Ski patrol mental health: Alterra rolls out training at 15 resorts including Deer Valley, Solitude

Deer Valley Ski Patrol. Photo: Deer Valley Resort // Dan Campbell

PARK CITY, Utah — Ski patrollers at Deer Valley Resort and Solitude Mountain Resort will receive specialized mental health training starting this fall as part of a three-year program aimed at helping first responders cope with traumatic incidents on the slopes.

The two Utah resorts are among 15 North American ski areas owned by Alterra Mountain Company participating in the initiative with Responder Alliance, an organization that trains first responders in stress management techniques.

Ski patrollers routinely respond to serious accidents, medical emergencies and fatalities. The program follows a two-year pilot at Alterra resorts that the company deemed successful enough to expand.

“Our world-class ski patrollers and heli-guides are critical to the safety and overall guest experience on our mountains, and we value them immensely,” said Jared Smith, CEO of Alterra Mountain Company. “Understanding some of the unique challenges that come with these careers, we are excited to be able to offer them this new level of mental well-being training and support.”

Patrollers will begin with Psychological First Response for Rescue training this fall, followed by courses on Stress Injury Awareness and Incident Support in subsequent seasons. The training focuses on recognizing stress in themselves, coworkers and guests.

The program also includes patrol teams at Steamboat, Winter Park Resort and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, Big Bear Mountain Resort and Snow Valley in California; Stratton Mountain and Sugarbush Resort in Vermont; Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia; Blue Mountain in Ontario; Crystal Mountain in Washington; Schweitzer in Idaho; and two helicopter skiing operations in British Columbia.

“It’s inspiring to see Alterra advancing industry standards for company-wide stress injury mitigation,” said Griffin Lawrence, director of Responder Alliance. “To align with international recommendations, all employers in alpine environments should have a comprehensive risk-management plan, which includes routine training on the hazards of stress exposure.”

Zach Akselrad, ski patrol manager at Winter Park, said the pilot program helped his team. “Learning about psychological first aid and how to measure our own resilience showed our team how to be more prepared during the difficult times, helped us provide better support for our guests, and gave each participating patroller tools to work towards mental wellbeing and ultimately personal resilience and patrol success,” he said.