Page 32 - ESCARPMENT MAGAZINE | Winter 2013

The organization has grown
to protect alpine skiers and
boarders and cross-country
skiers in every province. Each
region or province has its
own division. Today there are
over 4800 ski patrollers serv-
ing as both volunteers and
professionals at every ski re-
sort in Canada. Most resorts employ a core group of ski patrollers as
salaried pros, as well as a team of volunteers to cover the hills at all
times. Patrollers in our area are part of the Ontario Division of the Cana-
dian Ski Patrol System.
As Bill and I skied around I could see by the way he and the other pa-
trollers interacted that they were a tight knit group who worked hard,
but still enjoyed the lighthearted banter of long time friends. I am happy
to report, we didn’t encounter any serious skier mishaps that day thank-
fully, as I am not very helpful in those situations. I’d much rather leave
the real first aid to the folks with the cross on their backs. We (Bill) took
care of a barrier fence that had blown over and cautioned some young
skiers to reduce their speeds in the slow zone.
Later in the day, we found another old friend of mine, Floyd Fitzsim-
mons, who is now a pro patroller at Beaver Valley. Floyd and I go back
to the days when we were young and crazy kids, ripping up the hills
after work. At the time, Floyd had a distinct style of skiing with his hands
down at his sides and his calves against the back of his boots… almost
like he was relaxing in an easy-chair. Every time he would ski by, we
would yell, “Get your hands up Floyd!” Floyd still skis with a laid back
style, but I can see that after years of dragging a toboggan down the
hill, he has mastered his technique.
Before I could even ask the question… Floyd pointed out that as far as
training goes, there is no difference between a pro and volunteer pa-
troller. They both have to take first aid training every year… at their own
expense. (There goes the old myth about patrollers ‘skiing for free’!)
They do on hill training every three years as well as other special train-
ing for things like dealing with head injuries and using defibrillators.
Most patrollers must buy their own jackets and equipment as well.
Back in the 1990s, Floyd trained to be a ski patroller just down the val-
ley at Talisman Resort. He then switched to Blue Mountain where he
applied to be a pro patroller. Floyd appreciates his time at Blue Moun-
tain because he was able to learn from a great group of older col-
leagues. Because of its size and number of skiers and boarders, Blue
Mountain is a good place to see every type of incident that a patroller
has to deal with. A few years
ago, he had an opportunity to
come to Beaver Valley. Floyd
said he is glad he made the
move, because he enjoys the
lower stress level of a small pri-
vate club where everyone
knows each other.
Floyd explained that the pro patrollers are paid employees of the resort
and therefore work full time. The volunteer patrollers sign in when they
are available and are there to help out mainly on weekends or during
busy periods like Christmas and March break. Floyd, and the other
pros, start their season in early October, doing on hill maintenance like
safety fencing, positioning the toboggan tubes and adding the safety
cushions to poles and other obstacles. They check all the toboggans to
make sure there are no damaged or loose parts. This year, he was
asked to design and build little houses around the toboggan tubes that
matched the other buildings and structures on the hill. Though the result
is mostly cosmetic, it will add a look of unity and cleanliness to the area.
Floyd introduced me to Bob Fletcher, who was at the time Risk Manager
at Beaver Valley. Bob told me that both the first aid and safety training
that the patrollers receive is a very high priority for the club. He invited
me to come back when they would be doing on hill ‘lift evacuation’
sessions. Though I attempted to be cool, “Oh yeah, great idea,” He
could see the panic in my eyes at the thought of being pulled off a chair-
lift that was dangling 30 meters off the ground. I had the feeling this
was an old ski patrol joke for the uninitiated. Fortunately, our ski season
came to a screeching halt last year about a week later. I was spared
from the thrill of lift evacuation.
Floyd and Bill both said they enjoy their roles as patrollers. It takes a
special person to be a ski patroller. Not only do you have to be a de-
cent skier, but you have to react with calm professionalism in any situa-
tion, be able to deal with any injury that happens and be able to
communicate with the injured to keep them calm. They also must be
proactive and look for possible problems on the hill or with skiers. Floyd
said most of all, patrollers are compassionate people who want to make
sure that others are safe.
If you are interested in joining the ski patrol or want to find out more
about them go to their website:www.csps.caor the Ontario Division
at:www.skipatrol.on.caYou can also find them on Facebook. |E|
Thanks to Bill Moriarty, Floyd Fitzsimmons, Bob Fletcher, Tim Foster, Ron Gathercole and
William J. Wright for their help with this story.
FEATURE | on patrol at beaver valley
Pro patrollers, Bob Fletcher, Floyd Fitzsimmons and Bernie Kocher relax and grab some rays.
32 Escarpment Magazine Winter 2013