Honouring the Heroes of the Slopes
Every year, on February 10th, the ski community comes together to celebrate International Ski Patrol Day, a day dedicated to recognising the hard work, dedication, and bravery of ski patrollers worldwide. For those of us who call Chamonix or other ski resorts home, we know just how crucial these professionals are to keeping our legendary slopes safe and accessible.
This year, I had the incredible opportunity to be out shooting with the ski patrollers at Grand Montets and a team from Helly Hansen to document their work first hand. Watching them in action, from early morning avalanche control to rescuing skiers in challenging conditions, gave me an even greater appreciation for their dedication and skill.
The Role of a Ski Patroller
Ski patrollers are the unsung heroes of the mountains, ensuring safety on the slopes, responding to emergencies, and providing essential first aid. Their day starts early, often before the first lift departs, as they inspect runs, mark hazards, and mitigate avalanche risks. In the Chamonix valley, where off-piste terrain and steep descents challenge even the most experienced skiers, patrollers are especially vital in maintaining safety and responding swiftly to incidents in remote areas.
A Day in the Life of a Ski Patroller
Imagine starting your morning with a dawn patrol, assessing avalanche risk while the rest of the world sleeps. At Grand Montets, this often means conducting extensive avalanche control work, ensuring that the legendary freeride areas are as safe as possible. After ensuring the mountain is ready for skiers, ski patrollers spend their day responding to a variety of incidents, some as simple as helping a skier who lost their way, others as intense as stabilising an injured rider before they get airlifted to hospital. They also play a huge role in ski area education, teaching mountain safety and rescue techniques to fellow staff and visitors alike.
Why We Celebrate
International Ski Patrol Day is a chance to express gratitude to these dedicated professionals who risk their safety to ensure ours. Their skills go beyond skiing proficiency, they are trained in advanced first aid, mountain survival, avalanche control, and emergency response. In a place like Chamonix, where the terrain is extreme and conditions can change rapidly, their expertise is invaluable.
How You Can Show Appreciation
Want to say thanks? Here are a few simple ways to show your appreciation:
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Acknowledge their work
A simple ‘thank you’ can go a long way. -
Follow safety guidelines
Obeying ski area rules, respecting closures, and carrying the right safety equipment (especially when exploring off-piste areas) makes their job easier and helps prevent accidents. -
Support ski patrol organisations
Many ski patrol teams rely on donations and fundraising efforts to maintain training and equipment. -
Spread awareness
Share stories, photos, or messages on social media using #SkiPatrolDay
A Toast to the Ski Patrol
Next time you’re out on the slopes, take a moment to appreciate the dedicated professionals who keep the mountain safe. Whether they’re performing avalanche control work, rescuing an injured skier, or simply offering advice on the best runs, ski patrollers are the backbone of our ski experience.
Here’s to the ski patrollers, thank you for your commitment, courage, and passion for the mountains. Happy International Ski Patrol Day!
