Educational Programs
Avalanche
The Avalanche Program provides education for all levels of backcountry users—from first-time recreationists to search and rescue professionals. Aligned with the American Avalanche Association, the program serves patrollers, mountain rescue teams, and snow recreation areas.
Bike
The NSP Bike Program provides training for patrollers and hosts, preparing them to meet the needs of the growing year-round outdoor recreation industry. As ski areas expand their summer offerings, the program ensures participants are ready to support lift-accessed bike parks, urban parks, open spaces, and other managed lands.
Instructor Development
The Instructor Development (ID) Program centers on the principles of adult learning, equipping members with the tools, skills, and resources needed to become effective instructors across all National Ski Patrol disciplines. This program plays a vital role in fulfilling NSP’s mission to deliver high-quality education and training that enhances public safety in outdoor recreation.
Mountain Travel & Rescue
The Mountain Travel and Rescue (MTR) Program trains ski patrollers, search-and-rescue personnel, and outdoor enthusiasts in the safe navigation of mountainous terrain. It emphasizes essential skills for leading group outings and conducting search-and-rescue operations in mountain, backcountry, and off-piste environments. As a core component of the National Ski Patrol’s mission, the MTR Program promotes safety through high-quality education and training for those involved in outdoor activities.
Nordic - BackCountry
The Nordic/Backcountry Program supports backcountry enthusiasts by collaborating with the U.S. Forest Service, park agencies, local search and rescue teams, and both alpine and Nordic resorts. The program offers training in diverse equipment use, backcountry survival techniques, and extended patient care skills tailored to remote and challenging environments.
Outdoor Emergency Care
The Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) Program is a cornerstone of training for all patrollers. Its primary mission is to establish a consistent standard of medical education to meet the needs of NSP patrollers and affiliated outdoor recreation organizations. OEC equips participants with the skills to deliver safe, effective patient care, including stabilization and extrication, in outdoor and challenging environments.
Outdoor First Care
The Outdoor First Care (OFC) course, part of the OEC program, is tailored for individuals interested in serving as mountain or bike hosts. Upon successful completion, participants will be prepared to deliver basic first aid and patient care in outdoor settings.
Outdoor Emergency Transportation
The Outdoor Emergency Transportation (OET) Program plays a vital role in supporting NSP’s mission to deliver high-quality education and training for outdoor safety. This program prepares ski patrollers to navigate varied terrain, operate rescue toboggans, and assist in ski area operations—including in backcountry and off-piste environments.
Outdoor Risk Management
Launched in spring 2019, the Outdoor Risk Management (ORM) Program was developed to train patrollers in essential risk management practices, particularly for those supporting resort operations. The program covers key topics such as legislation, industry standards, risk identification and mitigation, and provides an overview of the operational roles of on-mountain departments, including ski and ride school, lift operations and maintenance, terrain parks, snowmaking, and grooming.