Session Descriptions link

Session Descriptions

Friday Pre-Conference

Rope Rescue I (8:30am – 4:30pm) $15
Course Objective:  Introduce Patrollers to safe Rope Rescue practices.  Review safety, equipment, patient packaging, anchors and fundamental rope principles including belay, lowering, and mechanical advantage raising.  Participate in guided practice applying these principles in low angle lowering and raising scenarios. (Tom Hughes) Max 20 Participants
Bring snacks and your lunch to class; we will have a 30-minute lunch break.
Pre-class Assignment: Learn to tie eight required knots

Wintergreen Resort Golf

Friday Afternoon. August 14th

Refresher For IOR & IT’s Only – David Cornelius (3:00 pm)
Max 36 Participants

Saturday: Session 1: 9:15am

Hazard Mitigation/Signage (Session 1 – 09:15 to 10:15)
Identify hazards on the mountain, what to mark, and best marking practices (Michael Barber/Logan Henyon)

Southern Division Safety Initiatives: “How to implement into your Mountain
Safety Program” (Session 1 – 09:15 to 10:15)
This session will discuss how The NSP Safety Team focused on national
initiatives, where we are now with the SD Safety Program and how these division
wide initiatives can be implemented at your mountain. (Brett Henyon)

OET Update (Instructor/Patrollers)(Session 1 – 09:15am to 10:15am)
(Randy Rumer)

Intro to Disability in Adaptive Snowsports (Session 1 – 09:15 to 10:15)
Join us at the adaptive building for a hands-on exploration of the specialized
equipment, such as sit-down skis and tethers, that make skiing accessible and
enjoyable for individuals with disabilities. During this seminar, you’ll discover the
best practices for working with diverse skiers on the mountain and have the
opportunity to ask questions during an open Q&A session. Come learn how to promote inclusivity and empower skiers of all abilities to experience the thrill of
the slopes in this informative and interactive Adaptive Adventure. (Kathleen Snyder)

Session 2: 10:30 am

Winning the Second Half (Session 2 – 10:30 to 11:30)
Physician in family and sports medicine. A former Division I swimmer and lifelong
adventure athlete, Carol is now working as a health coach helping active midlife
women overcome joint pain, weight gain, and low energy so they can become
strong, lean, and confident again. Using evidence-based strategies in strength
training, nutrition, recovery, and lifestyle. Empowering women to maintain
performance, prevent injury, and continue doing the activities they love at high
levels late into life. (Dr. Carol Wilder)

Professional Development and Succession Planning (Session 2 – 10:30 to 11:30)
NSP’s new Leadership Development course, launched in late February and approved as a Senior elective, marks an important step in strengthening our leadership pipeline. This session will explore the program’s ongoing development and how it can be leveraged to build critical soft skills and foster member growth.(Tom Wagner)

The Young Adult Patrol Program and You – updated mission, next generation, discussion, and Q&A.(Session 2 – 10:30 to 11:30)
Calling all patrol directors, representatives, recruiters, trainers, Young Adult Patrollers, and any alpine and senior patrollers. Get recruiting tools, program resources, engage in discussion, and leave with answers to your questions (Veronika Gunter/Jaxson Matula)

Adaptive Lift Evacuation (Session 2 – 10:30 to 12:00)
We all see adaptive skiers on the mountain. Come experience a full Bi-Ski lift evacuation and get hands-on information about other Adaptive equipment (Keith Cassidy)

Session 3: 1:30 pm

NSP Southern Division Snowsports School Presents Best Tools for the Job:
Ski and Snowboard Buyer’s Guidance for Patrollers (Session 3 – 1:30 to 2:30pm)
There’s a remarkably wide array of skis, and snowboards, on the market. We’ll cut through the confusion and discuss how you can narrow your choices to skis and boards that are best for your needs, regardless of brand, along with where and how to buy them. Everything from one-ski quivers suited to all-mountain patrolling in the southeast, to specialty designs for racing, carving, powder, park, or bumps (Matt Weitz/Briggs Allen)

Wheeled Litter Enhancement Seminar (WLES) (Session 3 – 1:30 to 2:30pm)
This course is open to all current patrollers and host members. The WLES is a thorough review and guided practice of Wheeled Litter handling procedures. It is designed to provide instruction and guided practice on the proper inspection, safety checks, and usage of rescue litter transportation. The intent is to have experienced Bike instructor trainers (ITs), and Bike instructors present the proper techniques to handle unloaded and loaded Wheeled Litters on suitable terrain. This enhancement seminar should be conducted at all cycling areas utilizing this equipment, and patrollers should be encouraged to participate. (Jeff Brown/Steve Ebb)

Back to the Basics: Avalanche Beacon Fundamentals – 20 students maximum (Session 3 – 1:30 to 2:30pm)
Come join the Southern Division avalanche instructors and learn all about
avalanche beacons. Who uses them? What are they? When should you use
one? Where can I get one? Why are they important? How do they work? 
Bring all your questions. The class will include a detailed orientation to beacon
use and will conclude with all students using a beacon on two mock search
scenarios. (Michael Olive)

Snowmaking 101 (Session 3 – 1:30 to 2:30pm)
Snowmaking 101 is an introductory course designed for ski patrol members
looking to gain a better understanding of modern snowmaking operations and
equipment. This year’s session will dive into the fundamentals of how resorts
make and manage snow. Topics will include centralized air systems, local air
systems, air/water lances, hydrants, manual and automated snowmaking
operations, as well as an overview of TechnoAlpin T40 and TT10 fan guns and
the technology behind them. The course will provide a practical look at the
equipment, infrastructure, and decision-making that go into building and
maintaining a quality snow surface throughout the season. (Scott Mackay)

Session 4: 3:00pm

The Physics of Toboggan Handling (Session 4 – 3:00pm to 4:00pm)
Owner and Founder of Edge Rescue. Toby has ski patrolled for 33 years as both
an NSP volunteer and a paid patroller. His passion is teaching patrollers the
latest technology in toboggan handling using physics and psychology to
deprogram fear and instill confidence. Learn the differences and history between
the most common ski patrol toboggans and the physical traits that set them
apart. Many of the new techniques discussed will center around the Edge
Rescue toboggan. What else did you expect from the Edge guy? (Toby Willey)

A scientific approach to motivating Patrollers. (Session 4 – 3:00pm to 4:00pm)
This presentation is for leaders and future ski patrol leaders who want to be
successful and keep patrollers active and participating.  It will consist of a short discussion of motivational science, followed by how traditional science relates to
Gen X, Gen Z, Millennials, etc.  It will be followed by practical motivational steps
that everyone can take and adopt for their patrol! (Jonathan Hale)

Adaptive Lift Evacuation (Session 4 – 3:00pm to 4:30pm)
We all see adaptive skiers on the mountain. Come experience a full Bi-Ski lift evacuation and get hands-on information about other Adaptive equipment (Keith Cassidy)

Ski Sharpening: How to sharpen your ski/snowboard (Session 4 – 3:00pm to 4:30pm)
Best practice in equipment sharpening (Chris Faunce)

Sunday Morning

OEC Refresher – Open to all patrollers – Bill Smith (08:00)
Maximum: 36 Participants

Rope Rescue II (8:30am – 3:30pm) $15
Course Objective:  Develop Patrollers knowledge of safe Rope Rescue practices by building on Rope Rescue I content and practice.  Rope Rescue II more deeply explores anchor systems, two rope systems, belay skills, use of mechanical advantage, and patient packaging and litter movement. Participate in practice scenarios requiring Rope Rescue I and Rope Rescue II skills and knowledge. (Tom Hughes) Maximum: 20 Participants
Prerequisite: Completion of Southern Division Rope Rescue I or Instructor Approval

Southern Division BOD Meeting (08:00)