Spotting the red-clad ski patrollers around the Sun Peaks slopes can evoke a sense of safety and reassurance. There is always someone nearby for those in difficulties, plus a preventative team troubleshooting the terrain, ensuring that hazards are marked.
But beyond the crucial role patrollers play in ensuring the well-being of skiers and snowboarders and addressing emergencies, there is a lot more to the service which combines a crew of full-time paid patrollers, reinforced by a 35-strong team of part-time volunteers.
One of the films entered in ArtZone’s January Filmmaking Contest showcased Sun Peaks Ski Patrol. Devised by full-time patroller, Xander Hawes, it was a sneak-a-peek into their mountain of responsibilities.
“Some of my daily tasks are morning setup – setting up the slow and merge signs, catching the first chairlift and cleaning up all the bamboo rope lines,” Hawes said. “Then we start skiing all the runs to make sure no trees are down and everything is in working order. While doing all this we have at least one patroller at the top of every mountain to respond when we get a call.”
Now in his second season working as a ski patroller, Hawes said he has admired the service since childhood.
“I moved to Sun Peaks in 2017, went to the school up here for a while and had a blast growing up here in the village.”
Qualifying is a long process, starting with an 80-hour first aid course which he completed in Kamloops. Further training is conducted on-mountain, enhanced by avalanche training courses at Burnie Glacier Chalet in northwestern B.C.
“My CAA level one avalanche operations course was really fun,” he said. “Some of the main topics were studying snow and weather through various methods. We did a lot of touring and flying in the helicopter.”
Last summer Hawes worked trail crew, bike patrol and trained with Sun Peaks Fire Rescue.
“My future goals are to complete my firefighting training with Sun Peaks and maybe get into ski guiding. Ski patrol and volunteer firefighting have opened up tons of doors so I’m not sure what the future holds, but I’m really enjoying the journey!”
While always on hand to help others, Hawes spends his winter work days appreciating the slopes, the scenery and the skiing.
“My biggest reason is to brighten people’s day, even when their day has taken a turn, I want to improve it as much as I can.”
Occasional leisurely lunchtimes offer him the opportunity to create vibrant video footage as well.
“It started with showing my friends and family what I’m doing that day, but it’s been picking up from there. I…have done some ski patrol videos for Sun Peaks.”
A vital adjunct to the Sun Peaks Ski Patrol is the dedicated troupe of Canadian Ski Patrol (CSP) volunteers.
“The team of volunteer patrollers are a huge help,” Hawes explained. “They do a lot of their own training but will come by mostly on the weekends to help us keep the mountain safe. It’s awesome working with them and they’re just as stoked to learn and have fun as we are!”
Currently the patrol lead for Sun Peaks CSP, Aut-Lin Foster is in his fifth season of patrol volunteering.
“What appealed to me the most when deciding to join volunteer patrol was being able to ski while I volunteered and becoming more involved with the day-to-day operations of the mountain while out on patrol,” he recalled. “Learning first aid skills was also a huge appeal of joining.”
The path is the same for all new recruits. After qualifying for the advanced first aid certificate, they spend four days on-hill at the beginning of the season to become certified to run the toboggans.
“Returning members go through a recertification every season,” Foster added. The next stage is shadowing a more senior volunteer patroller. Through a series of “first in” experiences, the newbies become more skilled and confident in handling emergency calls.
All volunteer patrollers make a 100-hour commitment for the season, Foster said, which works out to approximately one shift every other weekend, either Saturday or Sunday, based on a 10 hour day.
“We participate in any normal task a paid patroller participates in – frost routes in the mornings, run checks throughout the day, helping with chores, and sweeps at the end of the day to name a few.”
For regular returnees, there are opportunities to step into instructing roles within CSP or positions on the board for the Sun Peaks zone.
“I just last season obtained my on-snow Instructor certification and was helping train all of the new recruits this year during our on-snow training weekends,” says Foster. “I just took on the role of patrol leader this season, however for the last four seasons I have had the role of recruitment & registration – and still hold this role.”
The 20 year-plus relationship between CSP and the Sun Peaks paid patrol service has been seamless, Foster said.
“We work side-by-side as equals while out on the mountain and in a way that we are all just ‘ski patrol’ to the general public.”
The difference is more behind-the-scenes, in supervisory situations and certain advanced treatment protocols.
While some of the grunt work, such as marking hazards and setting up fencing in – 30 C temperatures can be arduous, it is the ability to give back to the community that appeals to Foster.
“Volunteer ski patrol through CSP is a great way for me to help those that are on the mountain, whether it be a medical emergency or helping them with directions.”
At the end of a rewarding day’s work, the CSP volunteers get together for socializing.
“I’ve made it a point that at the end of the shift that I’m on that we all meet up for après right after our shift and, come springtime, that will transition to parking lot barbecues when it’s nice out,” Foster said.
Along with the free season pass and staff discounts in return for this volunteerism, another patroller perk is nabbing first tracks in the freshest snow of the day, often illuminated by the sunrise spectacular over the peaks.
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