Apply To Join

We take our role seriously, and we hope you do too. Please take some time to fill out this application thoughtfully, knowing that this represents your first step in a major commitment.

The Palisades National Ski Patrol is a volunteer member-run organization that does not conduct hiring for any paid patrol positions. This website is only for volunteers. To seek employment as a patroller on the Professional Ski Patrol at Palisades Tahoe , please check Palisades Tahoe for relevant job listings or or e-mail HR@palisadestahoe.com.

We are glad you are interested in joining the Palisades National Ski Patrol. Ski patrolling can be of the most gratifying activities of your life! Follow these steps to start your journey.

  1. Learn about being a Palisades NSP Patroller (on this website and talk to us when you are out and about skiing)

  2. Applying to become a candidate.

    • Before applying, please be sure you meet these prerequisites

      • At least 21 years old

      • Reside in the Northern California or Nevada region

      • Fit, Advanced-level skier who can ski anywhere the mountain in any snow conditions

      • Agree to the intense candidate year commitment, which includes a ski test, fall OEC training completion, CPR Certification and 22 total days of on the hill training during the season. Of the 22 days, 12 days are part are required training weekends.

      • Be able to commit at least 14 days of patrolling every season

    • Complete the membership application and email to Tom Werner

    • If you qualify, you will be contacted for a telephone interview

    • If accepted, participate in a group ski test in the spring with final selection to follow

  3. Completing the Candidate Training Requirements. Once you have become a Ski Patrol Candidate, your training commitment includes the following

    • Register as a National Ski Patrol candidate and pay the membership fee.

    • Successfully complete an OEC course before your candidate season. OEC is an EMT-level class, requiring  approximately 90 hours of class time. The course is offered in the Bay Area,  Sacramento, and/or the Tahoe area.

    • Successfully complete a  professional-level American Heart Association BLS CPR class prior to the fall refresher.

    • Attend our fall Outdoor Emergency  Care (OEC) Refresher weekend at Palisades Tahoe to meet patrol members and begin learning procedures – normally a weekend in late October.

    • Attend the early winter candidate orientation at Palisades Tahoe to tour the mountain.

    • Attend all required training weekends during your candidate patroller season, learning about mountain protocols, radio use, rescue toboggan handling, emergency scene management, and  on-the-snow first aid. A total of 22 days of training are required, including formal instruction, and shadowing experienced patrollers to see how things really happen. The more time you spend on the mountain, the better.

    • Successfully pass the skiing, scene management, and toboggan handling evaluation at the end of the candidate patroller season.

  4. Enjoying the Rewards of being a National Ski Patroller. As a qualified National Ski Patroller, there’s nothing more rewarding than putting in a hard day’s work…and having a good time doing it. But, there are many other rewards too.

    • You’ll be a respected snow-sports industry insider.

    • You’ll learn Palisades like the back of your hand.

    • You will help people every day.

    • You’ll skip the lines and ski untracked powder

    • You’ll have access to a patrol room locker and can attend patrol skiing clinics.

    • You’ll test your limits and learn valuable skills.

    • And you’ll make friendships that will last a lifetime.