Bristol Mountain Ski Patrol

The primary purpose for the Bristol Mountain Ski Patrol (BMSP) is Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) and timely transportation services as needed by Bristol’s patrons.  Additionally, the patrol function is to educate the skiing/snowboarding public to assure awareness of their responsibilities on the mountain, with regard to courtesy and safe skiing practices, while still being able to enjoy all aspects of the sport.

Each on-duty patroller and courtesy staff person carries a radio, so everyone is kept up to date in the event of a problem.  Rescue toboggans are stationed in multiple locations around the area, with two hilltop buildings and a base facility that contain additional equipment including oxygen, a defibrillator, evacuation ropes, and other medical supplies that may be required in special situations.

What Happens with An Accident Notification?

When we receive a report of an accident, a patroller is immediately dispatched to the site to evaluate the seriousness of the situation and request the appropriate equipment, toboggan, and/or additional patrollers to assist, as required.  If you witness an accident, please report it to the nearest Bristol Mountain employee and please make sure to accurately identify the trail name and approximate location.  Please do NOT call 911, as this may result in an ambulance being dispatched unnecessarily, and tying up equipment that may be needed elsewhere in the community.  Two ambulance services cover our area, along with Mercy Flight, and we will utilize them when necessary.

Staff Make-up

The Bristol Mountain Ski Patrol is made up of a group of volunteers who above all love to ski, snowboard, and telemark, and share the joy of the sport with others.  BMSP also promotes safety and provides outdoor emergency care, in accordance with National Ski Patrol guidelines.  BMSP members come from all walks of life and spend countless hours in training before becoming active Ski Patrollers.

Interested in the Patrol? 

Many hours of first aid training must be completed, as well as written and practical exams before the patroller candidate can move on to skiing and toboggan handling (S&T) training.  The OEC program begins in August, and final exams are given in December.  Classes meet 2-3 times per week, averaging 3-4 hours per class.  Even medical professionals must take the OEC course.  Once this stage of training is complete, S&T starts and runs for the next two months.  On-the-hill patrollers must exhibit above average skiing abilities, with and without the toboggan.  All patrollers must participate in several refreshers before the start of the new season:  CPR & AED, an on-the-hill at Bristol including staged accident situations, an all-day OEC refresher where we review all aspects of our training, a blackout evacuation drill, and a toboggan-handling and ski skills check-off.  In addition to the required refreshers, every patroller has an assigned schedule - some patrollers work day shifts only (9 hours) once a week.  The majority of the members work a 4-hour night shift every week, and an 8-hour shift every other weekend.  There is a minimum requirement of 60 hours per season; most of us work in excess of 100 hours.  We have required patrol meetings and on-going training through the season as new equipment becomes available.

So, Why Do So Many Become Patrollers?

For the most part, it's because it gives us a chance to do things we really love:  spend time on the slopes with a great group of folks, help people who need us, and educate a few more so that it will be more fun for everyone who participates.  It's not always easy, and sometimes the weather and other circumstances make it less than fun, but we almost always keep coming back.  You may end up skiing when you wouldn't go unless you had to be there, and lo and behold, the conditions are awesome and you're loving it!  Ski Patrol is a great way to meet a lot of people who share a love of the outdoors.  If you think you'd like to join us, please stop by the patrol building at the base, and let us know you're interested!  For more information on the National Ski Patrol, check out www.nsp.org or the Genesee Valley Region web page at www.nspgvr.org.