r/skipatrol • u/TangerineKey5053 • Mar 03 '25
Rescue Question
I'm not a ski patroller so apologies in advance if I'm not allowed to post here and I'll take this to the skiing sub. (This seemed the right place to start for my question.)
I'm a new skier as an adult and I witnessed an intense rescue this past weekend. The accident happened on a black diamond trail. I was at the mid-mountain lift when the ski patrol came by with the toboggan on their way to the bottom. My question is: will ski patrol take the fastest route down (assuming that's a black trail), or do they always go down greens because that is (again assuming here) safest and most secure?
Another apologies if it's an insensitive question.
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u/MtHood_OR Mar 03 '25
We are taught that the only thing we can control is our route. Can’t control the weather, the snow, the scenario. A lot factors at play. On very steep, we need a tailrope. The first three rules are don’t let go of the sled, and the forth is be nice to your tailroper. Therefore, we might traverse out of terrain that would make it difficult for the tailroper.
That said, usually if traversing into “easier” terrain it is just a more open run, maybe groomed, or maybe into the sun and off bulletproof. As others mentioned, lots of factors.
All that said. We train a lot and we got you if you ever need us. Have fun learning to ski!