About NSP

In March 1938, while officiating a ski race at Mt. Mansfield in Stowe, Vermont, Roger F. Langley, then president of the National Ski Association, had an industry changing idea. Langley was so impressed by the organization of the Mt. Mansfield Ski Patrol that he asked its founder and leader, Charles Minot “Minnie” Dole, if he would organize a national patrol like the one at Mt. Mansfield. Not one to shy away from a challenge and having lost a friend on the slopes two years earlier, “Minnie” accepted, and the National Ski Patrol was born.

Today, the nonprofit National Ski Patrol still adheres to the creed of “Service and Safety” established more than 70 years ago. As the industry has evolved, so too has the NSP. The emergence of new snowsports like snowboarding, tubing and snow-skating has introduced new equipment and terrain requiring new safety and rescue techniques and emergency care methods to be developed and taught. In addition, greater access to the backcountry has brought new training and regimens for NSP members as well.

As the leading authority of on-mountain safety, the NSP is dedicated to serving the public and outdoor recreation industry by providing education and accreditation to emergency care and safety service providers. The organization is made up of more than 27,000 members serving over 600 patrols, including alpine, nordic and auxiliary patrollers. Our members work on behalf of local ski and snowboard areas to improve the overall experience for outdoor recreationalists.