The Young Adult Program (YAP) is a volunteer, educational program that introduces teens ages 15-18 (through high school graduation) to ski patrol. YAPs earn their full patrol through the same path as adults, having the same opportunities and benefits. These benefits include camaraderie among similar age participants that share an interest in both snow sports and a desire to help the snow sport community, helping others as a first responder, improving on and learning new skills on the slopes, and learning opportunities that include avalanche, high angle rescue, mountaineering, and instructing.

The National Ski Patrol’s Young Adult Patrol (YAP) Program is an educational program that trains young adults, ages 15 through 17, in emergency response care.
Through mentorship and coaching, the YAP program serves as a foundation for young adults to master the essential skills of critical thinking, collaboration, synergistic teamwork, and leadership in a high caliber team environment.
The Young Adult Patrol Program provides a foundation for future lifelong patrollers and leaders of the NSP.

Young Adult programs at the local level must be conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, school district policies and procedures, and the ski area’s rules and regulations.

NSP Young Adult Program Start Up Manual