First tracks, skipping lift lines, wearing a red Helly Hansen coat, what more could a skier want? We all envy these guys; they ski every day, sometimes get called to save a person, and work maybe 4-6 days a week. However, this glory comes with a hefty workload and a price.

Bro! Let’s Get Paid To Ski.

Ever wake up at 4 am, drive two hours west, only to be second to the lift? Even though the red guy in front of you woke up 3 hours after you, he went through a rigorous process to hit the slopes. First, comes the application; you need to be a decent skier or boarder and have a CPR certification. Simple right? Well here is the catch: training. Small resorts with little terrain and low danger will train a potential ski patrol for three months. Large resorts such as Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creek, and Copper will sometimes train their patrols for up to two years. Training may occur once, twice, or three times a week, depending on the resort. After all of that time spent on training, you have to take what can be considered as a gnarly test; no, not a “shredding the gnar” test, an actual written test. Failure isn’t an option for this test because there are no retakes, you either get in or you don’t.

Why Do They Get To Cut The Line?

The question should really be, “Why don’t we cheer for them when they get on the lift?” Ski patrols have their work cut out for them. From the “gapers” on greens to backcountry extremists, each call has to be taken seriously. Physical fitness is one of the largest parts of being a member of this team. Otherwise, who’s going to get you to safety when you are stuck in three feet of powder? They first have to make sure you are okay, checking for shock, frostbite, signs of hypothermia, neck or back injuries, and any fractures or broken bones.

Let’s set the scene: you are on a steep slope, tweaked your knee in some powder, and now your meniscus is badly torn. Two guys in red coats show up after getting a call that someone was hurt in the Imperial bowl. After going through vitals and checking you with virtually everything in their heavy backpack, they begin to transition you into the toboggan. After straightening you out, you are wrapped in a yellow plastic. Panic sets in as you think of worst case scenarios such as, “Maybe this yellow plastic is what I’ll  die in.” The ski patrol towing you has to go S-turn pizza all the way down the hill, so this may be a long ride. The guy from behind has to stabilize the sled and make sure you remain calm. This patrol is your friend, have trust in these guys, and they will get you down safely.

What Happens When They Get Me Down?

If you are a Ski Patrol, but for some reason don’t ski, you’re not out of luck. Usually, they have on-site medical stations that non-skier ski patrols work at. This is your next stage with your knee. First, they will go through standard medical procedures. But before they begin, don’t forget to give those guys huge thanks for bringing you down the mountain, they could be ditching you to help a 300 pound Jerry get out of a snow drift. Anyways, they may have to cut away some of your nice gear not to injure you anymore. This may not happen with a knee injury, but with a broken leg, you can kiss those Volcom snow pants goodbye. After evaluating your injury, you might either be patched up, scooted out, or sent to the nearest hospital.

Those Guys Must Make Bank!

The Ski Patrol are practically volunteers, and their salaries depend on the ski resort itself. Some only make 10 dollars an hour. It’s difficult to imagine an 8-hour long day of skiing, working 4-6 days a week, and barely getting paid. That wage is not going to buy an extraordinary place in the resort town. Then, why do people become a part of ski patrol? Maybe it’s because they desire to help everyone stay safe on the slopes. Possibly, they want to gain experience in the medical field in order to move up in the ranks. Most likely, it’s the fact that they get to slice through fresh snow on a bright and early morning on the slopes. So the next time you and your friends hit the slopes, take the time to appreciate the unsung heroes in the red jacket.