What is Sugar Bowl National Ski Patrol?

Updated

Sugar Bowl National Ski Patrol (SBSP) is a ski patrol made up of National Ski Patrol (NSP) members who serve Sugar Bowl Ski Resort in Norden, California, about 30 miles northwest of Lake Tahoe. The organization describes itself as providing service and safety since 1938, and its site is mainly a place to learn about the patrol, consider joining, volunteer, or donate.

What the patrol does

SBSP members work on the mountain at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort. According to the site, their activities include:

  • Setting up the hill before it opens to the public
  • Attending to injured guests
  • Engaging customers in conversation on the mountain

The patrol's stated goal is to provide the best possible experience to every visitor to the resort.

What makes this patrol distinctive

The site highlights a few characteristics that shape what patrolling here involves:

Feature Detail from the site
Terrain Over 50% rated advanced or expert
Avalanche classification A "Class A" avalanche area
Snowfall Average annual snowfall exceeding 450 inches
Location Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, Norden, California

The combination of a challenging mountain, a Class A avalanche area, and heavy snowfall means patrol work here is oriented toward a demanding alpine environment rather than a small local hill.

Who the members are

The SBSP has nearly 100 members, both paid and volunteer. The site notes that for many members, being a ski patroller has been a lifelong dream come true.

Organization type

The Patrol is a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization. That status is relevant if you are considering donating, since contributions to a 501(c)(3) organization may be tax-deductible depending on your situation.

How to get involved

The site offers three main paths:

  • Join — Learn about the candidate process if you are interested in becoming a patroller. The site frames this around questions like whether you are up to new challenges, love to ski or snowboard, and want to help others while engaging in the sport.
  • Volunteer — The Patrol is a volunteer organization, and the site directs interested people to a volunteer button to get started.
  • Donate — Donations are accepted via Venmo.

If you are exploring membership, the candidate process page is the place to start, since it explains what the patrol expects before you commit.