The "Class of 2000" takes a few minutes from training to pose.

Your Candiate Year

OK, you looked hot in the ski-off and believe that you ski better than many patrollers already on the mountain. What can you expect during your candidate year?

The candidate year is organized into approximately 8-10 training weekends running from early December through March, culminating in a practical first aid and toboggan handling exam called "The Basic Test".

Training weekends start by signing-on in the morning by 7:30 am and going all day until the mountain sweep is finished at around 5:30 pm.  Mornings consist of toboggan practice and first aid scenarios. Afternoons may consist of "shadowing" a patroller and helping out while learning the mountain and its protocols.

Dates for training weekends are announced in October. You may only miss a few with a good excuse. In addition to training weekends, candidates may also shadow a patroller on any given regular day of the season, including weekdays.

Successful candidates typically put in several patrol days in addition to the specified 8-10 training weekends.

Candidates have described the candidate year as grueling, arduous, physically demanding and exhilerating. Be prepared to sweat, especially during toboggan-handling sessions. Successful candidates tend to be in good physical shape, team players, alert-minded with a capacity to learn, sympathetic to criticism, with a good sense of humour. Patience and an open mind are highly recommended.