Friday, Feb. 6, 2004 | 8:32 a.m.
Want to ski for free at Lee Canyon?
Join the volunteer ski patrol.
OK, so you ski free only while you're serving the public. But a ski day is a ski day. And the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort's ski patrol could use the help.
The 40-year-old ski area 60 miles north of Las Vegas came under new ownership in November. Expansion not only is likely, it's already happening, Jerry Horwitz, a ski patrol member, said.
"We are already seeing the increase in (skiers) on the mountain," Horwitz said. "It is going to be quite a different mountain in the future, and we've got to get up to speed."
And up to staff.
The mountain's three lifts and snowboard terrain park might not seem big compared to other alpine resorts. But at current staffing levels it's about all the volunteer ski patrol can handle on any given weekend, Horwitz said.
"One weekend, we had 400 Hawaiians up there, and most of them had never even seen snow," he said. "A lot of the people who come up there have never been in snow before."
Or on skis.
Harry Weldon, a member of the Lee Canyon crew for 15 years, said the patrol has about 26 members to cover the season. They try to have seven members on the mountain on weekends or holidays.
"But eight is ideal and anything more than that would be better," Weldon said.
Those who join Lee Canyon's group are actually joining the National Ski Patrol, a 66-year-old organization that puts paid and volunteer patrols at ski areas across the country. The medical training and standards are set by the national group, even though patrollers are trained locally at whatever area they work.
Weldon, 75, has been a National Ski Patrol member for 42 years.
That's a whole mess of ski days.
Patrollers pay an annual fee, which this year was $55, and must serve at least 10 days a season to keep their national membership active. Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort encourages its volunteers to serve a minimum of three days a month, Weldon said.
Ski patrol members also must complete 120 hours of emergency medical training -- even if they already are certified emergency medical technicians. The training is specific to snow conditions, ski injuries and the trauma kits the patrol members use.
They also learn how to tote the toboggan used to carried an injured person down the hill.
"We don't require them to be fantastic skiers," he said. "It's a matter of confidence, coordination and knowing what you're doing. Mainly, you keep that toboggan going straight down the hill."
Patrollers must have basic skiing or snowboarding ability and be at least 18 in order to handle the toboggan, Weldon said. The group also accepts skiers or snowboarders who are at least 16 as junior members.
It's hard work, but rewarding, Weldon said.
"We have a lot of fun," he said. "It's a pretty place. And the air is clearer, that's for sure."
A free information class for those interested in learning more about joining the patrol is to be conducted next week. Anyone who wants to attend should call Horwitz at 363-9366 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. any day.
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