News and Views of the Far West Division, NSP; www.farwest.org, February, 2017 Volume Nine, Issue One From the Far just the guy you wanted to have your West Division back. Details of what exactly Mark your calendars: happened are still being investigated Director, Women’s Clinic, February 16, but no matter what they find out, we Bill Gibson Heavenly Valley have all lost a true ambassador of our E v e r y o n e i s Women’s Summit, March 6-8, industry. Joe leaves behind a wife and e n j o y i n g t h e son and through the support of our wonderful winter Powderfall, April 6-9, 2017 at patrol family donations have poured in Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado. and with more to help support them in Joe's absence. Sea Otter Bicycling Classic at snow on the way it Your region directors have all the Laguna Seca Raceway near is looking like this is the year we have information on how you can donate to Monterey, April 20-23, 2017 been waiting to happen for a long time. this wonderful family. Rest in Peace Far West Awards Dinner, August, Maybe the best ski season we will Joe, we will cover the hill until we meet 2017, Davis, date TBA experience in our life. Squaw Valley again. Continually check out the FWD reported 23 feet of snow in the first 23 Another surprise this season was (and, your own Region’s) web days of this year, a record that they the loss of the South Lodge at the have never even approached in the site for updated calendar of Homewood Ski Area. Nancy events & training opportunities! history of that resort. Record snow fall Stromswold has an article in this news has produced record workloads for our letter about what happened and how patrollers and every hill is thankful for everyone came together to get their What’s Inside... the help we can provide. Please keep patrol back on their feet. A huge up the good work as you represent the thanks to all of you that offered help NSP. and stepped up to be sure the mountain Alumni program is focus, p. 15, 16 Even with all the good skiing, not was able to be covered. What a team Avalanche updates, p. 3 all that has happened this year is and what a family in a time of need. Awards of the FWD, p. 12 without some very sad news. Just a And not only did Homewood lose a Calendar of events, p. 14 few weeks ago the Squaw Valley Pro lodge but a few weeks later the Donner Certified program, p. 8 Patrol lost one of their most valued Ski Ranch lost their newest lodge. Community service options, p. 14 members. Joe Zuiches was a member Luckily none of the Election results, p. 2 of the NSP for many years, starting his Patrol was affected. FWD Officers, staff, p. 21 career in Colorado at Winter Park and This brings us to the theme of this Instructor Development, p. 19 then moving to the Squaw Valley News Letter, our safety. Daryl Heavenly resort fire, p. 5 Patrol. Joe was a team leader, an ID Whitcher has an article that every Mountain Travel & Rescue, p. 4 instructor, an OEC instructor and an patroller needs to read. He usually Mountain Transport, sleds, p. 10 Avalanche instructor. Plus he worked brings us program updates and what to for the Mt Shasta Mountain Guides in OEC offers program updates, p. 9 expect in the transportation program OEC techs sought, p. 8 the summer, a true man of the but this time it is all about safety. The Patrols of the FWD, p. 18 mountains. This was a man who safety of your students, safety of those Recruitment, p. 11 devoted his life to the mountains he around us but mostly about our own loved but also to the other folks that safety and that is the message we all Sea Otter Bike Classic, p. 13 also loved the mountains. He shared need to remember every day. I would Women’s Program, p. 6 his passion with everyone and as some even suggest you print out his words of Women of Squaw Valley, p. 17 of us know, everyone he met was his wisdom and post them in every bump friend. Always a smile on his face and Lots more; see inside! a kind word, a man of few words and Please see Director, continued p. 7 Election results, and coming elections Addresses up-to-date? Is your mailing address and e- TO: Far West Division Board and full term. address current with the National to our patrollers and alumni office? Remember, the FWD gets its FROM: Janice Waits, Far West mailing lists and email lists directly Division, Election Chairperson NOMINATIONS ARE STILL from the National office in Denver. If SUBJECT: 2017-2019 Election OPEN FOR REGION DIRECTOR you change your US mail or email Report ELECTIONS: address, to to your Member Profile to Also be advised that Eastern Sierra change, and, notify your own patrol. Elections for the offices of and Northern California regions are Don't miss out on exciting future Division Director and Assistant due for Region Director elections, in issues of FWD ‘News and Views’ and Division Director were opened March spring 2017. other NSP publications designed to help 11, 2016, with only one nominee for Positions are for June 1, 2017 – you maximize your membership in the each position being received as of May 31, 2019. Region directors may Far West Division and the NSP! December 5, 2016 — Nominations serve no more than 3 consecutive 2 are DUE for Division Director and year terms. Assistant Division Incumbents: Eastern Sierra – FWD News and Views D i r e c t o r P o s i t i o n s . A n y Katie DuMont (completing her first News of the Far West Division, NSP nomination or announcement must be term May 31, 2017) accompanied by a one-page resume of Northern California – Jason Allen Division Director, Bill Gibson the candidate's membership in NSP (terms out May 2017 completing his Asst. Dir., Nancy Stormswold Asst. Dir., Richard Wilson that demonstrates the candidate's third term) Arizona Dir., Andrew Youngblood eligibility for office and a one-page Nominations are now open and Eastern Sierra Dir., Katie Dumont statement of the candidate's platform. will be accepted to later than February Mother Lode Dir.,Tony Atkins All nominations, other than self- 6, 2017. Consult a region officer or Northern Cal., Jason Allen nominations, must be accompanied your region's by-laws, officer's Professional Rep, Rich Bailey by written acceptance of the handbooks, and ski patrol manual for Southern California, Diana St. Clair nomination signed by the nominee. qualifications. Secretary, Janice Waits Nominations are to be submitted to Treasurer, Keith Dickens After an additional one-week, the Division Election Chairperson, Legal Advisor, Geoff Hutcheson results were given to Bill Gibson, Janice Waits. Registrar, Peggy Jamison Alumni Advisor, Tim Viall Division Director per Bylaws Awards Advisor, Ken Bergmann 5.24.2.1a, If, after nominations are F e b r u a r y 6 , 2 0 1 7 Avalanche Supervisor, Keith Church closed there is only one (1) —Pronouncements of Candidacy and Certified Advisor, Lance Vaughan nomination for an office, the single letters of acceptance of candidacy due Community College Advisor, Steve nominee shall be declared elected to to Elections Chair/committee Thorsted the office, and no balloting or other April 3, 2017 — Ballots sent out Conferences Advisor, Tony Atkins action shall be required. The Division along with candidates platform and Instructor Development Super., Doug Hill Director and/or Elections Chair shall statement Mountain Travel and Rescue notify the eligible voters in writing,as May 1, 2017 — Date all ballots to Supervisor, Karl Chulski soon thereafter as possible. be received/postmarked — results Nordic Supervisor, Jeff Gurrola announced. Communications Advisor, Tim Viall ELECTION RESULTS FOR the Outdoor Emergency Care Supervisor, JUNE 1, 2017 – MAY 31, 2019 PLEASE FORWARD ALL Kevin Qualseth TERMS: NOMINATIONS, PLATFORMS Outdoor Emergency Transportation AND/OR ANNOUNCEMENTS TO: Supervisor, Daryl Whitcher DIVISION DIRECTOR Recruitment, John McGuigan 2017-2019 Lance Vaughn, J a n i c e Wa i t s , E l e c t i o n Webmaster, Rye Livingston Division Director. This will be Mr. C h a i r p e r s o n ; E m a i l Woman’s Program, Trudy Nye The FWD News and Views is published Vaughn's first full term. [email protected]. three times yearly, in September, December and February. Deadline is the A S S I S T A N T D I V I S I O N end of the month prior to publication. DIRECTOR Features, photos; send to Tim Viall, fwd- 2017-2019 Richard Wilson, [email protected], or mail to 5854 Assistant Division Director. This will Turtle Valley Drive, Stockton, CA 95207. be Mr. Wilson's second FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD web site: www.farwest.org Page 2 Avalanche Training Has Already Started!

It's puking snow on our avalanche course field sessions favorite test slopes on your mountain? Starting on smaller, all over the division. As the snowpack grows, now seems like lower angle slopes at the beginning of the day and working a great a time to dust off and revisit "The Ten your way up to the stuff you really want to ski is a great way Commandments of Safe Travel in Avalanche Terrain" from to test conditions. Bear in mind that the data you have the Avalanche Instructor's Manual with many thanks to derived from starting small becomes less useful as you travel Bruce Tremper for making it available to the NSP. So sayeth through slopes of different angle, aspect, and elevation. Bruce: 7. Communicate. We all carry a radio. 1. Go one at a time. Crossing suspect slopes one at a Communication is important in the patrol biz. It's time allows us to keep our eyes on our partner until she paramount when travelling in avalanche terrain. It's easier to reaches a pre-designated safe (low risk) spot. And if you are communicate with fellow travelers when your group size is caught, you want someone there to witness the incident and small and you stay within earshot and eyesight of one s t a r t a r e s c u e ! another. That radio on your chest will come in handy too.

2. Always have an escape route. 8. Use a belay rope. Digging a Before crossing a slope to your safe spot, pit in on a slope with high have a plan "B" if the snow starts to slide. consequences requires a belay rope and It's a good idea to always be thinking a good anchor. A belay rope can be a about an escape route when travelling in lifesaver when ski testing a slope as a v a l a n c h e t e r r a i n . well. When conditions dictate, don't be a f r a i d t o r o p e u p . 3. Never go first. About 90% of skier-triggered avalanche incidents 9. Use the right equipment. catch the first skier on the slope. Carry your beacon, probe and shovel Avoiding going first may be impossible and make sure you know how to use for a ski patroller - sometimes it's part of them. Make sure your partner knows the job. This means we need to take extra how to use his! Releasable bindings precautions when travelling in and a helmet are must-haves too. I see avalanche terrain. Be open to selecting more and more airbag-equipped packs alternate routes and employing on the backs of avalanche students and mitigation strategies during travel are patrollers. They're not foolproof, but key (see commandment 8, below). they can be very effective.

4. Never trust a cornice. Cornices 10. Terrain, Terrain, Terrain. can break further back on the windward After completing a crown profile at Exercising good judgment is the best side than we would think. Don't Mammoth, ESR and SoCal AVY way to stay alive in avalanche terrain. underestimate the ability of the root of Instructors perform stability tests. Looking at terrain with a critical eye is, the cornice to pull you over with it. well, critical! Learning to assess Even a relatively small cornice can cause a big avalanche avalanche terrain is a skill that comes with experience but when it hits the loaded slope below it. Look at a cornice you can look at it critically from day one. One note of caution carefully to determine where you think the safe zone is, then about relying on experience: thinking, "I've never seen this take a couple more side steps towards the windward side. slope slide in 25 years" does not mean it hasn't or that it won't! Don't fall prey to heuristic traps in your decision- 5. Be obsessed with consequences. Being caught in making. an avalanche can have dire consequences---serious injury, permanent disability, and death. Keep that in mind when Be safe out there! travelling in avalanche terrain. Also consider what is below the slope you are about the cross. If there is a terrain trap (e.g. cliffs, rock bands, a creek or gully) below you, even a small Keith Church, FWD AVY Program slide on a small slope can lead to trauma and/or deep burial. Supervisor; [email protected] 6. Start small and work your way up. Where are your

FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD web site: www.farwest.org Page 3 Mountain Travel & Rescue: WOW to season! WOW! been held. What a season this is developing to be! With way above For more information contact Chris Haagen average snow depths it is snow-snow everywhere! How to at [email protected] enjoy this snow and weather that comes with the winter mountain environment is the goal of the MTR courses. Southern California Region: Besides the great conditions at the Alpine hills excellent MTR 1 Classroom Has already conditions are developing in the back country and along with been held. these conditions come challenges and dangers we must be If you have had your classroom but not the field session knowledgeable and be prepared to encounter. contact Natalie. Field session F e b r u a r y 11 - 1 2 The Avalanche program covers the danger avalanches location TBD present. See Keith Church for the courses, but how to For more info contact Natalie Muraciov at survive and enjoy the traveling and camping in the winter [email protected] mountain environment is the MTR program. Shelter, food & nutrition, clothing, route selection (to medicate avalanche Arizona Region: danger) and many other topics are presented to be more MTR 1 Classroom T B D knowledgeable in how to enjoy the winter mountain back Phoenix area country. Field session Feb 4-5 S k i Sunrise Lost skiers and others out in the back country has become For more info contact Guy Roll at a major concern. We as patrollers are often called upon to [email protected] conduct or assist with these searches as we are looked upon a ones that enjoy the mountains and know how to safely These courses are designed for the patroller and will navigate in this terrain, thus SAR (Search and Rescue) has increase the skills and knowledge of winter mountain become a major topic covered to become an effective survival and travel. member of a SAR team. These courses are opened to all patrollers, Alpine, Nordic The public is expecting us to be skilled in the mountain and Auxiliary. This course is designed to expand your winter environment in all aspects of it both on the slopes of knowledge and experience of the mountain winter to a the resort and being able and knowledgeable of the winter higher level and gain confidence in how to survive in relative survival skills off the resort. comfort and how to be an effective member of an SAR (Search And Rescue) team if called upon by your Hill Here are the courses that have been scheduled. If you management. would like to learn more about the MTR program and join in a course contact myself (numbers below) or the instructor These courses and skills are designed for the patroller that listed for the course of interest. has not taken this type of activity and are designed to increase your confidence in the winter environment.

Northern California Region: None scheduled at this time. Make plans to attend one of the other courses. Karl P. Chulski, FWD-MTR Mother Lode Region: Supervisor, Far West Division MTR 1 Classroom T o b e Mountain Travel & Rescue scheduled webex Supervisor, [email protected] Field session M a r c h 1 2 - 1 3 Pinecrest For more information contact Keith Gale at [email protected]

Eastern Sierra Region: MTR Classroom Has already

FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD web site: www.farwest.org Page 4 When bad things happen to good people, the BEST are there to help! On December 28, 2016, fire gear from the rental shop for as long destroyed the South Lodge at as it was needed. The businesses and . The companies listed above offered lodge housed a cafeteria, bar, HMR extensive discounts to replace the administration, food and beverage gear that was lost in the fire. services, ski school, and the In addition to our personal Homewood Volunteer Ski Patrol equipment that was purchased by locker room. Our locker room and each patroller, the Homewood gear, both personal and patrol, were Volunteer Patrol lost an extensive destroyed. cache of training equipment, supplies, Before the fire was out, offers of and all our awards. Insurance will assistance started rolling in, gear replace what was lost, but that will was ordered and on its way. Our t a k e t i m e . first need was to replace equipment that would get us back on the hill to The Homewood Volunteer Ski patrol. Patrol thanks all who immediately Area management ordered helped us get back on the hill so that replacement radios from SIERRA we could continue serving our resort ELECTRONICS (Reno, NV), as we always have. Every patrol which were programmed, charged, throughout the Eastern Sierra Region, and on the hill the next day when we several in the Far West Division, and reopened. The ashes were still many from across the nation offered warm when Bill Gibson, FWD help and equipment. Director, contacted Melanie Hood, If there is a silver lining to this NSP Marketing Director, who disaster, it is the out-pouring of i n i t i a t e d a n o r d e r w i t h assistance and camaraderie we PATAGONIA (Reno, NV) for received from patrols who want to replacement vests and jackets. help. The mountain reopened the day Thank you all for your concern and after the fire and patrollers were in offers of assistance. Once we know uniforms loaned by SQUAW the extent of what insurance will VALLEY ALPINE MEADOWS replace, we will have a better idea of SKI PATROL. Within 48 hours, what we will need to replace via new uniforms from PATAGONIA donations. THANK YOU for your were delivered to the resort. With assistance now and in the future. Melanie's assistance, an order was also placed and shipped from Nancy Stromswold SMITH (Ketchum, ID) for helmets Homewood Volunteer Ski Patrol and goggles that were lost in the fire. Far West Division Assistant Local ski shops immediately Director offered to work with patrollers whose ski/bindings/boots/poles were lost: ANY MOUNTAIN (Tahoe City), TAHOE DAVE'S (Tahoe City), WEST SHORE SPORTS (Homewood), and ELITE FEET (Squaw Valley), and BOBO'S (Reno). HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT (Homewood) offered free

FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD web site: www.farwest.org Page 5 FWD Women's Program Updates - excitement! There are three great events for you to consider attending #3--Powderfall 2017 at this coming season, read on! Aspen Snowmass, CO April 6-8, 2017, come #1--20th Annual (Wow!) earlier and/or stay longer for Heavenly Women's Clinic additional skiing Feb. 26, 2017 At Heavenly This event gets more and Resort, So. , CA more popular each season-- Go to you've got to go! heavenlyareaskipatrol.org and Check out the website: Women of HAP for more www.cvent.com/events/;powd information. erfall-2017-aspen-snowmass/ 1/2 day toboggans, 1/2 day - Trudy Nye. ski lessons, choose intermediate to advanced Trudy Nye, Heavenly Resort; terrain, or try the "hair on fire" Far West Women's Program options A d v i s e r ; Lift ticket and celebratory Photos from recent Women’s Clinic (Editor’s note [email protected] lunch included, along with - great photo worth repeating); last season, we had prizes and swag! a good, lively and talented turnout! And, expecting Cost: TBD deep snows and larger women’s educational and fun events this ski season. Join us this year! #2--Women's Summit at Mammoth Mountain, CA (formerly at Squaw) March 6-8, 2017 Ski lessons, workshops, toboggan training for patrollers, great networking and guest speakers Check out the website www.womens-summit.com Division Director, continued from page 1 shack so every member is sure to see it. for course locations and times. If you want a challenge and There are many events scheduled this year and if you are ready to take the next step in patrolling then the senior want to advance your ability this would be a great year to do program is just right for you. And don't forget the certified it. The Women's clinic is celebrating their 20th year at the program. Lance brings us up to date on how you too can Heavenly Ski Area. For 20 years they have hosted this event attend and be a part of this very elite group of patrollers. and this year will be well worth attending. But if you can't Give it a try and I am sure you will be hooked on this fun and make it, please check your regions calendar because there educational program. are women's clinics planned in almost every region and even Other articles will help you get ready for the rest of the a full women's program at Powderfall at Aspen Snowmass in season and even roll into summer. Alumni are holding ski April. You won't want to miss any of these clinics. days and once again we are all gearing for the Sea Otter Our Avalanche instructors have been very busy. With all Classic. It's a great season and I hope everyone enjoys it and the snow, classes that have been postponed in years past are does so as safely as possible. being presented. Keith Church the Division Avalanche Until I see you on the mountain continue to represent the Supervisor has a very informative article in this News Letter NSP as a member of the Far West Division. and remember that an Avalanche Level 1 course is required for the senior level in the Far West Division. This is a great Bill Gibson, Far West Division year to get that elective signed off. Director, NSP Speaking of Senior, most regions are offering all the senior course requirements. It is not too late to get involved in a Senior OEC or a Senior OET course. Check with your PR for approval and also with your region senior coordinator FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD web site: www.farwest.org Page 6 Mid-Winter Women's Program Report

There are three fantastic events this season for all of you Ski lessons, workshops, toboggan training for patrollers, to consider attending. Two are specific women's events and g r e a t n e t w o r k i n g a n d g u e s t s p e a k e r s the other is for everyone. Read more below: Check out the website www.womens-summit.com Registration includes all workshops, and yummy snacks Our first event coming up is the 20th Annual Heavenly after a fun day of skiing and running sleds! Did you catch the Women's Clinic, February 26. We are celebrating 20 years picture in Ski Patrol magazine of the double tail rope sled of education, sled training, camaraderie, fun and clinic in Squaw? What a hoot! networking! Here is the information and how to register: This Summit is gaining popularity, so check out the website and sign up! ********20th Annual (Wow!) Heavenly Women's C l i n i c L a s t l y i s 2 0 1 7 Feb. 26, 2017 At Heavenly Powderfall! Resort, So. Lake Tahoe, CA ******Powderfall 2017 G o t o at Aspen Snowmass, CO heavenlyareaskipatrol.org and April 6-8, 2017, come Women of HAP for more earlier and/or stay longer for i n f o r m a t i o n . a d d i t i o n a l s k i i n g 1/2 day toboggans, 1/2 day ski This event gets more and lessons, choose intermediate more popular each season-- to advanced terrain, or try the you've got to go! "hair on fire" options Workshops, ski lessons, Lift ticket and celebratory toboggan handling, a great lunch included, along with exhibit/sellers hall, and prizes and swag! We will have more! some long sleeved shirts with a Women's Program team cool logo to give away too! Let will be meeting, talking, and us know your size if you'd like you're invited! one. Hopefully you've already Cost: Approximately $45, signed up, registration was check with Trudy or Tammie regarding final cost. getting full!

Contact Trudy Nye or Tammie Hoedeman at [email protected] for more information---course If you have any questions regarding these events, contact registration numbers and sign up information. Remember, Trudy Nye. If you'd like to have a women's clinic at your you need to also sign up for the courses at nsp.org. You will resort, let Trudy know and we can make it happen! also need to mail a check in order to be officially registered. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!! :-) Don't miss the opportunity to attend the longest running women's clinic in the US! Trudy Nye Far West Division Women's Program Supervisor The next event is the Women's Summit, this year at [email protected] Mammoth Ski Area. Ski with the best of the best ski 707-321-9694 instructors and run sleds with Trudy Nye, Far West Women's Program and Linda Barthel, National Women's Program Supervisor.

Information is here:

*******Women's Summit at Mammoth Mountain, CA ( f o r m e r l y a t S q u a w ) M a r c h 6 - 8 , 2 0 1 7

FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD web site: www.farwest.org Page 7 OEC techs sought for trauma center experience! I'd like to share an opportunity potentially available to time commitment: OEC Technicians: Emergency Department / Trauma Center https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/Op?From=16819 Experience. &Op=92 The Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital Please note that one of the listed qualifications to serve as (ZSFGH) and Trauma Center (LEVEL 1) provides for a Volunteer Clinical Assistant in the Emergency Department Volunteers to participate in a wide array of roles in support of / Trauma Center is the National Ski Patrol's Outdoor the delivery of medical care to the community. I find serving Emergency Care Technician certification. The Application there (ZSFGH, 1001 Potrero Ave., San Francisco, CA process currently commences with submitting a resume to 94110) as a Volunteer Clinical Assistant in the Emergency [email protected] . Department / Trauma Center as being an incredible learning I am available [email protected] to answer experience relevant to Ski Patrolling and other health care questions from Ski Patrollers. Thank you. pursuits. If readers of the Far West News & Views are interested in Best wishes, for more insight, please contact me: serving as a Volunteer Clinical Assistant in the Emergency Steve G. Woolpert, MA, OEC Tech., EMT-B; Member, Department / Trauma Center, they are directed to please National Ski Patrol, click on the below link to view the ZSFGH website [email protected] providing general details of the duties, qualifications and Certified Training offers you new learning opps! Training and testing for Certified Classification is Regional Contacts for Certified: conducted in tandem with the Association of Professional ESR - Keith Tatsukawa - Northstar Patrollers in the Far West Division. Testing and training SCAL - David Moore - Big Bear with this program is unique and offers both organizations a MLR - Lance Vaughan - Dodge Ridge great way to share information and operational procedures. Arizona - Andrew Youngblood - Arizona Snowbowl Those earning the Certified Classification add knowledge Northern CA - Bill Gibson - Mt Shasta and skills to their patrols and typically become a mentor for their teams. Thinking about adding training to your patroller Ready to extend your learning? Approach a Certified skills, jump in and get started, you'll be glad you did. patroller at your resort or one of the regional advisers above, ask for help, visit the APP website, purchase & download the Certified Training & Testing Clinics: excellent study guide at www.propatrollers.org and you are on your way. Training and Testing dates are set for the Winter 2017 season. Lance Vaughan Feb 3,4,5 Midwinter Clinic - Flagstaff AZ Testing in FWD Certified Supervisor most categories [email protected]

Feb 8,9, 10 Midwinter Clinic - Timberline OR

Mar 1,2,3 Midwinter Clinic - Snow Valley, CA (Southern CA)

R e g i s t e r f o r e a c h e v e n t a t : https://app.wildapricot.org/register-for-clinic- events?EventViewMode=1&EventListViewMode=1

Annual Spring Clinic dates & location are TBA. Traditional Dates are last week of April, snow should be great.

FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD website: www.farwest.org Page 8 OEC courses, Senior Programs for epic season! Well we have done our snow dance and it has region to make this event a great one for all participants. worked. Sometimes too much of a good thing can be a You do not need to have the Trainer Evaluator hazard even if we are the experienced one. certification to help with being a Station manager, or an Check your gear, check your emergency supplies injured guest, or many other duties that are need to and remember to practice the buddy system if you are make the day a success. going off piste into some of the untracked or backcountry areas. Be smart and be safe. Southern Calif has Four Senior Candidates in their ______training program, with a testing date of Feb 26th 2017 Motherlode region has a testing date of March 25th OK Candidates, you have worked hard, have been at Dodge Ridge no candidate signups as of yet put through many scenarios, passed your written and your practical exams. I know that you have met many patrollers with many different personalities, and have CHECK YOUR PROFILE. IF you have attended a dealt with them all, now it is time to go out on your course, we all have, such as a refresher, this should resort areas and put your training to work. reflect on your Patrollers profile, if it is not posted there Invest in the top of the line gear, jacket, patrol vest, then let's find out why. ski boots, gloves, etc. I suggest you pick your own mentor if that is possible. If you can, patrolling for YOU ARE ONLY AS GOOD consecutive days is best to remember the run names and AS YOU TRAIN! how the mountain is set up. I am sure that others have many tips for you but these some of the basic to start Kevin Qualseth, FWD OEC Supervisor, (559)781- your season off. Remember, is the scene safe, and be 7208, (559)359-6056 safe.

Senior evaluations and trainings should all be registered and on the course calendar by now.

Our OEC Candidates are being trained and now this is the time for our patrollers to start their Senior Training if they have not done so already.

At this point in time, all trainers and evaluators of the Senior Program need to have attended and successfully passed an OEC Trainer/Evaluator Course before they can act as a trainer or an evaluator. The trainers of the OEC Module of the Senior Program should be ramping up their training program in preparation for their final evaluations. If you have completed your Senior OEC, please consider helping out the trainers and new Senior candidates complete their training and evaluation. There is always a large need for patients and helpers. I would recommend all patrollers go through the Senior OEC program. It really hones your skills and gives you much more confidence in dealing with those every day accident situations and especially those of a more Tha nk y ou a ll, K e v in serious nature. Q u a l s e t h , F W D O E C S u p e r v i s o r , f w d - As you all are aware of, it takes a Region to prepare [email protected]; H (559)781- and test for the Senior OEC Module of the Senior 7208; C (559)359-6056 Program. So, please help out with your patrol and

FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD website: www.farwest.org Page 9 The Sled Commander Spring 2017 INHERENTLY DANGEROUS

That's what the ticket back language says. That's the way that the liability waiver reads. That is the standard that the courts have upheld.

This is what we do. We do Dangerous.

Our sport is dangerous. Sliding on snow carries considerable risk, and all who participate in our sport are reminded that they assume that risk each time they buy a lift ticket. The environment can be dangerous; the terrain is challenging in the best of conditions and the weather that we operate under can be problematic, it can be uncomfortable, it everything – and get everyone's input on safe operations can be annoying, it can be difficult - or it can be lethal. during our events. We can hold a stern test of Senior skills in a safe manner with the safety of everyone as our primary Our recent extreme storm cycle exposed all on-duty task! patrollers to incredible risk and convinced many Sierra resorts to put safety before profits with shuttered doors When was the last time that you actually sat down to rather than expose patrons to the risk contemplate the level of personal risk that you assume each filled environment. Our Ski Patrolling time you head out to patrol? For most tasks usually carry considerable of us, that intense level of additional risk beyond those risks i n t r o s p e c t i o n o c c u r s o n l y assumed by the public; first runs in periodically – often when we hear of marginal conditions can pose a risk, as can a catastrophic event on some other tree wells, powder runs, ski cuts, and the mountain far, far away. Let's all re- like. Even mundane tasks such as marking evaluate our safety protocols and boundaries, lifting tower pads, carrying revisit out policies and procedures to signs, bamboo and other equipment can ensure that all of our training be dangerous in extreme weather. How operations take place in an many of us have spent time recently environment that prioritizes safe shoveling snow off decks – while Upcoming OET Events operations and values the health and working under a roof cornice that could Snow Valley Senior Evaluation – February continued well being of all of our bury you if it released? 11/12 students. While the risks associated Senior Evaluation – March with ski patrolling can, at times, be 11/12 As Ski Patrollers, we are expected to Lee Canyon Senior Evaluation – March great – the rewards are tremendous, not only assume that risk – but to embrace 18/19 personally fulfilling, incredibly that risk, and to actively seek out that risk Squaw Valley Senior Clinic – March 15-17 uplifting and often measured most in all forms on a daily basis. The tasks are Sugar Bowl Senior OET – April 8-9 effectively by those that we save in Powderfall 2017 – Aspen Snowmass April their time of greatest need. dangerous – starting with the drive to the 7-9 resort - and the risk is significant. Many seasoned patrollers, including many of our OET Instructors, have become accustomed to the Thanks for all that you do for the NSP! continual presence of risk. How many of us feel that we are immune?

As we head into the final part of our season, we have Daryl Whitcher many Training and Senior events lined up throughout the OET Supervisor, Far West five Regions of the Far West Division. It is critical that Division Safety be foremost in our minds as we run each of our events. [email protected] Safety is ultimately the responsibility of everyone – the instructors, students, the IOR and the IT. Let's question FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD web site: www.farwest.org Page 10 Recruitment in full swing in Far West Division! Far West Division Recruitment looking for patrollers to make and Retention Program Update a “life time” (20+ years) commitment to patrolling. The Far West Division Recruitment and Retention We have been concerned Program formally began in 2009 about the large number of with the primary task of candidates who complete the supporting NSP recruitment 120 hour OEC class and never booths at several snow sport join a patrol, the patroller who vendor shows in Northern completes basic training and California. Jim “Doc” Margolis drops out, and those who show (Homewood) served as the FWD much enthusiasm for a few Recruiting Advisor for the first years and then drops out. The two years, and John McGuigan R and R Program Advisors (Squaw) has assumed the role completed two surveys of since 2011. Doc Jim became the OEC graduates in the Eastern Sierra Region R and R Northern California area. The Advisor. Matt Ridge (Sugar first survey showed all but 2 Bowl) has recently assumed the O E C g r a d u a t e s w e r e Mother Lode Region R and R associated with a patrol, in a Advisor position from Pete Lin candidate class, and happy (Sugar Bowl). with the training they The Recruiting and Retention received. This year it appears Program provides an up to date all OEC graduates are computer system to log potential registered with a patrol and in candidates and forward their an on-the-hill candidate class. names to respective patrols. The R A follow-up will be conducted and R Program maintains a in February. We received very r e c r u i t m e n t w e b s i t e positive feedback from the (http://farwest.org/Recruiting/Lak OEC grads about our follow- eTahoe-CentralSierra) which lists up and willingness to help requirements and the status of them find the right patrol. candidate openings at each resort The Recruitment and in Northern California. Retention Program would like Business cards and cards with to work on the issue of pictures of avalanche dogs, both patroller retention and with the recruiting website, are burnout. By way of this passed out at the vendor shows. article, we are reaching out to These cards are available to patrols all patrollers in the Far West to use at FWD recruitment events. Division to find out if they are Participation in vendor shows has collected names of satisfied with their patrol, their patrolling activities and if they several hundred potential patrollers whose names have plan to completing a life-time (20 year) commitment. If yes, been forwarded to their chosen patrols. In addition, we want to know about this and what made this possible. public often comes to our booth to thank us for care given Patrolling is a demanding volunteer commitment. There to them or their family, or to just learn about what we do. are several reasons why an experienced and valuable patroller Frequent visitors are retired patrollers who come by to might want/need to become Alumni for a couple of years: say hi and share their past patrol experiences. We help burn-out, time commitment that interferes with family, school, staff recruiting booths at ski swaps, Warren Miller shows, and/or profession, age or an injury that prevents someone from and other venues. We also provided guidance to fulfilling an Alpine Patroller's duties, or maybe no longer individuals interested in patrolling who contact us finding patrol activities rewarding. If any of the above are true through the website. Over the past two years, we have taken on the task of patroller retention. When we recruit, we are always See Recruitment, continued on p. 17 FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD web site: www.farwest.org Page 11 Deadline for FWD Awards nominations coming soon! The 2016-17 ski season in full swing your patrol reveling in lots get the facts, timeline and specific actions of the nominee. For of snow; did you realize that it’s only a few weeks before award National Outstanding awards you will need to do some research. nominations are due - is your patrol “on it”? Useful information for a National Outstanding nominee includes Check with your Region Awards Advisor (the MLR deadline is information on the nominee's outside activities that support the March 5) for your deadline; they are all due to Division on March 15. NSP, relationships with other ski related organizations, use of NSP You may not realize behind each of these winners is a small skills outside of the industry, the nominee's contributions to group or a dedicated individual that took the time to sit down and patrolling, a detailed history of the nominees patrolling career, write up a nomination. In my view just being nominated for one of including NSP offices held, classes taught, hours on and off the hill, these National Outstanding awards is an honor in itself because and awards received. One of the items you will need is the nominees someone thought enough of you to take several hours out of their NSP history. This is NSP history is available to your patrol day, do some research and type up your nomination. As the ski representative online. I also have access to individual NSP history. season begins, the award season begins and it is time to start If you need a copy, please ask us and we will get it to you. thinking about who you should nominate for an award. Allow time for the award to work its way through the system. The NSP has two categories of awards, the National These awards are reviewed by your Patrol Representative, Region Outstanding Awards and what I call the general awards. The Awards Advisor, Region Awards Board, Region Director, Division general awards include things like Merit Stars, Angle Pins, Service Awards Advisor, Division Director, and even the National Awards Pins and National Appointments. These awards can be written up Advisor. All this takes time so allow at least 60 days to for the and submitted to your local awards advisor at any time. The nomination to run it's course. National Outstanding awards include Outstanding Alpine Patroller, Your Region and Division awards boards are here to help honor Outstanding Auxiliary, Outstanding Instructor and Outstanding our own. Do not hesitate to ask for our help. We know there are Patrol. These awards are on a timeline and must be submitted to many deserving patrollers that work tirelessly with little or no your region awards advisor in February. (Check with your region compensation other than a few great turns here and there. Take a awards advisor or your regional calendar for the specific date.) little time to write them up and honor them for their many To nominate any individual for any award you can start by contributions. Again, if you need help, your regional and division choosing the correct award for the individual. You can see the awards advisors are here to provide you with the assistance you criteria for each award by downloading chapter 10 of the NSP need; if you need help, ask!. Policies and Procedures. If that seems like too duanting a task just ask your region awards advisor or you can ask me directly at [email protected]. We will be happy to give you advice and Submitted by Ken Bergmann, Far West Division Awards Advisor, 956 guidance on the best way to honor your nominee. Santa Lucia Dr., Pleasant Hill, CA Once you have selected the award, download the form from the 94523; [email protected]. NSP website, Or again, you can ask me or your regional awards advisor. We can send you the forms. Review the form and start gathering the required information. For Merit Stars you will need to Make headlines...We want to hear from you!

Your Far West photo’s content. If News and Views you are mailing newsletter is actively photos and want seeking news and them back, please photos of the patrols e n c l o s e s e l f - and patrollers of the addressed envelope. Far West Division. FWD News and Views is published three times yearly, in Send submissions to FWD Communications Advisor September, December and February. Deadline is the 25th of Tim Viall, suggested is electronically submission to: the month prior to publication; NEXT deadline is August [email protected]. Or by U. S. mail to 5854 25 for our September, 2017 issue! Turtle Valley Drive, Stockton, CA 95207. Features, photos welcomed, please submit items with the If you are sending photos and want them returned, please “Five W’s: Who, What, When, Where and How, and, if sending send a self-addressed envelope. photos, please include an identifying “cut line” noting the

FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD web site: www.farwest.org Page 12 Seeking volunteers: join fifty-plus FWD patrollers, family and friends at Sea Otter Classic bicycling event! YOU can volunteer; The Sea Otter Classic join 50+ ski patrollers, features everything from family and friends for mountain biking, dual first-aid duty and course slalom, road racing and marshaling at the Sea cross-country - thrills and Otter Classic, April 20- spills that draw 9,500+ (yes, 23, 2017 at Laguna Seca Raceway near Monterey/Salinas, 9,500) competitors, ranging from avid pro and amateur CA. It’s the USA’s largest outdoor biking extravaganza. bikers - and 60,000 spectators. A trade show with 600+ In 2016, Dodge Ridge Patrol led in numbers, with their vendors wowed our attendees! For more insight, check the 20+ members joined by Alpine Meadows, , Sea Otter web site at: www.seaotterclassic.com. Heavenly Valley, Homewood, , Mt. Patrollers, family and friends receive FREE Bachelor Nordic (of the Pacific Northwest Division) and CAMPING and ADMISSION right in the Laguna Seca Sugar Bowl. The group was joined by several Wilderness paddock-area at “Ski Patrol Central”. Motorhomes, trailers First-aiders and EMTs, as well as family members. and tents make for cozy accommodations and all will enjoy These patrollers and friend’s volunteer service earned the Friday and Saturday night NSP barbeques! $4,600 for their patrols! NSP members and friends Mark your calendars, April 20-23, 2017: For more receive free camping and admission, as well as two NSP info, contact Tim Viall, Coordinator for NSP Volunteers barbecues and found time to ride their bikes, attend the for the Sea Otter Classic, 209.969.3875; huge trade show and make new NSP friends! [email protected].

Clockwise from top left, the FWD first aid crew for the backcountry courses prepare to depart for assignments, two bikers ascend Skyline Road on the cross-country course in old Ft. Ord backcountry; NSP and BETA team members ( B i c y c l e E q u e s t r i a n Tr a i l Assistance volunteers, in orange vests/shirts) and and tents, motorhomes made for cozy evenings at “Ski Patrol Central”. Join the NSP team in April for NSP service and fun! New option on FWD website for Winter ‘To “Community Service Opportunities” Got a big outdoors event that could use NSP help? Looking for an off-season Dos’ for more way to utulize your OEC skills? Check out your Far West Division web site for new options/opportunities! NSP fun...! Recently added: “Community Service Opportunities” offer a place to list upcoming events that showcase NSP first-aid and leadership talents - such as major Easy as the events that utilize NSP first-aiders (like the Sea Otter Classic). This option offers patrollers a place to post events and recruit NSP members to take part. To see the “A, B, Cs”! start of this new resource for you, the patroller, go to: http://www.farwest.org/MemberPrograms/CSO/CSO.html. List your events and opportunities! If you are working to organize NSP first- A: Skis: aiders for Tough Mudder events, annual Cerebral Palsy bike-a-thons, community Get those fund-raising events, big outdoor events like the Sea Otter Classic and more, list skis tuned them! And, don’t forget to work to enlist your alumni to assist! (take them And, make a habit of scanning the FWD website for continuing updates on such to a ski events and programs - as well as new developments in your Far West Division! shop for an edge and Send your event and activity postings, with the “who, what, where, when and base job). how” to FWD Webmaster Rye Livingston, [email protected]. Also send your events to Tim Viall, FWD Newsletter Editor, [email protected] and we will profile them in FWD ‘News and Views’. B: Breakfast of Champions? Plan to eat well and improve your diet with good nutrition. And, get plenty of hydration - you’ll be a better athlete because of good food/drink choices! And, stay hydrated on the slopes!

C. Pictured, left to right, Dori Bietz and Mike Fanelli worked the Tough Mudder event at Northstar this summer; NSP members and an NSP Subaru worked the Headwaters Keep 50 K Trail Run last summer, and almost 40 patrollers and family members worked at, fit: and enjoyed off time, at the Sea Otter Bike Classic in April. Please post notices for Give such events on the FWD website, and, scan the site for volunteer opportunities! some time to FWD Events Calendar: getting fit; drop Women’s Clinic, February 16, Heavenly Valley a few Women’s Summit, March 6-8, Mammoth Mountain pounds, April 6-9, 2017, Powderfall, Snowmass, Colorado walk, April 20-23, 2017, Sea Otter Bicycling Classic at Laguna play golf, jog or get into the Seca Raceway near Monterey gym! Rewards come “on slope”! Winter returns to the Far West Awards Dinner, August, 2017, Davis, TBA Sierra soon; be ready! Post your key events in ‘News and Views’, send to editor Tim Viall, [email protected]. See the FWD Web site for updated calendar and training opportunities: www.farwest.org!

FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD web site: www.farwest.org Page 14 An Alumni program is good for the alum, and the patrol! Are you, as a patroller, considering going “inactive”, or, Alumni Advisor position description, go to: www.farwest.org, moving to “alumni status”? click on Member Programs, then on Alumni. Consider the impacts: if you go “inactive”, you still have to For individual patrols, several suggestions: pay $55 dues to National and $19 to the Division, and you lose a) Appoint someone from your patrol as your alumni all your benefits as a patroller. Alumni status is often the best advisor (you will find a simple draft Patrol Alumni Advisor Job choice; annual dues are only $30, you can retain your Description on the Far West Division web site)). certifications and instructor status, and it’s easy to return to b) Send me that Advisor's contact information. active status if you like. c) If you already have an active alumni program, and And, alumni can remain involved with their local patrol (for “ideas/events that worked like crazy”, please share them with my Dodge Ridge Patrol I remain active as alumni advisor, and me (I am also the FWD Newsletter Editor, and will profile continue on as the FWD Newsletter Editor and Alumni those “best practices in future newsletter issues, as well as Advisor). After 34 years, NSP-service is in my blood. share them with all MLR Alumni Advisors). I am hoping to assist as best I can in the coming ski year in d) Ask your area and patrol to host a patrol and/or promoting, rewarding and energizing your patrol's alumni Regional Alumni Ski Day, typically in the spring; you’ll see program, and our Division's Alumni program. And, if you details on next page! have reached the point in your NSP service where you are e) See the NSP's Alumni brochure on the Far West web site considering becoming an NSP alumni, rather than an active – I would suggest you post several copies in your patrol room, patroller, continue on as an alumni patroller. I pose a couple and share the electronic copy with members of your patrol – questions for you and your patrol: so that, when they move, retire or just-plain drop out – they For Individual patrollers: If you are an individual realize there is a valuable choice to be made and to remain an patroller considering alumni status, check out the NSP Alumni NSP Alumni. brochure on the web site, and consider Alumni status. It gives you ongoing NSP registration, access to NSP catalogue and Questions or suggestions welcomed! sweet deals, invitations to yearly Alumni events (like the March 16 Alumni Day), info from the NSP and your individual patrol Tim Viall, FWD Alumni Advisor, and the “halo status” of continuing your NSP affiliation! And, [email protected]; talk with your individual patrol's leadership; there is always a F o r a d d i t i o n a l i n f o , g o t o : place for an alum who seeks to stay active in unique ways to www.farwest.org, click on Member match your talents! Services, then, Alumni! For more info, the NSP Alumni brochure and draft Patrol Renew alumni dues on-line! Best Alumni practices sought! Alumni members; renew your NSP Dues on-line. I have The Eastern Sierra Region does an annual Alumni had this question come up several times recently – “can I Reunion, a number of patrols in the Far West Division work renew my Alumni Membership on-line”? hard to involve their alumni in patrol affairs and patrol activities/celebrations (see next page!), and several FWD Here's how to do it; as an Alumni member you merely: alumni are regulars at such annual off-hill activities like the Sea Otter Bike Classic each year. a) Logs into the NSP web site, with member number Of course, the questions remain: how do we retain and your Password, then, patrollers as alumni members of the NSP (rather than just “dropping out”), how do we involve them in patrol and/or b) At top, upper right where it will say "Hi, (member regional activities; can we use their skills to mentor newer name)" - merely click on that icon, and it takes you to your patrollers? I am sure you have more questions or thoughts. My Profile page, then, at bottom left of the Profile, click on Please share your best programs and success stories the "Renew Now" button, and it allows you to pay with a with Tim Viall, FWD Alumni Advisor (and FWD choice of credit cards, Pay Pal and the like. Newsletter Editor), [email protected]. We will compile the “best ideas, top programs and events that worked like It works; I just did that, myself. crazy”, and tap the National office for their advice, as well. Watch for an article in future issues of ‘News and Views’. Submitted by Tim Viall, FWD Alumni Advisor

FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD web site: www.farwest.org Page 15 Communications enhanced in FWD, regions; both the Far West Division and Facebook page offer new looks, new information!

Did you know that both the FWD web alumni into off-hill and on-hill site and the FWD Facebook page have a c t i v i t i e s . G o t o : been enhanced and improved to share https://www.facebook.com/groups/ information with patrollers and alumni? 448272738574183/ and Join the As an example, is you need insight on page! It’s there for you and your Awards, go to the web page and click patrol! Awards in the Member Programs area. On the Facebook site, you can The FWD web site offers a new look, post up news to reach our FWD new organization and offers new options members, upcoming events and like Community Service Opportunities. special projects, or just good skiing To see the start of this new resource for insight worthy of sharing. So, check y o u , t h e p a t r o l l e r , g o t o : it out, and use it! http://www.farwest.org/MemberProgra If you are sharing news of your ms/CSO/CSO.html. patrol or region, also remember to The FWD Facebook page continues send it along for inclusion in the to grow in interest (almost 600 FWD FWD ‘News and Views’ newsletter. members) and utilization as more The whole idea is to better patrollers and patrols use it as a place to communicate programs and communicate their successes, fun opportunities to you, to improve activities and to recruit patrollers and your NSP experience! Seeking hosts for Alumni Celebration Days in 2017 season! Seeking patrols and resorts to host regional “Alumni Celebration Days”. In 2015 and 2016, the Eastern Sierra Region graciously hosted visiting alumni at Sugar Bowl and Heavenly Valley. We’re asking other regions to host such events, usually late in the ski season. Typically the resort comps a half-dozen or so passes for visiting alumni, the local patrol hosts a tour of the mountain, alums share a lunch hour and catch up on old times. If your patrol and resort would like to host, contact your region alumni advisor! At right, Eastern Sierra and MLR alumni who gathered to ski, share old patrol tales, catch up and remain involved in the NSP at Heavenly Valley Resort in March, 2016. Thanks to Heavenly for hosting the gathering! Dodge Ridge Patrol continues “Alumni Fun Days” on 4th Fridays! For 2016-17, the Dodge Ridge events and fund-raisers. Dodge Ridge NSP continues a monthly “Fourth alumni and alums from other FWD Friday Alumni Fun Day” series of Patrols also make up a good portion of events. In January, February and the volunteer force at the huge Sea Otter March, 2016, about 18 alumni and Classic in April each year, helping earn several family members and $4.600 for their service - income for their friends joined on the mountain for patrols. coffee, sharing of tall tales and This year, Dodge Ridge hopes to draw skiing and celebrated the resort’s more alumni and their family members to 65th anniversary. the “fourth Friday Alumni” events, and to In recent years, a growing engage more alumni in both fun activities percentage of Dodge Ridge Patrol and service to their old patrol and to the alumni remain active in patrol NSP. FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD web site: www.farwest.org Page 16

FWD News and Views, December, 2016 Check the new FWD web site: www.farwest.org Page 23 Recruitment, cont’d from p. 11 activities are held in the region, and what can the FWD R and R Program do to expand recruitment efforts through-out for you, please contact us. the division. · Include an annual FWD Recruitment and Retention The R and R Program Advisors can recommend Program meeting with representatives from all 5 of the alternative activities. NSP is very accommodating to full- regions held in conjunction with the FWD meeting. time students. If you need a few years off due to family or job · Include a recruiting seminar at regional Instructor commitments, patrollers can register as an alumni for a Continuing Education clinics to discuss recruitment and couple of years, complete the annual OEC refreshers and retention. resume patrolling when able. If age/disability prevents · Recruit parallel agencies (paramedics, firefighters, someone from pulling a sled or other Alpine patrolling EMT's) and set up skier enhancement programs so duties, some patrols offer a “Patroller” (aka: Auxiliary) medically trained candidates can qualify to become ski status or a Mountain Host program patrollers. · Expand recruitment booth presence to other venues We would like to hear from Patrol Representatives and/or in addition to Northern California ski shows patrol recruiters as to how can we help with recruitment and · Work closely with NSP to utilize their recruitment retention. Every year we need know a patrol's needs: activities, programs, and materials. · How many and what type of candidates are needed for the coming year? Our committee wishes you many years of happy and · Does a patrol accept patrollers (auxiliary), host, healthy patrolling. We look forward to hearing from you. mountain guides, boarders, only skiers? · What problems are the patrol having with retention? John McGuigan, FWD R and R Advisor · How can we help you with any or all the above? [email protected] Doc Jim Margolis, ESR R and R Advisor In addition to increased communication with ALL Patrol [email protected] Representatives in the Far West Division, other activities M a t t R i d g e , M L R R a n d R A d v i s o r proposed by the current FWD Recruiting and Retention [email protected] Program Advisors are: Peter Mu, Assistant ESR R and R Advisor · Contact all regions in the FWD to find out if they [email protected] have a Recruiting and Retention Advisor, what R and R

Women of Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows Patrols

Editor's Note: Here is a fun and fund-raising project for enterprising patrols. For almost three decades, Keoki Flagg has been creating images of and for Lake Tahoe, donating his time and artwork to various charities and foundations. Last year, the women of Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows ski patrol were fortunate to be one of them. The photo shown here is an example of what's in the calendar; those remain a surprise. See Teton Gravity Research for a full news item and more photos!

FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD web site: www.farwest.org Page 17 Instructor Development, cont’d from p. 17 Patrols of the FWD: Big Bear Candidate training is in full swing; You Tube captures joy! Here are the stellar patrols of the FWD: In response to an email from Diana St Clair, I thought I'd pass along the following YouTube link of Big Bear Ski Patrol candidates during Arizona Snowbowl their 1st day in the handles of a toboggan. The primary instructor in Alpine Meadows the video is Rene Perez who was recognized this past year as the Alta Sierra runner-up Instructor in the nation. Here’s the link: Badger Pass https://youtu.be/Z2g1OLJMIRA Big Bear If you need any additional info, I'd be happy to supply. Bear Valley Ski Patrol Dave Nelson Boreal Ridge Candidate Advisor Buckhorn Ski Club Big Bear Ski Patrol Coppervale Powderfall, Aspen/Snowmass, CO, Diamond Peak April 6-9, 2017: Dodge Ridge Donner Ski Ranch Next year's huge NSP education event, Heavenly Powderfall will be held April 6-9, 2017 at Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado. Homewood June Mountain This time frame will also include a DD Team meeting and the National Board Meeting. Kirkwood Lake Alpine Nordic Start putting the word out so we can have another great event and high attendance from Lee Canyon the Far West Division. Lassen Volcanic I know our Lakewood staff is putting a lot of Mammoth Basin Nordic effort into this and no one will want to miss it! Mount Lemmon Mountain High Bill Gibson, FWD Director Mt. Baldy Mt. Pinos Nordic Mt. Shasta Mt. Waterman Northstar Pinecrest Nordic Reno Ski Patrol Sierra Ski Patrol Snow Valley Soda Springs Squaw Valley Sugar Bowl Sunrise Tahoe Backcountry Tahoe Donner Nordic Center

Have you skied them all? FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD web site: www.farwest.org Page 18 Ten Tips to being a great NSP instructor...

Many of us are already NSP Instructors teaching courses teaching and lessons to accommodate all learning styles; in one or more of the five National Ski Patrol education visual, auditory and tactile/kinesthetic. By using various disciplines: teaching styles and tools, we can keep the students · Avalanche motivated and the class flowing. · Instructor Development · keep it fluid/keep it moving/make it fun · Mountain Travel & Rescue · address attention spans by changing activities every · Outdoor Emergency Care 15-20 minutes · Outdoor Emergency Transportation · make them move · be flexible and ready to adjust Could we become better instructors? Certainly, none of us are perfect, although we have many Tip No. 4: Go Team extremely effective and successful instructors in NSP. Adults, unlike children, are active learners and want to be Below are a few tips taken from the NSP Instructor involved in directing and designing their learning. Our Development textbook, the Instructor Development students usually come to us motivated to learn our material, Instructor Manual, and a few outside sources as well that and they come with a great deal of life experiences. Tap into may help us become more effective and successful in those experiences and their existing education to enhance teaching our courses. Chances are, if you are a successful your teaching and their learning. NSP Instructor, you may already be using some or all of the · clarify your expectations for them right away following tips in your classes and this may be a review for · they will usually rise to those expectations if they you. know what you expect of them · give them something to discuss, create, build, write, Tip No. 1: Be the Man/Woman: Walk the Walk draw, dissect, experiment with… Since you're the instructor, you usually walk into the · these type of activities tend to keep them energized classroom or onto the slopes with some built-in degree of and the class flowing assumed credibility. You must insure that you keep and · adults absorb and learn faster when they know the develop that credibility with your students throughout your “why” of what they are learning course. How do you do that? · as always, try to integrate new learning with · be on time things they already know · be prepared · learning new skills and material can provide the · be professional student with self esteem · be knowledgeable · learn and use their life experiences to get them · be a model of what you teach involved; encourage their input · be a leader and a coach · take control and guide when necessary Tip No. 5: Do Unto Others · stay current with the latest updates in the course you We should treat our students the way we would like to be are teaching treated were we in their shoes taking our class. This is especially true during feedback and evaluations. Singling Tip No. 2: Listen out or embarrassing a student for their mistakes is not only Listening is one of the basic communication skills needed to unkind, it is counterproductive to your teaching and their be an effective educator. But do we really know how to learning. listen effectively? · adults may tend to take their mistakes personally · focus on what they are saying · their self-esteem and ego are at risk, so be · focus on what they are doing (non-verbal messages) sensitive · listen as much as you speak · treat them with respect, the same respect you · learn from your students, they will teach you also would demand in their place · ask didactic questions to solicit knowledge · focus on their strengths · ask rhetorical questions to motivate them to think · redirect negatives to positive suggestions or new · by listening effectively, you will be able to adjust topics your teaching as necessary to meet your students needs · feedback should be praiseworthy or objectively constructive Tip No. 3: Mix it up · don't know it all, we are all human and make We all like to teach the way we learn best, using our mistakes primary learning style. But, as you know, we must adjust our Please see Instructor, next page... FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD web site: www.farwest.org Page 19 preparation, design and follow-up) Ten Instructor tips, cont’d from p. 19 · watch, communicate, and learn with other good instructors Tip No. 6: Be There · evaluate ourselves at every opportunity and adjust We're teaching our students to be there for the our course as necessary skiing/snowboarding public, so we need to be there for them. Tip No. 9: Work it, baby! · focus on your class and what you are doing for As instructors, we are constantly on stage and putting on a them show of education. Try to make that show entertaining as · focus on what they are doing so you can adjust if well as informative. necessary · develop a teaching style of your own · be supporting and approachable, but not · work the room/slopes condescending · work the students and other instructors · create a learning environment where students are · we deal with serious topics, but don't take yourself not afraid to make mistakes too seriously · they can learn from those mistakes, and we can · have fun, use humor, but don't compromise the help them learn subject content or integrity · respond, and listen to responses · find their learning style and teach them how to · make yourself available at times other than class learn hours if possible · keep it moving and flowing · provide e-mail or phone contacts if possible Tip No. 10: Follow Through/Follow Up Tip No. 7: Students Are People Too After the class, we have additional responsibilities Unlike child students, our students come to us with an before we can call our class complete. This is a very array of life experiences, different backgrounds, varying important part of our instructor responsibilities that beliefs and accumulated knowledge. They are experienced sometimes even the best instructors put off or take lightly. consumers of education and knowledge, and each one is · answer any questions or issues not resolved in different. Many come with college and advanced degrees. class with your students · we must respect that we are dealing with · send thank-you notes or e-mails to instructors, experienced adults helpers, host facilities…etc. · we must respect their backgrounds, life · file course completion records in a timely manner experiences, and pride · send out student course completion certificates if · they have made the decision to come to us to learn not given out at class · make it real/make their education with us relevant · send a follow up e-mail or letter to students to their experiences thanking them · they like to be physically & psychologically · reinforce with students the next step for them to comfortable take in their learning · no long lectures, not long sitting · review your course evaluations and adjust your · respect their feelings, their dignity and their self teaching as necessary esteem · provide food, snacks, breaks and comfort Thank you for offering your time to teach for the NSP. I · keep them safe while in our care hope these few tips were a valuable review for you as an instructor. The Tip No. 8: Rah, Rah, Rah, Sis, Boom, Bah NSP lives and thrives on it's valuable We have a unique opportunity as instructors to affect cadre of knowledgeable instructors. people's lives, enhance their self esteem, provide If you are not currently an NSP additional self-worth, and train them to serve the Instructor and have thought about community with skills few attain. teaching in one or more of the NSP · teach with a passion for your craft disciplines, take the challenge and · show enthusiasm for what your teaching and how begin your NSP teaching career by you are teaching it e n r o l l i n g i n a n I n s t r u c t o r · continuously evaluate to show you care, they can Doug Hill, FWD Development Course in your region. I n s t r u c t o r make you better You can change patrollers' lives, and I D e v e l o p m e n t · be supportive and approachable think you may change your life as well. A d v i s o r , f w d - · give invisible time to your students (time in [email protected].

FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD web site: www.farwest.org Page 20 Editor: Tim Viall 5854 Turtle Valley Drive Stockton, CA 95207 Email: [email protected]

FWD Officers and Program Chairs - contact them... Administrators Name: E-mail Contact: Division Director Bill Gibson [email protected] Asst. Division Director Nancy Stromswold [email protected] Asst. Division Director Richard Wilson [email protected] Arizona Director Andrew Youngblood [email protected] Eastern Sierra Director Katie Dumont [email protected] Mother Lode Director Tony Atkins [email protected] Northern California Jason Allen [email protected] Professional Representative Rich Bailey [email protected] Southern California Director Diana St. Clair [email protected] Legal Advisor Geoff Hutcheson [email protected] Registrar Peggy Jamison [email protected] Secretary Janice Waits [email protected] Treasurer Keith Dickens [email protected] Alumni Advisor Tim Viall [email protected] Awards Advisor Ken Bergmann [email protected] Avalanche Supervisor Keith Church [email protected] Certified Advisor Lance Vaughan [email protected] Community College Advisor Steve Thorsted [email protected] Communications-Newsletter Tim Viall [email protected] Communications-Webmaster Rye Livingston [email protected] Conferences Advisor Tony Atkins [email protected] Instructor Development Super. Doug Hill [email protected] Mountain Travel/Rescue Super. Karl Chulski [email protected] Nordic Supervisor Jeff Gurrola [email protected] Outdoor Emergency Care Super. Kevin Qualseth [email protected] Outdoor Emergency Trans. SuperDaryl Whitcher [email protected] Recruitment Advisor John McGuigan [email protected] SAR Liaison FWD John Kretchmann [email protected] Woman’s Program Advisor Trudy Nye [email protected]

FWD News and Views, February, 2017 Check the new FWD web site: www.farwest.org Page 21