Industry News
There is no question that members of the ski patrol are vital to the safety and operations at all resorts. The ski patrol performs many daily tasks throughout the season to mitigate the risks and dangers to all guests and resort employees. Those tasks can be providing medical attention to an injured person, medical transportation of a person, terrain evaluation, lift evacuation, and more. Ski patrol members around the United States are certified and trained in all these tasks and the Mount Mansfield Ski Patrol (MMSP) at Stowe Mountain Resort, Vermont, has been doing it the longest. Stowe Mountain Resort’s MMSP was founded on January 8, 1934, and is the longest-operating ski patrol in the United States. It celebrated its 90 years of service to skiers, riders, and visitors to the mountain this past January 8, 2024.
It all began in 1936 when a skier visiting Stowe broke his ankle on the Toll Road and was aided by Mt. Mansfield Ski Club / Ski Patrol members, who transported the injured skier to safety on one of their corrugated tin toboggans. C. Minot “Minnie” Dole was the injured skier and became adamant about skiing safety and eventually served as the National Ski Patrol’s (NSP) first National Director. During World War II, he also helped to establish the famed 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army at Stowe.
- Related Article: Ski Industry Unions Across America Fight For Experienced Staff Retention and Training Incentives
“The Mount Mansfield Ski Patrol is an invaluable asset to Stowe Mountain Resort, embodying the value of safety and camaraderie on the slopes. Their unwavering commitment to ensuring a secure and enjoyable skiing experience is a cornerstone of our mountain community, making Stowe not just a destination for adventure, but a haven where every skier and rider can confidently carve their memories,” Shannon Buhler, Vice President and General Manager of Stowe Mountain Resort said.
Stemming from its roots as the Mt. Manfield Ski Club, today, the Mount Mansfield Ski Patrol is tasked with assessing the mountain conditions and opening and closing trails based on conditions for the safety of guests.MMSP ensures guests are having the best experience possible on the mountain and keeping skiers and riders safe. MMSP also assists with any health and safety issues that guests or staff encounter. On average, the MMSP responds to 900-1000 calls a year (150-day season) for anyone who needs assistance according to MMSP Director Craig Fisher. Those calls can be located anywhere on the mountain, including guests staying in the hotel, and home sites located at Stowe Mountain Resort.
Mt. Mansfield Ski Club was legally incorporated on January 8, 1934, to promote safety in all aspects of skiing which led members to formalize a patrol. From 1934 to 1938, participation in the club grew and for their ski patrol duties, the group built a supply of makeshift toboggans made of corrugated tin roofing. Today, the MMSP comprises 60 members who cover three areas at Stowe Mountain Resort which are the Mansfield, Gondola, and Spruce Peak areas according to Fisher.
“Being on ski patrol is akin to joining a tight-knit family, sharing a common space and facing various ups and downs together,” Fisher said. “You create a profound understanding among members, fostering lifelong connections and enduring relationships.” Fisher, like many members of the ski patrol, has deep roots in the Stowe community, first skiing at Stowe as a junior high student and subsequently joining MMSP in 1996.
Quick Facts and History:
- Stowe Mountain Founded in 1937
- Home to the Oldest Ski Patrol in the United States (Est. 1934)
- Summit Elevation: 4,395 feet
- Highest Skiing Elevation: 3,625 feet
- Skiable Terrain: 485 acres
- Trails: 116
- Lifts: 12
- Terrain Parks: 1
- Beginner Trails: 16%
- Intermediate Trails: 55%
- Advanced Trails: 29%
- Average Snowfall: 314 inches
All paid staff members of the MMSP are required to be EMS certified and are licensed first responders with the state of Vermont. Volunteers fall under the National Ski Patrol (NSP) model and hold Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) qualifications. Training is always important to ensure the ski patrol is prepared to handle emergencies on the mountain. “The first primary responsibility of the ski patrol is to get to the injured individual, to stabilize them, and to safely transport the individual down to the mountain to a new location,” Fisher said.
One of the biggest skills first-year patrollers have to pass is operating the rescue toboggan on any terrain on the mountain. That includes operating the rescue toboggan on every trail, in the glades, and any conditions. Fisher admits that it took him some time to master when he first joined the ski patrol 27 years ago. “Some of the ski patrollers breeze right through it, but some struggle with it like I did and it may take a little more time,” Fisher said.
On-the-hill training is an ongoing process for the ski patrollers at Stowe which means training on several different tasks. Some of those are on-the-mountain medical scenarios, proper tying of ropes and knots, understanding the layout of the mountain, how to conduct a proper trail check, how to conduct a proper line check on the lifts, and how to sweep at the end of the day to ensure there are no more guests on the mountain.
When the ski season ends at Stowe, it does not mean that the training stops for members of the ski patrol. MMSP continues training throughout the spring, summer, and fall to make them more efficient and effective at their jobs. Lift evacuation training is the focus during that time to be proficient in evacuating guests from the lifts or gondolas if needed. “We train many hours preparing with the hope of never having to need it, but when the need is there, the patrols must be proficient at it,” Fisher said.
Ensuring guest’s safety on the mountain is paramount and every day on the slopes can be different from the last. The plan for the MMSP at the start of the day can change with one phone call or radio transmission which can completely change the direction of the day depending on what happens. Every situation that the ski patrol responds to can be different from the last call they received and members of the MMSP have to be prepared for that. “The best patrollers can pivot on the dime when they have to and face the issue and challenge that is right in front of them, work through that challenge, and move on to the next one,” Fisher said.
Being part of the longest-operating ski patrol in the United States is something special and every member should be proud of. That sense of pride is something that Fisher believes that they share with all patrollers from any mountain in the industry. Ski patrol members spend a lot of time with small amount of people, in generally small spaces, and under extreme scenarios. Fisher did not realize it when he first started patrolling and the bond that all patrollers from any mountain have for each other is something that he appreciates and admires. “There is a sense of community and camaraderie amongst the members of the patrol and it is a family environment at the end of the day,” Fisher said.
To honor the MMSP’s legacy, Stowe Mountain Resort has created a video series about the organization. Sponsored by Stowe Mountain Resort’s on-mountain safety partner Helly Hansen, this documentary-style video series commemorates and celebrates the history of MMSP.
