EDUCATION PROGRAMS

National Ski Patrol’s education programs are structured to deliver rigorous, scenario-based, and dynamic training that equips patrollers to handle a wide range of outdoor emergency situations year-round. Our curriculum includes certified instruction in Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC), Avalanche, Mountain Travel and Rescue (MTR), Instructor Development, Nordic/Backcountry, Outdoor Risk Management (ORM), Outdoor Emergency Transportation (OET), and Bike for winter and summer operations.

All courses are led by experienced (certified) instructors and align with national safety standards. Patrollers undergo regular skills refreshers, on-hill practical evaluations, and continuing education opportunities to maintain operational readiness. These programs empower patrollers to confidently support ski resorts, bike parks, and backcountry environments.

Our commitment to education ensures that every patroller is prepared to lead, respond effectively to emergencies, and promote safe outdoor recreation with expertise, professionalism, and care.

AVALANCHE

The Avalanche Program offers education for all backcountry enthusiasts, from the first-time recreationalist to search and rescue professionals. The Avalanche Program is aligned with the American Avalanche Association and catered to the needs of patrollers, mountain search and rescue teams, and snow recreation areas. For questions, please contact [email protected].

For resources and more information, click here.

BIKE

The NSP Bike Program offers member training for bike patrollers and hosts. This program is a response to the evolving year-round outdoor recreation industry. As ski areas offer more summer activities, the Bike Program equips patrollers and hosts to support lift-accessed areas as well as land management units, including urban parks and open space parks. For questions, please contact [email protected].

For resources and more information, click here.

INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT

The Instructor Development (ID) Program focuses on the principles of adult learning and provides members with the tools, skills, and resources to ensure quality instructors in all National Ski Patrol disciplines. The ID Program is fundamental to achieving the National Ski Patrol's mission to provide quality education and training to improve the safety of the general public in the pursuit of outdoor activities. For questions, please contact [email protected].

For resources and more information, click here.

MOUNTAIN TRAVEL & RESCUE

The Mountain Travel and Rescue (MTR) Program provides education to ready ski patrollers, search-and-rescue personnel, and other individuals for the secure navigation of mountainous terrains. This includes the skills to lead group outings safely and engage in search-and-rescue missions across mountain, backcountry and off-piste environments. For questions, please contact [email protected].

For resources and more information, click here.

NORDIC/BACKCOUNTRY

The Nordic/Backcountry Program provides services to backcountry enthusiasts by interfacing with the National Forest Service, different park agencies, local search and rescue groups, and alpine and nordic resorts and areas. This program provides skills and information for a variety of equipment types and backcountry survival skills, along with extended patient care skills for backcountry situations. For questions, please contact [email protected].

For resources and more information, click here.

OUTDOOR EMERGENCY CARE
The Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) program is one of the foundational programs for all patrollers. The overlying mission and purpose of the OEC program is to provide a standard of training to meet the medical and educational needs for the NSP patroller and other NSP affiliated outdoor recreational organizations. OEC teaches how to perform safe and effective patient care, stabilization, and extrication of injured persons in outdoor environments.

OUTDOOR FIRST CARE

The Outdoor First Care (OFC) course is an OEC offering, designed for those interested in serving as either a mountain host or bike host. Those who successfully complete the program will be able to provide outdoor basic first aid and patient care. For questions, please contact [email protected].

For resources and more information, click here.

OUTDOOR EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION

The Outdoor Emergency Transportation (OET) Program provides a unique offering that helps the mission of providing quality education and training to enhance people's safety while engaging in outdoor activities. The Outdoor Emergency Transportation Program prepares ski patrollers to safely travel, operate rescue toboggans and assist in ski area operations, including backcountry and off-piste settings. For questions, please contact [email protected].

For resources and more information, click here.

OUTDOOR RISK MANAGEMENT

The Outdoor Risk Management (ORM) Program provides training and education for patrollers who may be asked to perform risk management functions. This program provides patrollers educational content that addresses general risk management concepts, basic legal topics, regulations, standards, generally accepted industry practices, risk identification and mitigation activities, an overview of ski area operations, and personal risk management. contact [email protected].

For resources and more information, click here.