Who We Are

A legacy of service and safety

Serving outdoor communities since 1938.

National Ski Patrol (NSP) was founded in 1938 by Charles Minot “Minnie” Dole as part of the National Ski Association. Under his leadership, NSP quickly grew into a nationwide organization, reaching 4,000 members across 300 patrols by 1950 and helping shape the culture of safety and service in the emerging U.S. ski industry.

During World War II, Dole played a pivotal role in forming the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division, with NSP screening many of its members. Veterans of this unit later helped establish and expand ski areas across the country, leaving a lasting impact on the sport. In recognition of its legacy of service, NSP received a federal charter from Congress in 1980.

Guided by its creed of “Service and Safety,” NSP has evolved alongside the growth of snow sports, expanding training to support new disciplines, backcountry access, and year-round outdoor recreation, including bike patrol. Today, NSP includes more than 30,000 members and serving over 650 patrols in the U.S. and internationally.

Mission & Vision

Guided by purpose. Built for impact.

NSP’s work is rooted in education, leadership, and service to the people and places that make outdoor recreation possible.Our core value reside with Excellence, Service, Camaraderie, Leadership, Integrity and Responsiveness.

Our Mission

To promote safety and service in outdoor recreation by educating, training, and supporting dedicated patrollers who assist those enjoying mountains, trails, and slopes.

Our Vision

To be the preeminent provider of outdoor safety and rescue education, empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills to help increase their safety and the safety of others in all outdoor environments.

Education & Programs

Training that prepares people for real-world response.

Education is the foundation and heart of the National Ski Patrol. The organization is focused on providing first-class training, education, and professional development opportunities that patrollers and hosts need to perform their critical function on mountains or areas, throughout both winter and summer seasons. Educational opportunities are offered across NSP’s three disciplines: Alpine, Bike, and Nordic/Backcountry and cover a variety of program areas and interest groups.

Across these disciplines and programs, NSP provides the following educational services:

- Online courses with the information patrollers and hosts need to know
- Virtual and in-person training provided by a robust network of NSP-certified instructors
- Pathways to professional development and certifications in the outdoor safety and rescue industry
- National and regional conferences with a variety educational opportunities
- One-on-one mentoring at various stages of patroller/host/instructor development

Education Programs

At NSP, we offer courses and training through eight education programs:

Avalanche, Bike, Instructor Development, Mountain Travel and Rescue, Nordic/Backcountry, Outdoor Emergency Care (including the Outdoor First Care course), Outdoor Emergency Transportation, and Outdoor Risk Management. Courses offered include both online learning and in-person, hands-on skills training.

The National Ski Patrol's core duty since its beginning has been service and safety. The flagship program, Outdoor Emergency Care, is mandatory for all patrollers, regardless of their patrol type. It caters to alpine, bike, nordic/backcountry patrollers and sets the training standard for NSP and its affiliated outdoor recreational groups. Mountain hosts can opt for Outdoor First Care, a leading program offering fundamental outdoor first aid, patient care training, and assessment. Unique and foundational to NSP and its patrollers is the Outdoor Emergency Transportation program. This provides training in proper extrication of patients to emergency medical services, using toboggans and other equipment.

Sign in or create an account to learn more about our education programs.

Support Beyond Technical

In addition to providing training for technical patroller skills, NSP focuses on a variety of other areas that help all of our members thrive. NSP interest groups help support the educational mission of NSP through their superior specialty work. Interest groups include: Alumni, Awards, Historian, Legal, Medical, Telecommunications, Women's and Young Adult. These groups provide a variety of functions and resources for the whole NSP community.

Sign up to learn more about our interest groups.

Advancement & Professional Development

Whether a volunteer or professional, NSP encourages our members to take their training to the next level. There are a variety of professional development opportunities and ways to advance your patroller skillset within NSP. Many patrollers decide to pursue the leadership route and become instructors, instructor trainers, or mentors. NSP instructors provide a critical function in ensuring the quality and standard of training across all patrols, disciplines, and programs.

To take their training to the next level, NSP also offers several certifications for patrollers to advance and demonstrate their expertise. Certifications require cross-functional skill mastery, and patrollers can earn the following certifications: Senior (basic, alpine, and nordic), Certified (highest alpine level), Nordic Master (highest nordic level).

Sign in or create an account to learn more about certifications.

Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC)

Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) is National Ski Patrol’s signature training program, equipping patrollers with the skills to respond confidently in dynamic, outdoor environments. Built for real-world conditions, OEC blends hands-on scenarios with practical medical training to prepare responders for everything from trauma incidents to complex rescues.

Designed to adapt alongside the outdoor industry, the OEC curriculum supports a wide range of roles, from ski patrol to bike patrol and other outdoor professionals. Its emphasis on decision-making, teamwork, and environment-specific care makes it trusted for safety across diverse terrains & activities.

Explore how OEC continues to evolve and connect with the medical committee to learn more.

Our Members & Impact

People helping people enjoy the outdoors safely.

NSP members serve as patrollers, emergency care providers, educators, and safety leaders across ski areas, trails, backcountry settings, and community spaces.

30,000+

Members serving communities globally.

Established 1938

A legacy of organized outdoor safety and rescue.

Year-round

Education and service across changing recreation environments.

Annual Report

Stewardship & progress.

Our annual report provides a public look at NSP’s impact, programs, financial stewardship, and priorities for the future.

See how NSP is serving members, partners, and outdoor communities.

The 2025 National Ski Patrol Annual Report highlights key achievements, member impact, program growth, and organizational priorities, showcasing how NSP continues to advance safety and education across outdoor recreation.

Key organizational achievements
Membership and program highlights
Financial overview and stewardship
Strategic priorities for the year ahead

Read the Latest Annual Report

Built on service. Powered by people.

Learn more about NSP’s programs, membership, and the patrollers who help make outdoor recreation safer for everyone.

Explore NSP Programs