Thursday, January 27, 2022

Just Reminiscing 


From 2006 through 2017,  I worked for Park City Mountain Resort. The first two years I was a full time Ski patroller. The rest of the years I was a member of the volunteer ski patrol at PCMR, working Saturdays. So many great memories from those days. From 2011 on,  I worked the upper mountain rotation exclusively. The mountain is divided into two sections. The lower mountain, which is primarily novice and intermediate terrain and the upper mountain where you'll find the majority of runs are intermediate through expert terrain. The upper mountain rotation requires teams to perform avalanche control and general snow safely work. This includes handling explosives, and utilizing the many skill sets needed to maintain the safety of the ski area, especially during storm cycles. 

All ski patrollers are required to be trained and certified as OEC (outdoor emergency care) technicians, or have other required medical certificates. Though the majority of skier related accidents occur in the lower mountain area, the accidents that happen in the upper mountain tend to be more serious requiring complicated extrication at times. Most teams at PCMR consisted of four patrollers, of which one is the designated team leader. The team leaders job was to direct the activities of the day and be the glue that bonds the team. I was fortunate to be the team leader four years during this period, with the same  amazing crew the whole time. 

Great times, great memories!