Requirements To Become A Member Of The Wisp Ski Patrol

  1. To be a candidate/trainee for the Wisp Ski Patrol you must successfully complete the following educational courses:

    1. 1. Outdoor Emergency Care, which is the educational program overseen by the National Ski Patrol System.
    2. 2. American Heart Association or American Red Cross Healthcare Provider CPR and use of the AED.
    3. 3. Maryland First Responder (or higher), which minimum training and testing is provided via Wisp Ski Patrol in cooperation with the State of Maryland.


    Wisp Ski Patrol runs an Outdoor Emergency Care course in the fall/winter which generally runs for three months and meets once a week, with occasional weekend "practicals." Some commuting may be involved, depending on your location.

  2. We schedule the patrollers and candidates for 14 days per season, (7 weekends or 14 weeknights), basing the schedule on input from each individual patroller / candidate. Candidates participate in regular on-the-hill training sessions which include skiing or boarding techniques and specialized skills, toboggan handling, and first aid training. These sessions are held every Saturday and Sunday and at least one weekday evening for the duration of the season.

  3. Candidates, as well as patrollers, are required to participate in one fund-raising activity per year, must attend an annual first aid refresher, and complete various other requirements, including chairlift evacuation training, off-hill rescue techniques, and other necessary outdoor emergency care skills.

    At the end of each season we hold evaluations in these various skills to determine if candidates have attained patroller/auxiliary level.

    The candidate training program is designed to be a two year program. However, depending on a candidate's skill level and the amount of training sessions attended, the program can be completed within one year. Candidates do receive a free ski pass for use during patroller activities only. Once a candidate becomes a patroller, there are expanded benefits.

    The candidate program involves a commitment of both time and effort but is balanced by the acquisition of new skills in first aid & improvement in skiing or boarding technique, gaining new friends, and last, but certainly not least, the satisfaction of performing a valued public service.