Ski Patrol Training Courses
Pre-requirements for training course
- Minimum age of 18
- A minimum of an adult standard first aid certificate - 4 day H.S.E. First aid at Work, 4 day BASP Standard or 4 day Mountain First Aid.
- Competent parallel skier in a variety of conditions * (see note)
- Membership of BASP - download our membership form to print out, complete and send to us (fee included in price of course).
- Winter mountain skills would be an advantage
- Cost £150 non-residential
Ski Patrol Training Scheme
- At the end of the training week, the candidate will be issued with a log book.
- A candidate with the relevant prerequisites to join the training scheme attends a 5 day course held annually- ski patrol training course. They must then attend a Ski Test with the chief of ski patrol of the patrol which they wish to train with. The test is not to determine the candidates' skiing style but they must satisfy the chief of patrol that they can ski confidently and safely in all conditions. The candidate is then a Trainee.
- The Trainee must log a minimum of 100 hours in the company of qualified patrollers. These hours are to be spent gaining hands on experience and being trained and assessed in the various sections of the Log Book. Once the log book sections have been successfully completed the Trainee becomes a Probationary Patroller.
- The Probationary Patroller works under the supervision of senior patrollers and must successfully complete the requisite log book sections over a further 2 seasons (minimum of 30 days per season) . Upon successful completion the Probationary Patroller is graded as a National Patroller.
- National Patroller provides the individual with the necessary skills to deal with day to day situations and to assist with any more unusual occurrence, difficult evacuations etc.
- The three sections of Avalanche, Mountain Craft and EMT should be taken and revalidated at regular intervals. These modules can be undertaken before National status is achieved.
*Should be able to ski parallel turns in easier terrain, ski in control on steeper terrain. Make a no fall controlled descent of a red run showing consideration to other skiers. Make a non-stop descent of a blue run showing consideration to other skiers. Ski in control down a mogul field for at least 100 metres. Choose a route on easier terrain showing sensible choice of line and good awareness of hazards. Be able to navigate from point to point using a resort map.
Ski Patrol Training course programme
Monday
Ski Patrol Training System, Meet Ski Patrol - Resort Director, Accident Procedure, Basic Life Support, Defibrillation, Oxygen, Bag valve Mask, Entonox
Tuesday
Splints, Collars, Vacuum Mattress, Casualty Lifting and Handling, Evacuation Systems, Navigation
Wednesday
Winter Skills - Ice axe, crampons, self arrest, belay systems, Basic Avalanche Awareness, Navigation
Thursday
Ski area Signs and Safety, Skiing, Outdoor Practical for Accident Procedure, Evacuation and Mountain craft
Friday
Morning - practical Outdoor Scenarios and review of the week. Afternoon -Review of the Training System, Issue and signing of Log Books
Note to candidates
Whilst the BASP Training course encompasses all the pre-requisites for Ski Patrolling in Scotland, we must state that successful attendance of the course does not mean that the candidate will be offered employment with any of the ski resorts. However most of the Ski Patrol Directors will be present at some point during the course. This will allow students seeking employment, time to approach these Directors for guidance in the matter of employment prospects, voluntary patrolling etc.
Logbook
At the end of the training week, the candidate will be issued with a log book.
View the logbook (PDF 259k)