You must complete this course, and pass a written and practical exam to qualify. This first aid course is very close to an EMT level course and is very rigorous. Some Patrols have already started their OEC candidate training courses. Again, contact the Patrol Directors at each area to find out about specific qualifications and requirements each individual ski patrol is looking for. There may also be other requirements to joining a specific patrol which are dictated by ski area employee policies, insurance requirements, ski patrol policies, or other mitigating circumstances.
Many areas have non-smoking policies.
You can see that while the National Ski Patrol is an organization with national standards, the requirements of specific ski areas results in a variety of individual patrols. Contact the Patrol Director of a specific ski area, to learn their exact requirements. The following ski areas are currently looking for ski patrol candidates. Just because a ski patrol is not listed here, does not necessarily mean they would not be interested in hearing from qualified applicants. Do not hesitate to call a specific patrol to ask about becoming a patroller.