Education
Avalanche
NSP has been providing avalanche education to ski patrollers and other search and rescue personnel since 1957, making it the oldest and most experienced avalanche education association for rescue professionals in the U.S. NSP offers avalanche education for general recreationists as well.
All NSP avalanche courses meet or exceed curriculum recommendations established for each course by the American Avalanche Association. Course content is frequently updated to incorporate the latest avalanche research and skills. All avalanche education courses are taught by NSP-certified avalanche instructors who undergo rigorous training and evaluation of technical knowledge and teaching proficiency.
Bike Patrol
The NSP Bike Program provides specialized training for bike patrollers and hosts, catering to the changing landscape of year-round outdoor recreation. With ski resorts expanding their offerings to include summer activities, the Bike Program ensures that patrollers and hosts are well-prepared to assist in lift-accessed areas and manage land units, including urban parks and open space parks.
Instructor Development
The Instructor Development (ID) Program is centered around the principles of adult learning, aiming to equip members with the necessary tools, skills, and resources to cultivate high-quality instructors across all National Ski Patrol disciplines. This program plays a crucial role in fulfilling the National Ski Patrol’s mission of delivering top-notch education and training to enhance the safety of outdoor enthusiasts.
Mountain Travel and Rescue - MTR
The Mountain Travel and Rescue (MTR) program’s goal is to provide ski patrollers and interested members of the public with the knowledge and abilities that will increase their efficacy as ski patrollers, develop their outdoor leadership skills, and enable them to contribute to and act as leaders in search-and-rescue operations, particularly in cold climates and mountainous areas.
The five-course sequence covers fundamental survival skills, mountain travel strategies, wilderness navigation, risk management, mountain weather, group dynamics, environmental considerations, mountain-specific medical issues, search-and-rescue principles, and emergency rescue methods, including rope work.
Nordic/Backcountry
The Nordic/Backcountry Program serves backcountry enthusiasts by collaborating with various organizations such as the National Forest Service, park agencies, local search and rescue groups, and alpine and Nordic resorts and areas. This program offers training and resources covering a range of equipment types, backcountry survival skills, and extended patient care skills tailored for backcountry situations.
Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC)
The Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) program stands as a cornerstone for all patrollers within the NSP. With a core mission to meet the medical and educational requirements of NSP patrollers and affiliated outdoor recreational organizations, OEC sets a standard of training excellence. Through OEC, participants learn the essential skills needed to deliver safe and efficient patient care, stabilize injuries, and execute extrications in outdoor settings.
Outdoor First Care (OFC)
The Outdoor First Care (OFC) course, a part of the OEC curriculum, is tailored for individuals aspiring to serve as mountain hosts or bike hosts. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will acquire the skills to administer basic first aid and provide patient care in outdoor settings.
Outdoor Emergency Transportation (OET)
The Outdoor Emergency Transportation (OET) Program offers a distinctive opportunity aligned with our mission of delivering top-tier education and training to bolster safety in outdoor pursuits. This program equips ski patrollers with the necessary skills to safely navigate outdoor terrain, operate rescue toboggans, and contribute effectively to ski area operations.
Outdoor Risk Management (ORM)
The Outdoor Risk Management (ORM) Program was established with the aim of offering comprehensive training and education in risk management. It is designed to equip patrollers with the necessary skills to fulfill risk management responsibilities for resort operators. The program covers a wide range of topics, including legislation, industry standards and practices, as well as techniques for identifying and mitigating risks. Additionally, it provides insights into the operational fundamentals of various on-mountain departments, such as ski/ride school, lift operations, lift maintenance, terrain park operations, snowmaking, and grooming.
