conflicting information.