Interested in Joining up?
The requirements to join the any Patrol in the European Division are governed by the National Ski Patrol. In summary, they are:
- Over 18 years of age (considered for the Adult program or
- 15 years with parent/guardian consent (considered for the Young Patroller program)
- Demonstrated willingness to volunteer
Essentially you must successfully pass the required classroom and practical curriculum and attend On-The Hill (OTH) training/evaluations and annual refresher events. It is important to note that 99% of our coursework is conducted in English; you'll need a better than average working knowledge of the English language. We do have a number of bilingual and multilingual members who can help out if you're still perfecting your skills.
While you may only be a volunteer while participating in the European Division, you'll still be a member of the professional rescue community. As a professional rescuer, many of the costs associated with maintaining your training level can be tax deductible. Obviously, you'll need to talk to you own tax accountant to determine how best to take advantage of those opportunities (the European Division does not give out tax advice).
A large portion of the European Division's success is the consistent support provided to us by U.S. Forces overseas. While we benefit from the dedication and professionalism of deployed forces, their community also benefits from the training and experience provided by the National Ski Patrol.
Costs (as of 1 Aug 2021):
Annual Membership Dues
- NSP: $55
- Division: $20
- Patrol: $0-$10 (varies according to each individual patrol)
Associated Costs:
- OEC Course Fee: $60 (one time)
- Refresher Training Travel/Lift Passes: varies depending on the country of the training venue
- On The Hill Training Travel/Lift Passes: varies depending on the country of the training venue
Benefits
- Cultivating you own self-development into a very marketable skill while understanding how to take care of yourself and loved ones in an emergency.
- Potential professional discounts with NSP Partner Vendors; check NSP Magazine for current details.
- Volunteer recognition in your community/work.
- Easily integrating into a US Patrol with a positive reputation if/when you return to the USA.
Visit the Contacts and the Patrol pages to find the Patrol nearest you for info on joining. If you feel it's right for you, we'd love to assist you on your NSP journey!