We are always looking for people with a strong desire to help others, improve their on-snow abilities, and make outside recreation safer for everyone. Joining the Canadian Ski Patrol is a year-long process. Recruiting for the 2024-2025 season is now closed.
How Do I Join the Alpine Patrol for the 2024-2025 Season?
To join the Canadian Ski Patrol, you must:
- be 18 years of age or older
- pass the alpine ski/snowboard evaluation on March 3, 2024 (Nordic candidates are exempt)
- attend and pass the advanced first aid course that runs from September to December 2024
- provide a clear vulnerable sector police information check
The following information is for joining our volunteer alpine ski patrol. See Join Nordic for information on how to join our volunteer Nordic patrol. Some of the following dates are mandatory to advance through the process, so save the dates. We only offer one ski ability evaluation date. All dates are subject to change. Contact us to add your name to our candidates list and to be kept up to date on schedule changes.
To join our patrol:
Step 1: Attend Information Night by Zoom on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 7:00 pm or our Open House on February 15, 2024 at 7:00 pm at the Scandinavian Centre (739 20 Ave NW, Calgary). Information Night and our Open House are not required but are highly recommended so that you can make an informed decision to join the patrol and know what the commitment entails. You only need to attend one event as the content will be repeated at both events. Email joincalgary@skipatrol.ca to add your name to our candidate list and receive invitations to these events.
Step 2: Participate in an Experience Patrol Day, which involves skiing with an active patroller to learn what it takes to be a patroller and what a patroller does. Experience Patrol Days are non-mandatory dates for those who want to know more about joining the patrol. Space is limited. Experience Patrol Days will be held on:
- Sunday, January 21, 2024 – Lake Louise (FULL)
- additional dates and locations to be determined
Step 3: Participate in the MANDATORY Alpine Ski/Board Evaluation on Sunday, March 3, 2024 at Nakiska. This evaluation is for alpine skiers/snowboarders (our Nordic patrol has a different assessment system). The cost is $125 and is non-refundable if you do not pass or cannot attend. You must register in advance. Registration will open from Friday, February 16 at noon until Sunday, February 25 at midnight. Space is limited. Email us and ask for the link to the registration form.
Step 4: If you pass the Alpine Ski/Board Evaluation, participate in Ski Around Days (at least one date is MANDATORY). Ski Around Days are your chance to examine the resorts where you want to patrol. Candidates must attend the Ski Around Day at the resort where they most want to patrol, but we recommend that you attend at least three Ski Around Days because you may not be assigned to your first-choice resort. Resort selection is done by a matching process whereby each candidate and resort selects their top choices and then the candidate is matched to a resort. You must register in advance, and the cost is $275. Registration will open on March 13. Space is limited. Ski Around Days will be held on:
- Sunday, March 17, 2024 – Panorama
- Saturday, March 23, 2024 – Nakiska (at this time, Nakiska is the only resort that accepts snowboarders on its patrol)
- Sunday, March 24, 2024 – Norquay
- Sunday, April 7, 2024 – Lake Louise
- Sunday, April 14, 2024 – Sunshine Village
Step 5: Register for the fall New Patroller Course in April 2024.
Step 6: Complete the New Patroller Course (MANDATORY) from mid-September to December, including:
- Advanced First Aid (in Calgary)
- On-Snow Toboggan Training (alpine patrollers only)
Step 7: Complete a ski area orientation at your assigned resort from December 2024 onward.
New Patroller Course
The Canadian Ski Patrol’s New Patroller Course is an 80+ hour advanced first aid course that gives new patrollers the knowledge and hands-on skills to help people on and off the ski terrain. The course is mostly in-person with an additional online component.
Due to our national insurance and liability coverage, ALL new recruits to the Calgary Zone must take the New Patroller Course regardless of any previous medical training. Attending this course is mandatory and non-negotiable. The course starts in mid-September and runs through the end of November. The course is in Calgary and is held two nights per week from about 6:30-9:30 pm. There are also two full weekend days in the course – one for CPR/AED training and one for field skills. Our new alpine and Nordic patrollers take the course together.
Our advanced first aid course is accredited nationally and provincially.
Skiing Ability
The Calgary Zone has partnerships with the premier resorts in the Canadian Rockies. These include Lake Louise, Mount Norquay, Nakiska, Panorama, and Sunshine Village. The Calgary Zone requires all applicants to be strong intermediate skiers/boarders. In some cases, applicants must be at an expert-strong advanced level, depending on the resort. At this time, Nakiska is the only resort that accepts snowboarders on its patrol. It is possible to join the Lake Louise patrol on a snowboard; however, this requires the approval of the Lake Louise Patrol Leader.
Cost and Benefits
The total cost is $400, with $125 payable for the Ski/Board Evaluation and $275 payable for Ski Around Days. Once you pay for the evaluation and Ski Around Days, there is no added cost for the New Patroller Course in the fall or for your jacket and backpack.
How do you benefit? You will:
- obtain accredited advanced first aid skills that can be listed on your CV
- enjoy lots of weekend skiing/snowboarding
- be able to access our pro deals and discounts (available online after completing and passing the New Patroller Course)
- qualify for perks or discounts at your assigned resort
- qualify for the Canadian Ski Patrol’s awards program
- qualify to provide first aid services at year-round events supported by the Canadian Ski Patrol
- learn transferable skills such as critical thinking, risk management, and creative problem-solving
- gain teamwork experience and have the opportunity to pursue leadership and management roles
- feel satisfied about doing good in your community
- make new friends, ones that can last a lifetime
Members of the Canadian Ski Patrol are volunteers; they do not get paid.
Time Commitment
All alpine patrollers are asked to commit to patrolling at least 2 weekend days a month during the ski season. In addition, all patrollers are asked to complete two shifts at The Calgary New & Used Ski Sale in October.
Every fall you are required to requalify for first aid certification, which involves approximately 16 hours of time (two weekend days), to stay up-to-date on new and existing treatments.
Equipment
The Canadian Ski Patrol will supply, on loan, a patrol jacket and backpack for first aid supplies. You will be given your own basic first aid kit when you complete the New Patroller Course in November. You must provide your own black ski pants, helmet, ski equipment, and additional clothing. All alpine resorts in the Calgary Zone require you to carry a full avalanche kit (transceiver, shovel, and probe). Some resorts provide these for daily use while you are on patrol, but some resorts require you to provide your own.