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History of the National Ski Patrol
The National Ski Patrol (NSP), founded in 1938 by Charles M.
(Minnie) Dole, had followed its creed of "Service and Safety"
since the establishment of skiing as a popular sport in the
United States. The NSP has become the largest winter rescue
organization in the world. It is composed of more than 28,500
members serving over 600 ski patrols including volunteer, paid,
alpine, snowboard and nordic patrollers throughout the United
States and certain military areas in Europe.
The National Ski Patrol has worked closely with other
countries in outdoor emergency care education, and has assisted
in establishing ski patrol organizations in Canada, Korea, New
Zealand, Israel, Turkey, Argentina and Chile, as well as the
Victorian Rescue Service in Australia. The NSP was organized and
directed by Dole as a committee of the National Ski Association
(now the United States Ski Association). Through his efforts as
the first national director of the NSP, the organization spread
its effects and esprit de corps across the nation. Upon his
retirement in 1950, Dole had built the NSP into an organization
of 300 ski patrols and 4,000 members. During World War II, Dole
was responsible for the establishment of the famed 10th Mountain
Division of the US Army. Applicants for this remarkable military
unit, which saw much of its fighting activity in Italy, were
screened by the NSP. Many individuals who were responsible for
the establishment of many ski areas in the US served in the 10th
Mountain Division, and have contributed significantly to the
sport.
The NSP is composed of 10 geographic and one professional
division for paid patrollers. The organizations' members are
engaged in patrol activity on the slopes and in the promotion of
safety programs across the mountain recreation community. Safe
skiing and snowboarding attitudes are offered to the public
continuously in a sincere effort to reduce accidents and make
mountain sports more enjoyable.
The NSP, in addition to its own ski safety programs, works
closely with the United States Ski Team, National Ski Area
Association, Ski Industries America, Professional Ski
Instructors of America, US Ski Writers Association, US Forest
Service, National Park Service, and other organizations and
agencies in the promotion of skiing and ski safety. Movies,
television, radio, brochures, lectures and ski area signage all
devoted to ski safety have either been initiated by the NSP or
cooperatively produced.
In 1980, the National Ski Patrol was recognized as a Federal
Charter by the United States Congress. This is a coveted
endorsement that only a few other American institutions, like
the Red Cross, the YMCA, and the Boy Scouts, have earned. The
Charter stipulates the promotion of safety and health in skiing
and other outdoor winter recreational activities. The NSP
annually reports directly to Congress.
The usefulness, stature and position of the National Ski
Patrol had been attained through the devoted efforts of
thousands of ski patrollers, some of whom have become involved
in other phases of the sport. The NSP is continually growing and
improving, offering many invaluable services to area management
as well as to the public to include summertime activities such
as mountain biking.
The National Ski Patrol is a nonprofit organization, deriving
its primary financial support from membership dues, donations,
user fees and corporate sponsorship. The national office is
located in Lakewood, Colorado, and is staffed with full-time
employees to handle administrative duties.
© National Ski Patrol System, Inc. |
