So, You Want to be a Ski or Snowboard Patroller
The Mt. Holly Ski Patrol is always looking for a few good patrol candidates. We are willing to accept experienced patrollers with current credentials and good references as transfers from other areas. We also accept “raw recruits” into our two-year training program.
Mt. Holly patrollers are an all-volunteer force. They pay dues to belong to the organization (currently $67 per year total: $41 national NSP dues, $13 Central Division dues, $11 Eastern Michigan Region dues, $2 section EM-3 dues, $0 local dues). They also provide their own uniforms and ski equipment. The Mt. Holly Ski Patrol provides training supplies and radio equipment from the funds derived from our annual fund raisers — the Mt. Holly Ski Patrol Ski Swap and the Holly Renaissance Festival. The Mt. Holly Ski Area provides building space and operating equipment: rescue toboggans, first aid supplies, aerial lift evacuation gear, transport vehicles, etc. In return for patrolling activities, area management also allows patrollers (not candidates) and their immediate family members to ski free.
During the ski season, Mt. Holly Patrollers are assigned to one weekday shift per week and one weekend shift every other week, or the equivalent. During the off season, patrollers attend clinics, training courses and refreshers to maintain and improve their skills. Many patrollers participate as trainers or in committees or work parties doing the administrative and maintenance work which is necessary for a volunteer organization to function. Most patrollers put in 200 hours or more of activity on and off the hill each season.
Candidates are selected annually in February. They are chosen based on their attitude as demonstrated by an interview with the selection committee and on their ability to learn skiing or snowboarding and rescue toboggan operation as demonstrated to a team of trainers/evaluators during a “ski along.” Current skiing or snowboarding level of skill is not as important as the lack of bad habits and ability to learn skills quickly and correctly. The ski patrol will provide all required training in skiing or snowboarding, on-slope rescue skills, aerial lift evacuation skills, and winter emergency care skills. The candidate will pay for all training courses and course materials. Candidacy lasts two years and during this time, the candidate will be expected to work a regular duty shift along with regular patrollers as well as attend a training night and all required courses and examinations.
If you are interested in becoming a patroller, please contact Patrol Director Leon (LJ) LaVene at the patrol building (248) 634-7856 or by email at Want to join. Please also plan on attending our open house in February at the Patrol Building to learn more about the ski patrol and complete an application form. Also plan to attend the MHSP Tryouts for new candidates in the days following the Open house. These include a ski -along with the training staff and an interview with the selection committee. Be sure to ask the Patrol Director for the schedule for these events.
You can pick up an application in the patrol building or use the one posted here (in MSword format).
