Tag Archive for: Blue Mountain

KOSSAK
Guest Contributor

Living My Dream – Joining the Ski Patrol After Decades of Skiing

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By Robert Kossak

Robert Kossak

I’ve wanted to be a Ski Patroller since I was a kid, and finally got to do it as an adult. It’s a dream come true.

Growing up in New Jersey, my first time skiing was an elementary school class day trip to Holly Mountain, more hill than mountain, which no longer exists. I remember speeding downhill while my buddies cheered me on as they passed overhead on the ski lift. It was great.

Unfortunately, I didn’t know how to stop.  Luckily, a chain link fence at the bottom of the run stopped me. Later that day I learned something called the “hockey stop”, which I still use when necessary.

The years passed and I continued to ski. Whenever, wherever and with whoever wanted to tag along with me. These days, my favorite tagalongs are my wife and kids.

In 2023, I decided to join the Ski Patrol at Blue Mountain, close to home.  After surviving the ski off, I was given a huge book, “Outdoor Emergency Care: A Patroller’s Guide to Medical Care, Sixth Edition” and told, simply,  to learn it, report every Tuesday night at 6pm starting from April to August. That’s when I would be tested on the material and must pass to continue on as a Ski Patrol candidate.

I have no medical background. I thought I just had to ski around looking cool in that Ski Patrol jacket. It was a surprise that I would have to learn medical stuff.

Okay, I’ll study, I’ll train and do whatever is needed to be listed among the ranks of the National Ski Patrol! Let’s rock! I passed with a 90% grade, only to learn that was just a start.  Next would be OET (Outdoor Emergency Transport) as soon as there was snow.

On the first night of OET I was told by the Patrol Director that it’s a shame I paid full price for my skis because I’m only using the back third. But  I press on. Two nights per week plus Saturday mornings meant a two hour drive each way with about $23 dollars in tolls each trip. Never mind the cost. I’ve been wanting to do this since I was a kid.

I failed that first OET test but encouraged to try again next season.  The instructors also advised me to get new boots and learn to get out of the back seat. My parting words were, “I’ll be back.” One instructor said, “I like your attitude.” That meant the world to me.

Spring, summer and fall came and went and I couldn’t wait to get back to the mountain. I was literally the first one in line on opening day, remembering the parting advice from my OET instructors: “Never let good snow go to waste.”

I would train solo. I would attend every OET training session. I would ask anyone better than me (which was pretty much everyone on Ski Patrol) for tips and advice, and before I knew it, it was OET test night, when 26 OET candidates gathered at Patrol Base. There was a stack of numbered beanies and we were told to grab a number. I chose 13. Nobody ever grabs number 13. I don’t believe in luck and always felt that number 13 has gotten a bad rap.

KOSSAK

OET Test Night

We headed to the hill. Test night was on the double black diamond “Challenge.” Appropriate. Then, back to Patrol Base to wait while the OET Instructors rated us.  When my name is called, our lead instructor says they all wanted to recognize my hard work and perseverance and that … I passed!

I will never be able to fully articulate my thanks, appreciation, admiration and love for my Blue Mountain Ski Patrol family, and the joy and purpose it has given me to help and protect skiers and snowboarders.

Recently, I visited another local mountain. I called their Ski Patrol for a courtesy pass for the day. When I got there, I met some of the Patrollers, who asked where my home mountain was.  When I said Blue Mountain, one replied with, “Blue Mountain Ski Patrol is intense. It is known for making Patrollers.”

I can testify first hand that the Blue Mountain Ski Patrol is known for making Patrollers, because they made one out of me. Within two seasons, I went from Tag Along to Sled Hauler. And for that, I’ll forever be grateful and proud to wear the red jacket.

Alfs Crew
Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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Wednesday, I skied Alta. It was my second day out. Snow was blowing. Light was flat. I felt the chill.

After a few runs, it was time for something warm. I headed for Alf’s and looked around for a familiar face. No one even remotely familiar.

Tje crew at Alf’s makes terrific soups and other goodies.

So I took my bowl of mushroom bisque (consistently good at Alf’s), walked up to a table where another older skier was seated and asked if he wanted company. He did. I sat down, and we had a pleasant conversation. Turns out he’s a Vermont ski industry veteran and, to my pleasant surprise, a SeniorsSkiing.com subscriber. We talked shop for a while and skied together the rest of the afternoon.

We know from reader surveys that most older skiers prefer to ski with others. In the past I was happy to ski alone, but with age, I enjoy teaming up. I don’t have many friends who ski so I pick up ski companions on lift or in the lodge.

If you find yourself in a similar circumstance — on vacation, not knowing other skiers, simply wanting company — don’t be reluctant to approach an age-appropriate (or younger) stranger and start to chat. If he or she seems compatible, suggest taking a run together. The camaraderie is enjoyable. There’s the opportunity to learn more about the mountain. And, if either of you run into trouble, there’s someone there to help.

ALTERRA MOUNTAN COMPANY: New Name for Recently Formed Ski Area Coalition

Announced last year, the group comprises Big Bear, June Mountain, Mammoth and Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows in California; Steamboat and Winter Park in Colorado, Blue Mountain in Ontario, Mont Tremblant in Quebec; Deer Valley in Utah; Stratton in Vermont; Snowshoe in West Virginia, and CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures in British Columbia. It will be interesting to see how Alterra’s to-be-announced season pass will compete with Vail’s Epic Pass.

CALIFORNIA

Achieve Tahoe provides winter and summer adaptive sports instruction for adults and children with disabilities. January 16-19 in North Lake Tahoe, it will host its annual “Ability Celebration & Winter Ski Festival.” The program is sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, and Warfighter Sports. Thirty-four injured veterans will receive complimentary ski and board lessons (including individualized adaptive instruction and adaptive sports equipment), accommodations in the Village at Squaw Valley, meals, and transportation.

MASSACHUSETTS

Expect to see more about Massachusetts ski resorts on the Internet. The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism and the Massachusetts Ski Areas Association are advertising on TripAdvisor. The campaign runs through March. The state’s 12 alpine areas produce 1.5 million skier visits each year. 

PENNSYLVANIA

The state has a great program for grandkids who ski or board there. It offers free lift tickets to all 4th and 5th graders, regardless of whether or not they’re state residents. As part of the program, first timers receive a complimentary beginner lift pass, lesson and equipment rentals. First time adults with them receive a 50% discount. Visit http://www.skipa.com for details.

QUEBEC

February 2-4 is the 4th edition of the Festival Rando Alpine Tremblant presented by Smartwool. Activities include alpine touring, trail fatbiking, dinner, and a nighttime climb on skis to Mont Tremblant‘s summit.

VERMONT

Ski Vermont continues its series of humorous videos with the hopes of educating people about skiing safety. Their release is timed to coincide with National Safety Awareness Month (January). Individual areas throughout the state will be hosting their own safety education initiatives.

Bromley will host its 15th consecutive Mom’s Day Out fundraiser, Saturday, January 20. Mothers receive a day pass in exchange for a $25 donation to the Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center (SVRCC) based in Bennington. To qualify, mothers need to show a picture of their offspring at the ticket window. Last season, 400 mothers participated.

seniorsskiing

Short Swings!

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POV

Ski lifts are public places and, in my experience, an opportunity to exchange pleasantries with friends and strangers. Over the years, I’ve rarely encountered hostility on chair, gondola or tram. Last season a person on a quad at Alta launched into aggressive hate speech with his friend. At one point I voiced that the chair was an inappropriate place to spew venom. He paused before resuming with even more hateful comments. A few days ago, on another quad, the age peers on my right were discussing the new administration. The younger man to my left introduced a contrarian point of view. As the chair reached higher on the mountain, the younger man became increasingly agitated and his facts more alternative. The fellow to my right turned to him and said, “You look like a nice fellow, but what you’re saying is really far off. Since we’re not going to be able to agree, let’s just talk skiing.” The chair had reached the top.

CALIFORNIA

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows sent a delegation to Genting Secret Garden, the resort’s sister mountain in China. They are generating interest in skiing boarding in China in advance of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. They also hope to spur ski tourism from China to the U.S.

MONTANA

Heads Up! — Sauce is a Montana-based company making wonderful hats and other products. Their Chill Toque is a fleece-lined stretchy head covering with a unique pleated opening that vents the scalp when you need to cool down. During February — National Cancer Prevention Month — for every purchase, Sauce will send, free, a hat to someone designated by the purchaser. As stated on their website: Help someone feel supported, warm and covered while they are in the throes of a cancer battle or during their road to recovery. Sauce hats: https://www.sauceactive.com

PENNSYLVANIA

Here are a few Pennsylvania areas with Valentine’s specials: Blue Knob and Blue Mountain are offering $14 lift tickets, and Ski Sawmill has free skiing for girls of all ages on Feb 13. Numerous areas have special Valentine’s dinners. Visit SkiPA.com for more info and for a $5 off midweek coupon.

UTAH

A few weeks ago we reported on the growing opinion that the massive Outdoor Retailers trade show which convenes twice annually in Salt Lake City should relocate. The reason? Utah’s legislators are committed to anti-environmental and anti-public lands policies. This week, after the state took measures to encourage the new Washington administration to reverse the recently established Bear’s Ears National Monument in southern Utah, Outdoor Retailer announced it is seeking proposals for new venue locations after its current contract in Utah ends in 2018. That was followed by Patagonia’s announcement that it is pulling from the OR show in response to Utah’s actions against the national monument. The trade show has had major economic impact on Utah, something likely to be downplayed by state and federal politicians intent on commercially exploiting everything they can.