No. All new patrollers must successfully complete the first aid course. This ensures that we all understand each other’s level of training and that patients receive consistent and safe treatment. Completion of the course is also a requirement for liability insurance purposes.

If you completed the course more than two years ago without completing the annual CSP recertification, then you must redo the entire first aid course.

You are allowed to take a re-test. The training can be overwhelming and if you put in the effort to learn the material and study, the instructors will assist you. All new patrollers must successfully pass their first aid exams (BLS/CPR/AED, Skills, Written, and Diagnostic). On-snow training can be completed in February/March or in early December. We do not offer refunds for unsuccessful participants.

We understand that we are all volunteers and that we have busy schedules and circumstances can sometimes be beyond our control. Absences from the classroom sessions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and require approval from the Edmonton Zone VP Education.

You can register yourself through another certified provider (e.g. Red Cross or Heart & Stroke) for a course that fits your schedule; however you will be responsible for covering the additional cost. Please ensure that you take the HCP Level BLS/CPR/AED course and that the certificate is valid until the end of the upcoming ski season. You must also provide a copy of your certificate to the Edmonton Zone VP Education.

If you already have a valid HCP Level CPR/AED certification that is valid until the end of the upcoming ski season, you can provide a copy of it to the Edmonton Zone VP Education and you will not be required to attend this session as part of the first aid course. Note that that patrollers must recertify their CPR/AED skills annually (meaning that if you have a BLS/CPR/AED certificate that is valid for 3 years, Edmonton Zone will expect you to re-certify these skills annually).

All new patrollers must demonstrate skiing/riding, as well as toboggan handling abilities, that are appropriate for their first year of patrolling at a low-country ski area (Rabbit Hill Snow Resort, Snow Valley, or Kinosoo Ridge).

Instructors will evaluate your alpine skiing/snowboarding level for low-country competency and will provide toboggan handling training. All new patrollers must complete low-country on-hill training, regardless of where they want to patrol. Low-country on-hill training occurs at the Rabbit Hill Snow Resort.

The on-hill training is a two-day weekend course running from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM on both days.

You will receive a hill-specific orientation at your chosen ski area.

Edmonton Zone members interested in patrolling at Marmot Basin must pass two additional training courses:

• A training weekend, in which skiing and toboggan handling skills are evaluated on all terrain
• An orientation course, in which patrollers are examined on their knowledge of the resort and its procedures (e.g. radio, response, and ambulance protocols).

You must successfully complete low-country on-hill training before undertaking training at Marmot Basin.

CSP Edmonton Zone is committed to helping all recruits attain acceptable on-hill skiing/riding and toboggan-handling skills. Recruits who do not pass their on-hill training will have the opportunity to receive ski-improvement training from our CSIA/CASI-certified instructors, and can have their on-hill skills certified during the season by the Edmonton Zone VP Education. Until they certify their on-hill skills, these recruits are able to provide first aid to patients, but are not permitted to transport patients in a toboggan.

You either need to attend on-snow training either in the spring (Feb-Mar) before you take the CSP First Aid course, or immediately after you have completed the course (Dec). Exceptions to this will need to be approved in advance by the Edmonton Zone VP Education. Training dates are posted in the events calendar.

Membership fees in the Edmonton Zone are heavily subsidised by our fundraising efforts. These fees cover equipment costs, subsidise the uniform costs (the red patrol jacket) and pay for our liability insurance. All patrollers are required to participate in our fundraising efforts. The annual fundraising commitment is to work two bingo or two casino shifts. Alternatively, volunteering for a shift at one of our summer events can be substituted for one of the bingo/casino shifts (e.g. Canadian Birkie, 5 Peaks).

Meals are provided to bingo/casino volunteers, and the Edmonton Zone pays for pizza and refreshments after each bingo shift.

Yes. New patrollers can choose which low-country ski area they will patrol at (Rabbit Hill Snow Resort, Snow Valley, or Kinosoo Ridge).

First-year patrollers must be fully-rostered at a low-country ski hill. However, they are welcome to attend high-country training at Marmot Basin. Upon successful completion of this training, they will added to the spares list for Marmot Basin. High-country roster spots are allocated based on availability.

Yes. We are a national organization, and you can transfer between zones. Please note that if you sign up through the Edmonton Zone, you must complete all of the Edmonton Zone requirements. This includes your annual fundraising commitments and annual recertification.

The low-country patrol commitment is one evening a week, or one weekend day every two weeks. Each ski area has its own protocols for assigning shifts and obtaining spares to cover for missed shifts. Outside of emergency situations, it is your responsibility to find a spare to cover for your missed shifts. This is usually achieved by simply emailing the list of rostered patrollers at least a week ahead of the shift you require coverage for. Patrollers with unpredictable schedules can make arrangements with their respective ski area patrol leaders. Note that patrollers are required to work at least 12 three hour shifts per season.

Each ski area has its own scheduling system, and these will be explained to new patrollers during their on-hill orientation or at an orientation meeting prior to the start of the ski season.

Each ski area has different benefits – in general for each day you patrol, you receive a ski pass that you can use or pass on to friends or family. You are not allowed to sell these passes. The ski areas also provide meal vouchers for each shift patrolled.

Yes. The Edmonton Zone provides first aid coverage for the Canadian Birkie, the 5 Peaks trail running races, the Sourdough Raft Race and other events.

A patrol jacket, patrol pack, and basic first aid supplies are provided for new patrollers choosing to patrol at a ski area within the Edmonton Zone. A snow shovel, probe and avalanche beacon are provided for patrollers at Marmot Basin.

New patrollers need to supply their own black snow pants, a helmet and ski/snowboard equipment. These can be purchased at discounted rates by taking advantage of the many pro-deals offered to CSP members (these deals can be accessed via the Canadian Ski Patrol national website once you’re a member).

You will be provided with a jacket and pack after you have completed your first aid certification and your on-hill training. Note that the jacket remains the property of the Edmonton Zone and that you will be required to provide a refundable deposit for it. Patrollers have the option of purchasing their own jacket, to which white crosses must be stitched. Such a jacket must be the correct shade of red and be approved by your ski area’s patrol leader. Patrollers can also provide their own black backpack, to which a white cross must be attached.

Joining is a big commitment, and we want to ensure you have all the information you need to make the decision to become part of the CSP. We encourage you to come to Information and Recruitment Nights or get in touch. You can obtain information by simply chatting with a patroller at any of the ski areas served by the Edmonton Zone.

Please check our website for information on the Canadian Ski Patrol and the ski areas served by the Edmonton Zone. If you have additional questions about joining, please get in touch.