For more than 55 years, the NSP has been at the forefront of safety and emergency care education programs. The association's 28,500 members represent 98 percent of the nation's patrollers, whether or not they are paid by or volunteer for their home area.. These members, through NSP's award-winning Outdoor Emergency Care program, are the principal delivery system of emergency care training for ski area patrollers. NSP also develops training for non-medical roles, including toboggan handling, avalanche rescue, mountain host programs, and more.

NSP also reaches members through nationally funded education materials and programs, division newsletters, and local clinics. Through its divisions, NSP conducts training events to supplement training provided by the ski areas. This cooperative effort ensures that members are serving the needs of area management while staying in tune with a nationally standardized system. The national office is located in Lakewood, Colorado, and is staffed with full-time employees to handle administrative duties.

Following is the mission statement of the National Ski Patrol:

We are a member-driven association. Our members support and participate in the ski and outdoor recreation community by providing emergency care, rescue, and education services. Our association supports us by surpassing member expectations through:

• An esprit de corps that inspires members to belong
• Exceptional education programs
• Dynamic communications
• Outstanding membership support services
• Energetic interagency relations
• A strong financial position

National Ski Patrol members are people with a strong desire to help others. People who want to learn - and use - emergency care skills, improve their skiing or snowboarding, and help make mountain recreation safer for all. If this sounds like you, read on and find out how you can join this exclusive team.

Find Your Niche
Many ski areas depend on volunteer patrol members to meet their many needs. Other areas employ full-time or part-time paid patrollers, or use a combination of paid and volunteer staff to provide patrol services. We encourage you to contact the patrol directors at the ski and snowboard areas of your choice to get an idea of the specific qualifications and experience they are seeking for their patrollers. Although the national office may not know the patroller needs at a specific area, we can direct you to patrol directors near your location. In any case, the profile of the National Ski Patrol member is that of a person willing to work hard, devote many hours, and continually enhance personal knowledge and skills.

Work Hard, Play Hard
There's nothing more rewarding than putting in a hard day's work-and having a good time doing it. The main objective of being a National Ski Patrol member is to support the area management function of caring for injured skiers and in making mountain recreation safer and more fun. But, there are many other benefits. You'll be a respected part of the industry. You'll perfect your skills. And you'll make friendships that will last a lifetime.

Gain The Advantages Of Higher Education
National Ski Patrol education programs offer you the chance to learn about emergency care, search and rescue, avalanche control, lift evacuation, mountaineering, toboggan handling, and other interesting topics! You'll test your knowledge and your skills with personalized support from your area and fellow patrollers. You'll also receive a free subscription to Ski Patrol Magazine, which provides timely information abour emergency care techniques, skiing and snowboarding tips, association news, and more. NSP programs are an exciting challenge-in the classroom and on the slopes!

CPR Course
A current CPR card. NSP recognizes either American Red Cross or The Heart Association. CPR cards must be renewed every year, even those with multi-year expiration dates.

Skills
The National Ski Patrol has various patroller roles. Once a new member or candidate passes all the first aid skills tests they can become either a Basic or Auxiliary patroller. Strong skiers or snowboarders train with toboggans and become Basic Patrollers who primarily function on the hill. The Auxiliary Patrollers does not require any skiing, snowboarding or toboggan skills.

Age
There are three different programs within the National Ski Patrol. Basic and Auxiliary patrollers start at age 18 years. There is also a Junior Ski Patrol available for younger people that concentrates on First Aid and Skiing and Snowboarding skills.