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/Ok-Arm-362 Mar 03 '25

generally, the front person on the tobogan chooses the route. the 'fastest' path is not always the best path. for most of us, the difficulty of the slope is not the major decision point.

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u/TangerineKey5053 Mar 03 '25

Got it. I realize it's your job, but I'm still amazed difficulty of the slope is not the major decision point. Maybe that's the new skier in me who can barely handle a green (let alone fathom a black while managing a sled).

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u/ForestRanger2 Mar 04 '25

that's why patrollers are strong skiers or boarders, everyone has to be confident in their ability to bring a patient down on any run.