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The Sweep!
The
NSP Month in Review
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NATIONAL
SKI PATROL
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133
S. Van Gordon St. 100
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 I want to thank all of the members who participated in the
recent Brand Identity survey. The objective of the survey was to ask
members their opinion of the NSP shield and cross logos, and how we can
reinvigorate our brand at ski areas and with the general public. In
addition to surveying members, we also asked for input from our resort
and sponsorship partners. I am pleased to report that over 3900 members
participated (approximately 17 percent), along with 23 percent of
resort operators and 46 percent of our sponsors. The survey responses
showed that, by a significant majority, the shield logo was most
closely identified with the NSP brand today.
In response to the survey, work is underway to recommend
organization-wide standard uses of both the shield and cross logos.
There will be further reports on this in the coming months. Once again,
I want to thank all the members who participated and sent their
comments.
One comment was particularly poignant, which I want to
share with you: "It is important to splash the NSP logos
everywhere we can, but what is really important is to show off what
great people make up our organization."
As a first-year patroller, I am learning many lessons.
This past weekend, I learned about the importance of teamwork on the hill.
The incident took place at the bottom of an unload ramp. A young
snowboarder fell and badly twisted his ankle in the snowboard binding.
It took a well-coordinated effort of lift operations, patrollers, and
mountain hosts to provide an appropriate level of scene safety for the
injured, the patrollers working the accident, and the public riding the
chairlift. If you have not already done so, I recommend patrols review
such a scenario in the event it happens at your area.
Speaking of teamwork and team leaders, we are pleased to
report that Burt Mitchell has been selected to be the new board chair.
Burt is a dedicated patroller with a heart as big as Texas and a wealth
of experience. We know Burt will do an outstanding job guiding the
organization. I know I share Burt's sentiments when I say we can
accomplish many things as an organization, but we must work together
and in measured steps. Best wishes to Burt for a most successful
chairmanship. We also want to thank Bela Musits for his service as
chair during the past year.
Stay safe out there.
Sincerely,
Tim White
Executive Director, NSP
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Board Changes
At the January
board meeting in Denver, several changes took place. Board Chair Bela
Musits decided not to run again for the chair position. Burt Mitchell,
of the Pahquioque Ski Patrol in Connecticut, was elected as our new
board chair. Several committee positions also changed. Scott Marland
will continue as chair of the Planning Committee. Jim Decker will take
over for Clark Noble as chair of the Governance Committee. Norris Woody
will take over for Burt Mitchell as chair of the Finance Committee, and
Larry Bost will continue as chair of the Education Committee.
RFBA 07-08
RFBA 07-08, concerning NSP skills classifications, is
currently under consideration. Members can read more about the proposal
here. This link
will not work unless you are already logged in.
Patrols and
Mountain Hosts
We want to welcome the latest patrols
and mountain host programs to the NSP family.
New Volunteer
Patrol in the Eastern Division
E050 Eaglebrook Deerfield, Mass.
New Mountain Host
HP-F022 Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard
Resort Mountain Host, Nevada
New Affiliates
W123 - Australasian Registry of
Emergency Medical Technicians, Queensland, Australia
W124 - Chugach Powder Guides, Alaska
Dan Hill
interviewed by local TV affiliate
After reading Tim White's piece in the December Sweep, Dan Hill, a
member of the Bittersweet Ski Patrol in Otsego, Mich., who patrolled at
the 2010 Olympics in Whistler, B.C., contacted us at NSP about helmet
use. Dan was interviewed by a local TV station, WoodTV8, regarding the
Lids on Kids campaign, which seeks to get more children wearing ski
helmets, as well as about skier safety. Watch the interview here! Good job
Dan!
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Marketing/
Communications/ Events
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 Sponsor Spotlight: Hestra Guide
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Sponsor Spotlight:
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a removable LCD screen that attaches to the camera. It allows for easy
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increase the battery life, or as a standalone charger.
 Sponsor Spotlight:
DeFeet Socks
Looking for some fun winter and summer
socks?! DeFeet is offering discounts to all NSP members on ALL
their socks. You must enter in the NSP coupon code to receive the
discount. You can find the coupon code on the NSP Pro Page under the
DeFeet logo. Once you have the code, start shopping at www.defeet.com! They have some
really awesome spring and summer running and bike socks too.
Sponsor Spotlight: Skier's Edge
On the slopes, the National Ski Patrol helps everyone. Off
the slopes, the Skier's Edge helps those who need to be their
best. The Skier's Edge is an exceptional
cardiovascular workout and strengthens ski-specific muscles. It's the
perfect training tool to keep you in shape. As the official supplier to
the National Ski Patrol, we offer a 25 percent discount for first time
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FREE Buyers Guide and DVD.
NSP Photo Contest
Thank you to everyone who submitted images to the NSP Photo Contest! We
received over 400 photos. We will announce the winners on February 2 by
5 p.m. MST on our website.
NSP
Safety Quiz
All skiers and riders can test their
ski and ride safety knowledge by taking the interactive and fun NSP
Snowsmarts Safety Quiz found online at NSP.
Answer ski and ride questions that are skied onto your computer screen
by a patroller based on your ski level ability. Answer all the
questions in your category and register to win prizes donated by
Nordica and FLOW. Be Snowsmart!
NSP
Photo Site
You do not need a login ID to view the photos posted by
your fellow patrollers at the NSP photo site. Simply click this link, or go to Flickr and search
for NSP Photos under Users. The login ID is used if you want to post
new photos of an event or your patrol. To post photos, go to Flickr, click Sign In,
enter the login ID "nspphotos" and the password. The password
for February is Yakima (capitalize the "Y"); if the login
does not work, e-mail Candace Horgan.
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A Message from Education Director Darcy Hanley
 All patrollers are to be commended for making
skiing/boarding/telemarking/Nordic safe for all of us that enjoy the
winter snow. As you are training alpine candidates or working with
those who may be getting ready for Senior or Certified tests, think
about shooting video! You can send video clips to me by e-mail.
This collective NSP patrol effort will be used to provide a visual demo
of toboggan handling and ski skills. Clips will be sorted, labeled,
described and extensively used as an excellent visual demo of the very
skills that are necessary in toboggan handling. The software we will
use is V1, and a video locker will be accessible by fall 2011 for every
patroller to reinforce learning or to initiate training.
There is an update on the revision of
the program manuals. The OEC 5th edition will be available for
all patrollers on May 1, 2011. Brady will provide a purchase coupon on
the NSP website so you will be able order your book and it will be
shipped directly to you. The release cost is $65.60 (includes
shipping). This initial pricing is 25 percent off list price and is
good for one year from publication. More specific ordering information
will be forthcoming in future Sweeps.
The OEC Refresher Guide will
be available in June for the Cycle A 2011 refresher, and will be
shipped with the summer Ski Patrol Magazine.
The OEC 4th edition
materials/test will not be available after May 1, 2011. Current OEC
classes using the 4th edition should be completed by May 1. Please contact me
with any questions you may have.
The Ski Patroller's Manual, Instructor
Development Manual, and Mountain Travel and Rescue Manual
are now in the pipeline for revision. The ID course will be in beta
testing for a distance learning course.
NSP has also adopted Know
Before You Go,an avalanche awareness course for young adults
who are actively skiing in the backcountry. If you would like
information about this excellent program, please contact me.
Many of you may have used
Pointers. This will be published again in the spring with the
release of the OEC 5th edition. Pointers will be
available only in an electronic form which can be downloaded from the
NSP website.
It is vital for our organization to
provide opportunities and accessibility to our programs that are in
line with 21st century learning. That means we must begin to transition
to distance-learning lessons, video, wikis, blogs and social networks.
This does not in any way replace the hands-on application of our skills
and training in the field. It does mean we can reach many patrollers
who may need the classroom in a mobile environment. Resources that have
been provided in a book format will be accessible on your computer,
phone or iPad. These are exciting opportunities for NSP!
Enjoy your days on the snow, and if
there is anything I can do to assist you, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Darcy Hanley
NSP Education Director
NSP First Aid Travel Kit 
The
National Ski Patrol and Adventure Medical Kits have teamed up to cre a te the NSP First
Aid Travel Kit. This kit is perfect for the car or your backpack, and
is sure to be the best looking first aid kit you will ever own! The
NSP-branded kits are available in the online catalog for $15 each, or
if you would like to buy a larger quantity, the kit price drops to $10
per kit when ordering six or more! A perfect fundraising item, the NSP
First Aid Travel Kits are sure to be a hit for your patrols next fundraiser!
If you have any questions about ordering the kits, contact Josh
Jacobson.
2010 National Ski Patrol Online Auction
NSP
would like to thank everyone who participated in the 2010 NSP online
auction! The auction was a success again this year, and we hope to
increase its success in 2011. The auction brought in a total of $8,400
into the organization, $6,500 of which will go directly to the
fundraising campaign. The popular items in 2010 were the retro NSP
memorabilia, such as the Retro NSP Sweater ($205), and the Retro NSP
belt buckle ($180). If you have items like these that you would like to
donate for the 2011 online auction, please contact Josh Jacobson.
A special thanks to all of the donors for the auction; without your
contributions, the auction would not have been possible!
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Rookie
patroller chronicles experiences
Josh Allen, a rookie patroller at Okemo in Ludlow, Vt., is writing a
bi-weekly blog in Yankee Magazine about his experience transitioning
from candidate to patroller. Check it out here! Josh posts a new
entry every other Friday, and will be writing through the end of the
season. So far, he has chronicled his OEC class and test, learning how
to drive a toboggan, and responding to his first injury.
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Featured Item: Hestra Vertical Cut Freeride
This short freeride glove, made from durable leather with a
close-fitting neoprene cuff, is the best freeride glove you will ever
own. Tight fitting with external seams for increased comfort and a
perfect, firm, pole grip, it is a shorter version of Hestra's legendary
Vertical Cut racing glove. The outer is a mix of Cordura stretch and
Army goatskin leather, while the Thermolite insulation keeps you warm
and the neoprene cuff with Velcro closure helps keep the snow out. This
glove is available to you at a great price of $92, an amazing deal for
a top-of-the-line leather glove. Head to the online catalog today to
pick up your pair of the Vertical Cut Freeride!
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NSP Visitors
of the Month
Whitetail Ski Patrol Candidates
Steve Bravo and Amy Reinink stopped by while visiting
Steve's mom, Susan Shortino.
Thanks for stopping by!
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The Sweep was created to keep NSP members informed about
national news. An archive of all issues of The Sweep is maintained
under the Newsletters section of Member News.
After logging in, click Newsletters from the Quick Links menu. If you
have news that's relevant to the national ski patrol audience, we
invite you to submit it for consideration for The Sweep. Please e-mail
it to editorial by
the 15th of each month.
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