Vail to debut new Vail Mountain Junior Ski Patrol Program

This season, Vail Mountain and the Vail Ski Patrol will debut a Vail Mountain Junior Ski Patrol Program for 24 select Eagle County students. To be eligible for the program, students must be in grades 8 through 10, at a level 7 skiing ability, be available for all program dates, and submit a video through an application process.

Vail Ski Patrol getting the mountain ready for a storm last season (Vail Facebook page).

“We want this program to provide local youth a sense of their responsibility when skiing and riding on Vail Mountain,” said Brice May, Vail Ski Patrol Director. “We believe this insider-look into how Ski Patrol operates will allow them the skills and education to become safety ambassadors when on the mountain. Plus, for those youth that are potentially interested in joining Ski Patrol when they are older, it will provide them with hands-on experience and knowledge about what that position entails.”

The inaugural program, which will take place on four Sundays – Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11, and 25 – will pair participants in groups with a ski patroller to learn mountain safety, the duties and responsibilities of ski patrol, orientation, CPR and first aid, patrol tour of outposts, end-of-day sweeps, avalanche awareness, gates and closures awareness, toboggan training, and non-medical training.

On Nov. 28, Vail will begin accepting applications for the program. Applicants must submit a video essay via e-mail to KWilliams@vailresorts.com explaining why they are interested in the program, what they love about skiing, and footage of them skiing. The deadline to apply is Jan. 1. Applications will be vetted and 24 participants will be selected to participate in a ski test on Jan. 21 to verify their level 7 skiing ability.

For more information regarding the program and application process, parents and applicants are welcome to attend an Open House on Nov. 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at The Vail Centre Community Room in Riverwalk, above Slifer Designs, located at 216 Main, Edwards, CO.