Nordic Ski Patrol

LINK TO THE REQUEST FOR SKI PATROL COVERAGE FORM: Request For Ski Patrol Coverage Form

LINK TO THE CALEDONIA NORDIC EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN: Emergency Action Plan

The ski patrollers at Otway are members of the Canadian Ski Patrol System. The C.S.P.S. has about 5500 members providing first aid services at ski areas right across Canada. The Prince George Zone has about 110 patrollers, making us one of the larger Zones in the system.

The Nordic patrol has been as large as 10 full-time Nordic patrollers and as small as 1 patroller. In the lean year, we have had help from alpine patrollers who are just starting to see the light. In 2007, there are 4 full-time patrollers.

During the season, our commitment to the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club is to provide our services for the JackRabbit sessions and all competitive events. We are also out on weekends when there are no races, in case a Saturday JackRabbit class or the general public requires our services. A typical day has us giving directions and TLC far more than giving first aid, as the most common question is "How do I get to the parking lot from here?" Of course, you also get to wear a really snappy jacket and tights.

Besides the annual first aid training, the Nordic patrollers will spend a half-day training in site-specific skills, such as snowmobile and toboggan handling, radio operation, rope work, and shelter building.

The patrollers get together during the off-season as well. Many of the Otway skiers are also members of the PG Road Runners Club. Through the patrol involvement at Otway, we have also become a part of the Summer race series, riding our bikes along with the races, providing encouragement, water, and if required, a bit of TLC.

This may sound like a lot of work (and it can be). However, it is also a LOT OF FUN!!! The patrollers are a great bunch of people (even the alpine ones) and the feeling you get is second to none when you help a fellow skier who is in trouble or hurt.

We are always interested in having more patrollers join the group. Before joining the C.S.P.S., you should know what commitment is required.

In Sept. - Oct., all patrollers certify in their first aid skills. The P.G. Zone runs a course for new patrollers at the Hart Ski Hill (6 weeks, 2 nights per week) as well as a recertification course for patrollers with three years or more in the system. The full course is an all-encompassing first aid course plus a Level C CPR. If you have an OFA Level III or higher and use it in your job, you may be eligible to take the recertification course. Patrollers in the country must pass their exams every year. This ensures the high standard of care we have established over the years continues each new season.

If this sounds appealing at all, talk to one of the patrollers the next time you're skiing at Otway. For more information:

Phone:	Call Jeff @ 563-4532
Email:	cnscoffice@telus.net
Mail:	Nordic Patrol c/o Caledonia Nordic Ski Club P.O. Box 1243 Prince George, B.C. V2L 4V3