Welcome to the Home of the Smugglers' Notch Ski Patrol!

The Smugglers' Notch Ski Patrol has four primary responsibilities:

	•	We provide first aid and transportation off the mountain for injured skiers and riders.
	•	When necessary, we organize search and rescue of lost or missing skiers and riders.
	•	We are responsible for on-hill mountain operations including maintaining all signs, ropes and other directional or hazard warnings; continuously monitoring trail conditions; and directing lift evacuations. We even operate the lifts at the end of the day as part of daily mountain closing operations.
	•	We provide all-around great customer service by offering advice on where to ski or directions around the resort. We even get asked for skiing tips!

A typical day on the hill for us begins with an early morning “milk run” before the lifts are open to the public — about 7:20 am on weekends. Patrollers report on weather conditions; check their equipment, trail signs and ropes; and evaluate trail conditions to make sure the mountain is ready for a great day of skiing. The rest of the day involves answering questions and giving directions to our guests; providing first aid and transport off the hill to injured skiers; and monitoring trail conditions. At the end of the day after the lifts close, we ski the trails one more time to close down the mountain.

Our work day is long (10 hours is typical), but the rewards are great!

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We are always interested in new volunteer members who can meet our qualifications, and there are occasionally openings on the paid staff. Information about openings on the paid patrol can be found at the Smuggs employment page or by contacting Kiri in Mountain Operations at (802)644-1161or by email at mtnops@smuggs.com.

Basic requirements for anyone interested in joining the Smuggs Patrol begin with a great attitude, a willingness to work hard, and very strong skiing or riding skills. While our resort has an international reputation as a “family-friendly” ski area, we also have some of the most challenging and exciting terrain anywhere in the east. You’ll need to be able to ski or ride everything on our mountain with ease and confidence in any conditions.

Candidates can come to us with previous first aid training such as EMT, W-EMT, and OEC. You will also need to have CPR for the Professional Rescuer. Those without any previous training can take an Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) course that is typically taught in the Fall before the ski season begins. Once the resort starts turning the lifts, we begin the skiing and toboggan training.

If you are under 18 and over 15, you can join as a Student Patroller. Students receive all of the same training and are expected to meet all of the same requirements as any other patroller on the mountain.

All patrol candidates must pass the Local Patroller test which consists of written and practical first-aid, skiing, and toboggan handling usually given sometime in January conditions permitting.

Our season begins with a mandatory patrol refresher the first weekend of November, and ends when the resort shuts down the lifts in mid-April. Volunteer patrollers are expected to work 20 days throughout the season mostly on the weekends. Paid patrollers work up to 5 days per week both during the week and on weekends.

All of our patrollers are members of the National Ski Patrol. The National Ski Patrol, founded in 1938, is a member-driven professional organization of registered ski patrols, patrollers and others, both paid and volunteer. The organization is composed of more than 26,000 members serving over 600 patrols nationwide. The NSP supports its members through credentialed education and training in leadership, outdoor emergency care, safety and transportation services, which enables members to serve the community in the safe enjoyment of outdoor recreation. The NSP provides a wide range of outdoor educational programs including avalanche assessment and rescue, mountain travel and rescue, toboggan handling, and instructor development.

Among the benefits of being a member of our patrol include:

	•	Season pass for you and your dependents
	•	Employee discounts
	•	Pro pricing on ski equipment
	•	A tax write off for volunteer expenses
	•	LOTS of great skiing

If you are interested in joining our patrol, stop in and visit us. During the ski season patrol headquarters can be found on the first floor of the Madonna Base Lodge. You can also stop in at any of our top shacks at the top of the Madonna, Sterling, or Village lifts. During the off-season you can contact Mountain Operations at (802)644-1161 or mtnops@smuggs.com.

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Keeping the mountain fun and safe for you is our primary responsibility.

However there are lots of things you can do to help us out. Here are few tips and links for more information...

Know the Code... Skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed in many ways. On our mountain you may see people using alpine skis, snowboards, telemark skis, cross country skis, and other specialized equipment, such as that used by the disabled. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Observe the code listed below and share with other skiers and riders the responsibility for a great skiing experience:

	•	Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
	•	People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
	•	You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.
	•	Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
	•	Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
	•	Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
	•	Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.
	•	Know the code. It's your responsibility. (This is a partial list. Be safety conscious.)

Lids On Kids... a site dedicated to providing information on helmet safety and answer questions about helmet use. The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) together with the help of many others in the ski industry has developed this site to help educate parents about the benefits and limitations of helmets.

Smart Style... Smart riders ride in style. Here are few tips to help you be safe and smart around the mountain:

	•	Look Before You Leap: Scope around the jumps first, not over them. Know your landings are clear and clear yourself out of the landing area.
	•	Easy Style It: Start small and work your way up. (Inverted aerials not recommended).
	•	Respect Gets Respect: From the lift line through the park.

Go Sun Smart... The strength of the sun’s energy is magnified at higher elevations and as it is reflected off the snow. Protect your skin and eyes from the harmful effects of the sun with a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.


Be prepared in the backcountry....Whenever you are traveling in the backcountry you need to be prepared for the unexpected. These are just a few tips for you to keep in mind:

	•	Never travel alone. Groups of three or more are recommended.
	•	Know where you are going, and how and when you will return. And be sure to tell someopne else so they can alert rescuers in case you don’t get back when you were supposed to.
	•	Go prepared with extra clothing, food, water and first aid/rescue supplies. Know how to use the equipment you have.
	•	Get educated. Take a course in wilderness first aid, mountain travel and avalanche awareness.

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Northern Vermont Region, National Ski Patrol: www.nspnvt.org

Eastern Division, National Ski Patrol: www.nspeast.org

National Ski Patrol: www.nsp.org

National Ski Areas Association: www.nsaa.org

Canadian Ski Patrol System: www.csps.ca

Fédération Internationale des Patrouilles de Ski (International Federation of Ski Patrollers): www.fips.cam.org

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What and Where	Who to Contact
September 2009
13- OEC Course Begins (for anyone interested in becoming a patroller)	Bill Moore (802) 899-3331
25 - OEC Refresher Planning Meeting (OEC instructors only)	Teigh Southworth (802) 828-5653
October 2009
24 - OEC Instructors Refresher (OEC Instructors only)	Teigh Southworth
November 2009
7 & 8 - Ski Patrol OEC Refresher Madonna Base Lodge, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm	Teigh Southworth
27 - Opening Day!!!
December 2009
TBA - Mandatory Training Weekend All patrollers, new and returning	Dave Sills (802) 644-1182
January 2010
February 2010
March 2010
April 2010

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