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The CSPS is a National, Non-Profit, Charitable Organization.
We provide safety and rescue services in ski areas and at events all across Canada.
 Our Volunteers...
Number more than 5000 members coast to coast.
Are mostly (but not limited to) downhill skiers,
telemarkers, snowboarders, and cross country skiers.
Range from 18 to 80 + years old.
Are men and women, students and professionals, from all walks of life.
Give their time to help those in need at ski areas and events all across Canada.
Provide volunteer first-aid services at many non skiing events through out the summer.
Partner with other organisations to provide first-aid services at community events.
Our Strengths...
An Advanced First Aid course like no other, including
Federal and Provincial accredited training program
Incident Site Management and Patient transport.
Chair Lift evacuation procedures.
Basic Life Support (CPR) Health Care Provider Level "C"
Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) training.
Oxygen therapy and Basic Airway Management.
Avalanche specific search and rescue techniques in conjunction with the CAA (Canadian Avalanche Association).
CSPS certified trainers with a National Instructor Certification program.
The Benefits of Membership...
Courtesy memberships while we patrol at our home ski area
Exchange programs and visitation privileges between local, provincial, national and international patrols and organizations.
Local and national discounts on ski equipment and supplies.
Belonging to an organization where you can have lots of fun, make lifelong friendships, and feel great about helping someone in need.
A Year in the Life of a CSPS Patroller
August / September:
Recruiting new volunteers is a year-long adventure but it really comes to a head in August and September. The weather cools, leaves change, and we start thinking about the upcoming ski season.
October / November:
Each fall the CSPS patroller completes an Advanced First Aid certification (52 hours for new patrollers) or an annual re-certification (20 hours for returning patrollers). We all complete national written and practical exams. The CSPS completes annual BLS certification.
December/January:
Once the snow falls and the slopes / trails open for the season, you will complete your on-snow training and qualify as an active member of the CSPS (approx 16 hours)then re-qualify as a returning patroller every three years.
You'll learn and practice rescue toboggan handling, incident site management, On trail communications, and lift evacuation procedures.
December to April:
Get out there and get some freshies... This is serious fun after all.
May/June:
The dedicated patrollers who provided your first aid training last fall are now very busy doing their own Instructor Certification Program. If you are interested in becoming an Assistant Instructor, this is when you can expect to take a course in your area.
May to August (Ahhhh.... summer)
Our first aid kits and trauma packs are still pretty busy. During the summer months, We all need some much needed R&R, but let's not kid ourselves... This is what we do for fun!!
The CSPS provides first aid services at many local 4 seasons events including marathons, bike races, fundraising events, sporting tournaments and so on. Check what events are supported in your area through your local CSPS contacts.
August:
The cycle begins again with a new patrolling season
Okay! I have enough information.
How can I volunteer with the CSPS?
A typical duty day for the Ski Patrol
08:30 - Morning Sweep
Check toboggan caches, trauma kits, oxygen tanks...
Make first tracks on the runs while checking for any hazardous conditions or items that need to be addressed...
Allow the general public to partake in the fresh powder on the slopes.
08:30 - 12:00 - On Patrol
Once the slopes are open to the public we can ski in small groups of patrollers, with friends, other clients or even with our family if we wish to.
We socialize with ski area clientele, promote our ski area and provide safety tips to customers while we ride the lifts and ski the runs at our area. This puts the ski in ski patrolling!
12:00 - 13:00
Although everyone won't be able to eat at the same time, you will get a break for some sustenance. Skiing and bringing toboggans down the hill
make folks pretty hungry and you'll need to take advantage of this break to recharge your batteries with some food!
13:00 - Closing - Still on Patrol
Accidents can happen throughout the day they seem to be most prominent after lunch through to closing time.
It's almost like car accidents that statistically happen closest to home; skiing accidents tend to happen closest to going home.
When snow sport enthusiasts get injured somewhere in the area, we are the people they count on. We work in teams to immobilize any injury they may sustain and safely move the injured person to the Patrol hut at the bottom of the mountain.
Depending on the severity of their injuries, they will then be released or sent for further medical attention.
That's not all though
during the day we provide many other services too
we reassure children that may be lost, helping them to find their parents; we guide people to runs they are capable of skiing and we provide many tidbits of information to the public.
Wearing a Ski Patrol uniform means we should know and represent out ski area well and be able to answer lots of queries, not just provide accident assistance. Helping people is the most gratifying part of being a patroller.
Closing - End of Day Sweep
We take the last run down each trail to make sure that no one is left behind at the end of the day.
During this "sweep" of the hill, we also take note of any safety issues that may have arisen during the day that will require correction prior to opening the slopes the following day. The Ski Patrol is first on and last off the hill!
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