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About the Bristol Mountain Ski Patrol

The Bristol Mt. Ski Patrol (BMSP) is a group of people (volunteers) who above all, love to ski, snowboard, and telemark, and share the joy of the sport with others, while we promote safety and provide credentialed outdoor emergency care, in accordance with National Ski Patrol guidelines. BMSP members come from all walks of life, and spend countless hours in training before becoming active Patrollers.

The primary purpose for the ski area patrol is Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) and timely transportation services as needed by Bristol's patrons. Additionally, the patrol function is to educate the skiing/snowboarding public to assure awareness of their responsibilities on the mountain, with regard to courtesy and safe skiing practices, while still being able to enjoy all aspects of the sport.

Each on-duty patroller and courtesy staff person carries a radio, so everyone is kept up to date in the event of a problem. Rescue toboggans are stationed in multiple locations around the area, with two hilltop buildings and a base facility that contain additional equipment, including oxygen, defibrillator, evacuation ropes, and other medical supplies that may be required in special situations.

Why do so many become patrollers?

For the most part, it's because it gives us a chance to do things we really love: spend time on the slopes with a great group of folks, help people who need us, and educate a few more so that it will be more fun for everyone who participates. It's not always easy, and sometimes the weather and other circumstances make it less than fun, but we almost always keep coming back. You may end up skiing when you wouldn't go unless you had to be there, and lo and behold, the conditions are awesome and you're loving it! Ski patrol is a great way to meet a lot of people who share a love of the outdoors.

What Happens with An Accident Notification?

When we receive a report of an accident, a patroller is immediately dispatched to the site to evaluate the seriousness of the situation and request the appropriate equipment, toboggan, and/or additional patrollers to assist, as required. If you witness an accident, please report it to the nearest Bristol employee and please make sure to accurately identify the trail name and approximate location. Please do NOT call 911, as this may result in an ambulance being dispatched unnecessarily, and tying up equipment that may be needed elsewhere in the community. Two ambulance services cover our area, along with Mercy Flight, and we will utilize them when necessary.

Interested in joining the Patrol?

Considerable commitment and training are required for membership in the Bristol Mountain Ski Patrol.   On-the-hill patrollers must exhibit above average ski abilities, with and without the toboggan.   A "ski-off" is held in March to assess each candidate's skiing ability.   
Skiing and Toboggan (S&T) training takes place at the beginning of the following ski season, from mid-December to end of January.  Training is followed by a final on-hill test.    
Many hours of first aid training must be completed, as well as written and practical exams.   The National Ski Patrol sponsored Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) program runs from August to November.   Classes meet 2-3 times/week, averaging 3-4 hours per class.   Everyone who wants to be a patroller, even medical professionals, must take the OEC course.  
Each year all patrollers must participate in several refreshers before the start of the new season: CPR & AED; an on-the-hill refresher at Bristol including staged accident situations; an all-day OEC refresher where we review all aspects of our training; a blackout evacuation drill; and a toboggan-handling and ski skills check-off. Every patroller has an assigned schedule - some patrollers work day shifts only (8-hours) once a week. The majority of the members work a 4-hour night shift every week and an 8-hour shift every other weekend.  There is a 60-hour minimum requirement per season; most of us work in excess of 100 hours. There are required patrol meetings, and on-going training through the season as new equipment becomes available. 
If you think you'd like to join us, please stop by the patrol building at the base, and let us know you're interested!