Western Region Ski Patrollers!

Check out the great opportunities this season for Ski Enhancement Seminars (SES) and Toboggan Enhancement Seminars (TES) on the Western Region Web site:
http://www.nspwr.org

Spirit Mountain held a SES and TES on Dec 12 and 13. It was awesome with 5 instructors and 35 participants each day. Lots of information and learning by all.

Upcoming Events: All events begin at 9:00 (8:30 registration) till 3:30 approx.

SES
Jan 10 – Mt. Christie
Jan 17 – Buck Hill
Jan 23 – Buena Vista
Feb 21 – Welch
Feb 27 – Lutsen

TES
Jan 24 – Powder Ridge
Jan 31 – Mt. Kato
Feb 28 – Lutsen

Sign up early so we have the correct instructor ratio!!!! Snowboard and Telemark clinics are also available. Check Web site notes or email cjmcleod@d.umn.edu with your request.

Register now at:
http://www.d.umn.edu/~nspscdwr/calendar2009_2010.php

Thanks,
Jim and Cindy McLeod at cjmcleod@d.umn.edu

Ron Sluka at rsluka@d.umn.edu

Reminder of upcoming Instructor Development course at Buck Hill, Jan.12/19th.

This is a reminder of the Instructor Development course at Buck Hill to be held on two consecutive Tuesdays–January 12th the first half and January 19th the second half of the course.

We will begin at 6:00 p.m. each evening.

This course is a requirement for anyone who wishes to become an instructor in any of the NSP Disciplines (MTR, Transportation, OEC, Avalanche, and Instructor Development).

For details and for online registration see the Region Website Calendar:
http://www.d.umn.edu/~nspscdwr/calendar2009_2010.php

Thanks!

Bob Iverson
ivers043@umn.edu

What’s up?

We’re up and running! The Dopplmayr opened today, and the Rail Yard is filled with snowboarders and skiers doing their best tricks and stunts! We are open on Christmas Day for the first time in 10 years! There is lots of training being offered at Buck Hill and at other areas around the Region. Please check it out and see how you can be involved! Its fun to check out other place and see what they do for patrolling!

Training

Assistant Patrol Director – Training: Tony Anthonisen (612)743-7555

Ski/Toboggan: MaryBeth Gullickson (651)206-5072

OEC Basic: Lisa Borneman and John Bukowski (612)729-8762 and (651)688-8879

OEC Senior: Tim Elness at (612)724-1044

CPR: Lisa Borneman at (612)729-8762

Winter Chair Evac Refresher – If you had to miss our fall Chair Evac refresher in November on a lovely warm day, your chance to make it up is coming quickly!! ANY patroller is welcome to attend, but if you missed our refresher you are expected to be in attendance. Remember that this is an area requirement in order for you to patrol.

Meet our new Mountain Guides! – On December 9^th six new Mountain Guides joined us! Adam Alderman, Ryan Mahoney, Bill Marks, Eileen Kelly, Brian Foley, and Robert Vandenbos have begun their training. When you see them, please extend a warm welcome! We look forward to having them be a part of our patrol!

Senior Evaluator’s Clinic – Senior training is beginning! All Senior Ski/Toboggan Instructors are invited to participate in the Senior Evaluator’s Clinic being held at Wild Mountain on January 2^nd and 3^rd. If you would like to evaluate at this year’s Senior evaluation, please go to the Western Region website at www.nspwr.org at sign up for the evaluator’s clinic! Your help is needed!

Senior Pre-courses – The first Senior pre-course is being held at Giant’s Ridge on January 9^th. Go to the Western Region website to sign up!

Ski Enhancement Seminar (SES) – There will be an SES held at Buck Hill on Sunday morning, January 17^th. Sign up now at www.nspwr.org to reserve your spot! This clinic is designed for any patroller who would like to improve their skiing technique and skills! See you there!

Mountain Travel and Rescue (MTR) – An MTR course will be held at Christie Mountain on January 16^th and 17^th! Registration is due before 12/31 and cost is $25. See the Region website (www.nspwr.org) to sign up!

Instructor Development – Buck Hill will be hosting an Instructor Development course on two consecutive Tuesday evenings January 12^th and 19^th. If you are interested in becoming an instructor in CPR, OEC, Toboggan, or Chair Evac, please go to the Western Region website to sign up. This course is open to anyone!

Check the Region Calendar – Check the Region calendar at www.nspwr.org to look up training or other region information. This calendar is updated weekly and is considered the most accurate for events coming up. There is so much good stuff – don’t miss out!

Operations

Assistant Patrol Director – Operations: Scott Thulien (952)898-5489

Scheduling: Lisa Borneman (612)729-8762

Chair Evacuation: Tad Conroy (651)247-2624

Team Leader’s Meeting – Team Leaders will meet again in January! Scott Thulien will announce the date shortly. Please stay tuned and plan to attend! See you there!

Employee Injuries – When an employee of the area is injured on their work shift, please contact the area management person on site to inform them of the problem. Fill out an incident form as we do for anyone. Take all necessary medical actions. Thanks everyone!

Supplies – Please use the white-board in the treatment area to let us know when supplies are getting low. It is also important to write down when O2 tanks are empty, so that they can be re-filled quickly. When the drawers in the treatment area are low on supplies, please check the cabinet in the locker room for replacement supplies. All Team Leaders are able to access the locked supply cabinet at any time. Just remember to let Scott know when supplies are low!

BHSP Website! – It is up and running!!! Go to www.buckhillskipatrol.org to see what’s there! We now have a PayPal account for your benefit. If you want to pay dues or know someone who wishes to make a donation to the patrol, it is quick and easy! Thank you to Macy Seymour for all his hard work on this project! If you would like to be involved in helping to keep this updated, please contact Kerstin.

Roster Updates – If you have new or updated contact information, please email Kerstin Hammarberg at bhsp-pd@hotmail.com to provide updates. Remember to update your contact information with the NSP at www.nsp.org in order to keep your information coming to the correct address!

Other news…

Looking for Rusty! There will be a host of activities Thursday, December 31^st. We are looking for someone to play the role of Rusty, the Ski Patrol mascot! Yes, you can be on skis or your board! If you are interested, please contact Kerstin right away at bshp-pd@hotmail.com so you can get the details!

New Year’s Eve Celebration – Again, this year, Buck Hill is planning an extravaganza for New Year’s Eve! Thursday, December 31^st bring your family and friends to ski and ride at Buck Hill! The area will be open until 11pm for guests. At midnight a fantastic display of fireworks will be shot off from the top of the hill. Join in the fun!

Patroller’s Updates – These Patroller’s Updates will be published bi-weekly through the season and emailed to our patrol as well as posted in the patrol room. If you have any information to be included, or kudos to share with all, please email Kerstin at bhsp-pd@hotmail.com with the information.

Tons of Training! There is so much information on the Western Region website that I can’t fit it all on here! Go to the Region website at www.nspwr.org to check out all the great things going on!

Christmas Day!! We are open on Christmas Day for the first time in 10 years. Hours of operations will be 12noon until 10pm. If you are available and would be willing to patrol, we are looking for your help! It may be a great opportunity for you to bring your family out and ski! Thank you for your help!

Attached is a link to an article/video on WCCO about Buck Hill.

http://wcco.com/findingminnesota/buck.hill.ski.2.1382300.html

National Ski Patrol November 24, 2009

NSP Board of Directors Election Closes on Dec. 1: Please Vote! The 2009 NSP Board of Directors Election will close on Dec. 1 at midnight (Mountain Time).  Please be sure to cast your vote on-line at: https://eballot.votenet.com/nsp/. You’ll need your 6-digit member ID# and last name to log-on. Eight candidates are vying for four open Board seats. Each candidate’s platform statement can be viewed when you log on to vote and also at the links below. VOTE NOW! Candidate Platform Statements Candidate Applications

Greetings all!
Just a reminder that this week we have our first shifts! (No, there is no snow YET! – It’s starting to look like a desert out there.)

As a reminder:

• Sunday shifts, please plan to be at Buck on Sunday 11/15 from 12-2pm
• Monday-Friday shifts, please plan to be at Buck the evening of your shift from 7-9pm
• Saturday shifts, please plan to be at Buck on Saturday 11/21 from 12-2pm
• Day shift, please attend any of the other times at your convenience

If you cannot make your regular shift, please come to any of the other times!

Bring with you: Your fanny pack and enthusiasm for the beginning of a new season!

See you at the hill!
Kerstin

Kerstin Hammarberg Patrol Director Buck Hill Ski Patrol bhsp-pd@hotmail.com

What’s up?

Changes, changes, changes! A new season always brings change to our patrol. This can have mixed feelings. We get used to how things are and now some things will be different. First, I must say: THANK YOU!! to Jeff Gullickson for all his incredible teaching for our Basic on-hill training! THANK YOU!! to Elliott Wienstien for all his leadership in our Basic OEC program!!! THANK YOU!! to Davide Friedman for all his efforts in our evac program!!! Without their leadership in each role, our patrol would not have the same level of quality we now know. THANK YOU!!! Keep reading to see who will step into these shoes! We will have our refresher later than we ever have due to Frightmares at Buck Hill. Be prepared for colder weather – but who knows?? Look below for more information!

Training

Assistant Patrol Director – Training: Tony Anthonisen (612)743-7555

Ski/Toboggan: MaryBeth Gullickson (651)206-5072

OEC Basic: Lisa Borneman and John Bukowski (612)729-8762 and (651)688-8879

OEC Senior: Tim Elness at (612)724-1044

CPR: Lisa Borneman at (612)729-8762

Fall OEC/Chair Evac Refreshers – Mark your calendars! Saturday, November 7^th we will hold our annual OEC refresher at Buck Hill. On Sunday, November 8^th we will hold our annual Chair Evac refresher. Plan to be there! More information will be coming in September. If you are not able to make it to our refresher, contact another patrol in the Region to refresh with them. Remember, you are required to go through an OEC refresher, CPR refresher, and Chair Evac refresher in order to patrol. We will also have a box for notes to Joel Adams as he is in Afghanistan serving our country. Please consider brining a long or short note and we will send them to Joel. We hope to see you at Buck Hill in November!

New Basic OEC Coordinators! – It is a pleasure to formally announce that Lisa Borneman and John Bukowski have joined forces to run our fall Basic OEC course this season! They have been (and will be) in touch with the patrol to recruit instructors and helpers for the class. Please consider giving an evening or two to help with the Basic class! It’s a great way to get to know some of our newer members and its just fun!! Class will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-9:30pm. If you plan to come to help, be at the area by 7:15pm and check in with JB.

OEC Books Needed Right Away! – This fall will be the last year for the current OEC manual. With that information, the cost of the book almost doubled! In order to give our new candidates a break by not buying two books in one year, we are looking for patrollers to lend 10 OEC manuals to our candidates. If you are able to lend your book for the duration of the OEC class, please contact me right away! Thanks everyone!

New Basic On-Hill Coordinator! This winter we welcome MaryBeth Gullickson into the role of On-Hill Coordinator for the Basic On-Hill program!!! MB brings a wealth of experience to this role and she will need everyone’s support as we plan to welcome a new group of Mountain Guide candidates to our ranks! Stay tuned for more information on training!

Check the Region Calendar – Check the Region calendar at www.nspwr.org to look up training or other region information. This calendar is updated weekly and is considered the most accurate for events coming up. There is so much good stuff – don’t miss out!

Operations

Assistant Patrol Director – Operations: Scott Thulien (952)898-5489

Scheduling: Lisa Borneman (612)729-8762

Chair Evacuation: Tad Conroy (651)247-2624

New Chair Evac Lead Instructor! – Please congratulate Tad Conroy (Sunday afternoon patroller) in accepting the Instructor of Record role for our Chair Evac program! Help to support Tad as he learns the “ropes!”

Kick-Off Week! The week of November 15^th-21^st is designated as our Annual Kick-Off Week for the patrol. Please plan to show up for your first shift! On Sunday the 15^th all shifts will be expected from 12noon-2pm. Week night shifts will meet on their regural night from 6pm-7pm. Saturday shifts will meet from 10am-12noon on the 21^st. Day shift patrollers, please attend any one of the sessions which best fits your available time. Please bring your fanny packs so they may be restocked! Also, bring your patrol jackets for photos.

Team Leader’s Meeting – Stay tuned for upcoming information for Team Leaders!

Supplies – Please use the white-board in the treatment area to let us know when supplies are getting low. It is also important to write down when O2 tanks are empty, so that they can be re-filled quickly. When the drawers in the treatment area are low on supplies, please check the cabinet in the locker room for replacement supplies. All Team Leaders are able to access the locked supply cabinet at any time. Just remember to let Scott know when supplies are low!

BHSP Website! – It is up and running!!! Go to www.buckhillskipatrol.org to see what’s there! We now have a PayPal account for your benefit. If you want to pay dues or know someone who wishes to make a donation to the patrol, it is quick and easy! Thank you to Macy Seymour for all his hard work on this project! If you would like to be involved in helping to keep this updated, please contact Kerstin.

Roster Updates – If you have new or updated contact information, please email Kerstin Hammarberg at bhsp-pd@hotmail.com to provide updates. Remember to update your contact information with the NSP at www.nsp.org in order to keep your information coming to the correct address!

Other news…

FRIGHTMARES: Contact Don McClure (952-435-7174) if you are interested in helping (many paid roles!!) in this huge endeavor!! He is looking for patrollers who can provide first aid care during these events, people to be actors, food service, ticket sales, and many other roles! If you are not able to help, please spread the word and attend! Maybe take your family and friends for an evening at “Frightmares at Buck Hill!”

Patroller’s Updates – These Patroller’s Updates will be published bi-weekly through the season and emailed to our patrol as well as posted in the patrol room. If you have any information to be included, or kudos to share with all, please email Kerstin at bhsp-pd@hotmail.com with the information.

Here are the Refresher dates for CPR

Please reply to me with your date of choice. I am limiting class size to 12 unless otherwise noted.

Saturday Sept 19 – 9am-12pm

Wednesday Sept 23 – 6-9 pm

Saturday Oct 3 – 9am-12pm

Saturday Oct 17 – 9am-12pm

Monday Oct 26 – 6-9pm – this class will be limited to 9

Wednesday Nov 4 – 6-9pm

Saturday Nov 14 – 9am-12pm

What is the Mountain Guide program?

The Mountain Guide program was established in 1993 as a recruitment program for the ski patrol at Buck Hill. This is a unique program to Buck Hill and the Buck Hill Ski Patrol (BHSP). Mountain Guides are candidates for our patrol who are trained in skiing or snowboarding and toboggan handling skills, as well as general patrol protocol. Mountain Guide candidates are mentored by current patrollers, with the intention of completing all training within a year. This is the first step to becoming a Buck Hill Ski Patrol member. The Mountain Guide program and the Buck Hill Ski Patrol are volunteer positions only.

What are the minimum requirements?

• The minimum age requirement for the Buck Hill Ski Patrol and National Ski Patrol is sixteen (16) years of age. (Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better in order to join the BHSP.)
• A Mountain Guide candidate will be a minimum of a PSIA level 5 skier or snowboarder as evaluated by the Buck Hill ski school, or a trainer on the BHSP at the beginning of the season.
• Attend weekly training provided by the BHSP training staff.
• Schedule a regular weekly shift with the scheduler through the remainder of the season prior to the end of training.

What are the costs?

• Your time!
• There is a $75 (non-refundable) fee charged to each candidate to cover the cost of registration with the BHSP and National Ski Patrol System.
• There is a $15 (non-refundable) fee for the textbook.
• Have equipment that meets industry standards for safety.
• Prefer candidates have skis that have been purchased new within the past 5 years.
• Snowboards (either free-style or carve) and skis should not have inappropriate graphic designs.

What are the benefits to you?

• FUN!!!
• Season pass (if you don’t already have one) for the duration of training.
• Uniform vest provided for Mountain Guides while in training.
• Free skiing for you!
• Camaraderie!
• Always someone with whom to ski or ride!
• Meeting people with similar motivation and interests.

What is expected during training?

• FUN!!!
• Weekly attendance for training.
• Active participation.
• Complete assigned homework.
• Wear uniform vest provided during all training and scheduled shifts.
• Ask questions.

What is expected during scheduled shifts?

• FUN!!!
• Weekly attendance on scheduled shift during end of training.
• Wear uniform vest during all shifts – scheduled or unscheduled.
• Practice skills learned during training.
• Ask questions of patrollers.
• Be involved!

What are the next steps?

HAVE LOTS OF FUN!!! SKI OR RIDE AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE!!!

Upon successful completion of the ski/snowboard and toboggan training, continue to attend weekly scheduled shifts. During the spring plans will be developed and shared for the fall first aid training program called Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC).

The OEC training program is a standardized training of the National Ski Patrol System which is delivered by certified OEC instructors. This is a 10-week training which meets twice a week from the first Tuesday in September through the second Thursday in November. OEC candidates will need to be certified in two-person CPR for infants, children, and adults. OEC candidates will receive Chair Evacuation training. There are a few additional meeting times which will be shared as they are scheduled.

There are a limited number of spots for the fall OEC training program. Most Mountain Guide candidates will be given a spot in the fall course, however this is determined by annual staffing needs. Each candidate will be evaluated based on attitude, attendance during training, attendance during scheduled shifts for the season, and participation.