The Mountain Travel and Rescue (MTR) Program is designed to equip ski patrollers, search and rescue responders, and outdoor enthusiasts with the critical skills necessary for safe travel, group management, and participation in search-and-rescue operations in mountainous, backcountry, and off-piste settings. This program is a cornerstone of the National Ski Patrol’s (NSP) mission to provide comprehensive education and training that enhances safety during outdoor activities, particularly in challenging environments.

Program Objectives

The MTR Program’s primary objective is to prepare participants to navigate and operate effectively in mountainous environments. This includes developing competencies in:

• Survival Skills: Techniques for staying alive and comfortable in harsh conditions, including shelter construction, nutrition, and water procurement.
• Wilderness Navigation: Skills in using maps, compasses, and GPS systems to navigate through remote and rugged terrain.
• Mountain Travel Techniques: Safe travel practices for moving through snow-covered and rugged terrains, whether on foot, skis, or snowshoes.
• Hazard Management: Identifying and mitigating risks such as avalanches, crevasses, and severe weather.
• Group Dynamics: Managing and leading groups in challenging conditions, ensuring safety and effective teamwork.
• Search-and-Rescue Operations: Principles and techniques for locating and rescuing individuals in mountainous environments, including the use of ropes, patient transportation, and emergency medical care specific to mountain settings.

Program Structure

The MTR Program is structured into five progressive courses:

1. MTR Fundamentals (MTR F): A foundational course that covers basic survival, navigation, and search-and-rescue skills without an overnight component.
2. MTR 1: Builds on MTR F with hands-on practice in navigation, survival, and search-and-rescue techniques, including an essential overnight field session.
3. MTR 2: An advanced course focusing on proficiency in MTR skills, with extended field sessions and overnight camping to simulate real-life scenarios. Students are expected to demonstrate independence in backcountry skills.
4. MTR Clinic (MTR C): Provides in-depth training on specific MTR skills based on local needs, such as advanced navigation, rope rescue, or winter survival.
5. MTR Enhancement Seminar (MTR E): Focuses on further specialization and mastery of MTR skills, requiring prior completion of MTR F, MTR 1, or MTR 2.

Classroom and Field Sessions

The MTR Program involves both classroom and field-based learning. Classroom sessions can be held indoors or outdoors, provided the environment is conducive to learning with adequate lighting, seating, and access to necessary resources. Field sessions are conducted in outdoor, mountainous, or backcountry terrains, ideally under winter conditions to simulate realistic scenarios. These sessions often include overnight stays in tents or improvised shelters, emphasizing practical, hands-on experience.

Instructor Guidelines

MTR courses are led by certified NSP Mountain Travel and Rescue instructors. Non-certified individuals, such as guest speakers or professionals in mountaineering and search-and-rescue, may participate in teaching under the supervision of the Instructor of Record (IOR). Each course is audited by an Instructor Trainer (IT) to ensure the course’s quality and adherence to NSP standards.

Recommended Text

The required text for all MTR courses is Mountain Travel & Rescue (2nd edition, The Mountaineers Books, Seattle, 2012). This book provides essential information on all aspects of mountain travel and rescue and serves as a comprehensive guide for students. Instructors use the “Mountain Travel & Rescue Instructor’s Manual” to plan and conduct lessons, ensuring consistency and thorough coverage of course content.

Class Size and Ratios

To maintain a high quality of instruction and safety, NSP recommends a maximum class size of 20 students with an instructor-to-student ratio of approximately 1:5.

Comparison with Outdoor Emergency Transportation (OET) Program

The Mountain Travel and Rescue Program differs significantly from the Outdoor Emergency Transportation (OET) Program in both focus and application:

• Primary Focus: MTR focuses on survival, navigation, and search-and-rescue skills in mountainous and backcountry environments, while OET is centered on the safe transportation of injured individuals in a ski area setting, including toboggan handling and patient care during transport.
• Target Audience: MTR is designed for those who will be operating in remote and challenging environments, often far from immediate help, and requires skills in self-sufficiency and leadership in isolated settings. OET, on the other hand, is geared towards ski patrollers working within the bounds of ski resorts, where medical care and infrastructure are more readily available.
• Skills and Techniques: MTR emphasizes backcountry navigation, survival techniques, and complex rescue operations that might involve ropes and extended stays in harsh conditions. OET focuses on the technical skills needed to transport injured skiers down a slope safely and efficiently, often using toboggans.
• Environment: MTR prepares participants for environments that are often off-piste, in rugged, undeveloped terrains where conditions can be unpredictable. OET training is generally within the controlled environment of a ski resort, with a focus on maintaining safety and care on marked trails and slopes.

For more detailed information about the Mountain Travel and Rescue Program or to enroll, visit the NSP website or contact your local NSP division.