Newsgroups: rec.skiing

            The rec.skiing Frequently Asked Questions List
                              -or-
   Everything you always wanted to know about skiing and were *just* about
   to ask by posting.

   The rec.skiing FAQ is a work in progress and is maintained by glen
   baker (glenb@sr.hp.com) Additions and corrections to the FAQ are 
   welcome. If you have an addition or correction to make please take the
   time to write it out in the format of the FAQ so that I don't have
   to try to figure out how to say what you're trying to say!


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   *       REALLY IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER STUFF!!               *
   *     -------------------------------------               *
   * The rec.skiing FAQ is a compendium of questions and     *
   * answers that frequently appear on rec.skiing. Neither   *
   * the contributors to the FAQ, the posters of the FAQ,    *
   * nor their employers make any claim whatsoever regarding *
   * the accuracy or safety of ANYTHING in the FAQ. Any item *
   * that may appear to be offering either medical or legal  *
   * advice is doing neither.                                *
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   Index:
       1) Welcome, Disclaimers, etc
       2) Alpine Equipment
       3) XC equipment/Info
       4) Clothing
       5) Technique
       6) Transportation
       7) Lodging
       8) Phone Numbers
       9) Miscellaneous
      10) Jobs
      11) Summit County
      12) Southern California
      13) Exercises
      14) National Ski Patrol
      15) Europe
      16) Lest we become too serious

 ------------- Section 14: National Ski Patrol -------------


14.01) "How do I join the National Ski Patrol?"

    The best thing to do is to contact the patrol at your favorite ski 
    area. Don't be shy, just ski up to any patroller and ask 'em how to
    join! 

    In many cases there will be some sort of "ski-off" in which you will 
    demonstrate your skiing ability. You will also be required to take
    a fairly intensive first aid course called WEC (Winter Emergency
    Care). WEC generally takes around 60 hours of instruction.

    Your first season will generally be a "candidate" year during which
    you will be trained in sled handling, hill procedures, and probably
    more first aid. Following this training there will usually be a 
    test which will include skiing, sled handling, and first-aid.


14.02) "What does the National Ski Patrol Do?"

    Lots. In general the NSP is about safety. This takes several forms.
   
     First-aid:
       If you hurt yourself, chances are that the person who will help
       you get to the doctor is a NSP member. We do *lots* of first-aid.
 
     Avalanche control/rescue:
       The National Ski Patrol provides training on avalanche control
       and avalanche rescue techniques. 

     Lift Evac:
       If the lift breaks down the person lowering you out of the chair
       will be a patroller.
       
     Hill Safety:
       The NSP is dedicated to promoting safe skiing. Marking obstacles,
       the ski area boundries, maintaining closures, etc. are all part
       of hill safety.
 
     Information:
       Generally the patrollers spend a lot of time just talking to 
       people on chairlifts, providing area information, and just plain
       trying to insure that everybody else is having as much fun as
       possible!     


14.03) "Why should I join the National Ski Patrol?"

       Well, to start with it's a very rewarding activity. Most of your
       "customers" are *really* glad to see you! In addition you'll 
       develop new skills, hone your skiing ability, be involved in a
       community service, and will be hanging around with a bunch of
       people who love to ski!
    
14.04) "Is it true that patrollers ski for free?"
    
       This depends entirely on the hill. It also depends on your concept
       of the word "free". While it's true that patrollers don't pay
       for their tickets, it's equally true that we work like crazy
       for that benefit!

14.05) "What other benefits are there to joining the patrol?"  

       The National Ski Patrol is a Federally chartered non-profit 
       organization. As such your contributions to the patrol may be
       tax deductable (note the careful wording of this sentence...
       consult your accountant!). In addition, once you're on the 
       patrol you will generally find more "ins" with the skiing
       community...which means you have a better chance of finding
       pro-form deals on skis, bindings, boots, etc.