When we launched the first Junior Ski Patrol event at Crystal Mountain in December 2017, it sold out in less than 2 days. Over the following two seasons, we saw it become one of our most popular programs. Why do people love Junior Ski Patrol events so much? Well, the short answer is: because it's special. The longer answer? Because there is nothing cooler than learning technical mountain skills from inspiring women in the local community.
Throughout the Junior Ski Patrol day camp, participants are taught a range of outdoor skills that are utilized by ski patrollers to keep the mountain safe. Topics include first aid, avalanche control, snow science, weather stations, toboggans, avalanche rescue techniques, avalanche dogs, radio communication and much more. The participants get their very own 'private tour' of the mountain through the eyes of a patroller.
"What's in your pack?" "How do you do a kick turn?" "Why do you tie the rope like that?" Any question the participants have is answered with a beaming smile and eagerness to inspire the next generation of young girls. Overheard from nearly every volunteer and patroller? "I wish I had this when I was a kid."
(We want to send a huge THANK YOU to our partner National Ski Patrol for helping this program's popularity & success!)
Unfortunately, many of our spring events—including nine Junior Ski Patrol events—were cancelled in March. Hundreds of participants missed out on the fun, and we want to fix that.
If you didn't get the chance to attend a Junior Ski Patrol event this season, we've got you covered! Thanks to some of our favorite patrollers from across the country, we're offering a sampling of what you'd learn at the event.
Learn skills at home with real patrollers!
Virtual learning can't replace the experience of being on the mountain but you can still get a taste of the basics from some of the finest professional ski patrollers from around the country!
What’s in my pack with Rachael Efta, Patroller at Big Sky, MT
Kick turns anywhere with Megan Kelly, Patroller at Fernie, British Columbia
Practice first aid
Wild Skills is SheJumps youth programming and started with teaching first aid and survival skills at day camps and have expanded to summer mountain camps and family adventures. The events teach young girls the essential skills for outdoor adventures, like first aid, navigation, leave no trace, 10 essentials, shelter building and more.
First Responder Checklist with Nicole Jorgenson, Patroller at Sun Valley, ID
Quick splint with Kelly Drewnowski, Patroller at Massanutten, VA
Make a sling with Kelly Drewnowski, Patroller at Massanutten, VA
Communication is key!
Throughout the Junior Ski Patrol experience, participants witness patrollers communicating with their team through radios. For many, this is the first time they learn about radio protocol, terms, reporting and the use of military time. Download the She Jumps Wild Skills Radio Communication guide to practice these skills at home.
PRO TIP: Gather up some willing participants (parents, siblings or stuffed animals) and radios. Assign roles, practice gathering information and calling it into dispatch.
Don’t have radios? No worries. We are all about working with what you’ve got. Fire up that imagination and use any object as your radio. The most important part of this exercise is gathering the information and communicating it clearly to your team.
Now it's your turn.
Share your skills practice and inspire others @shejumps #shejumps
Learn more about becoming a ski patroller by visiting the National Ski Patrol website.
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