Young Adult Patrol
What is Young Adult Patrol?
The Young Adult Patroller Program is a nationally certified youth education and certification program accredited by the National Ski Patrol. In this program students aged 15 to 17 participate in a two year course where they learn the on-hill skills required of ski patrollers and become fully certified Outdoor Emergency Care Technicians (the medical certification necessary to perform the work of a ski patroller – comparable to an EMT course).
Upon completion of the Young Adult Patroller Program, youth graduate as fully certified ski patrollers, eligible for employment or volunteer status at any mountain. This program gives youth a head start for a career or volunteer opportunities in ski patrol or other emergency responder pathways.
How to Join
Skeetawk’s program operates on a two year training cycle, with tryouts for the upcoming year held at the end of each ski season. Youth who want to join the program, will need to apply at the end of the current ski season, to begin the program as a Year 1 Young Adult Patroller in the upcoming season.
In order to join the Young Adult Program for the 2026-2027 winter season, participants must be meet the following criteria:
• Age 15 before December 31, 2026
• Ability to navigate Skeetawk lift accessible terrain with confidence
To be apply for selection, applicants must complete the following:
- • Submit an online application using the link below by 2100 on Apr 4, 2026
- • Attend the interest meeting on Apr 5, 2026 at 1500 at Skeetawk
- • Attend the on-hill ski/snowboard skills assessment on April 12, 2026, at 1300 at Skeetawk
expectations
This two year program is broken down based on which year the participant is in, please note the level of commitment that this program requires:
Year one (1) of the program is focused on the introduction to on-hill mechanics. Students work on their skiing ability, mountain set-up/teardown, and all other ski patrol duties while collaborating as a team with certified ski patrollers. These mechanics can include, but are not limited to:
- • Rope work
- • Toboggan transport
- • Lift evacuation and rescue
- • Terrain safety
- • Radio communication
- • Critical incident management skills
Year two (2) of the course is focused on the Outdoor Emergency Care Technician Course. Before class (skills session), students are required to complete the online modules and read the corresponding textbook chapters. Please note, this course plans to meet bi-weekly on evenings. More time can be introduced based on students’ support needs.
- Module 1 – Principles of Emergency Response
- Module 2 – Principles of Anatomy and Physiology
- In-Person – Professional Development*
- Module 3 – Principles of Assessment and Management
- Module 4 – Airway Management and Respiratory Emergencies
- In-Person – Professional Development*
- Module 5 – Heart and Cardiovascular Emergencies
- Module 6 – Principles of Trauma
- Module 7 – Musculoskeletal Injuries
- Module 8 – CNS, Head and Neck Injuries
- Module 9 – Thoracic And Abdominal Injuries
- Module 10 – Altered Mental Status
- Module 11 – Abdominal, Pelvic, and Obstetric Emergencies
- Module 12 – Environmental Emergencies
- Module 13 – Responding to Special Populations
- Module 14 – Transitioning Care
important dates
Please note these required dates apply only to those looking to join to the program in the 2026/2027 season.
- Application Deadline: Apr 4, 2026 by 21:00
- Mandatory Interest Meeing: Apr 5, 2026 15:00
- Mandatory On-hill Skills Tryouts: Apr 12, 2026 10:30
- Skeetawk 25/26 Orientation: November date TBD
- Volunteer Dates: In addition to the in-person skills sessions, accepted participants must sign up for a minimum of 10 volunteer days throughout the ski season each year of the program.
Jr Ski Patrol
- Class Length: 6 hours
- Class Cost: $50 per student
Skeetawk's Young Adult Patroller Program hosts Jr. Ski Patrol events where youth grouped by age (6-12 and 13-17) have the opportunity to shadow professional ski patrollers on the mountain. Jr. Patrollers learn mountain set up tasks and further their understanding of necessary patroller skills such as first aid, patient transport, and avalanche safety. Intermediate or higher Ski or Snowboard ability is required, and parents/guardians must sign a waiver for the youth to participate.
*No refunds or rebooking 72 hours prior to your sign up date.
Questions? Contact us at alps@skeetawk.com
