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As we congregate to congrat- ulate ski patrollers of the Intermountain area, we contemplate nearly 60 years of the on-mountain heroics of those who were pioneers of the ski patrol movement. Although men and women of today's patrols also perform heroic acts, conditions were different then. Lift- or tow-assisted recreational skiing was new-brand new. There was loads of fun to be had for the skiing public, but along with the fun came mishap and injury. Safety techniques, methods and equipment were yet to be developed. Most of the equipment was of the homemade or self-modified variety. Jim Shane, an early Alta patrolman, helped develop a toboggan requiring a rear brakeman that was well accepted and widely used for evacuating injured skiers from the mountain. Ray Nye, one of only a handful of Utah patrolmen with a National Ski Patrol number lower than 1,000, recalled some pre-Shane sleds. "It was just starting out [in the late `30~1. All of our toboggans were Jim Shane and Harold Goodro on Patrol in the 1940's Ski Patrol: Heroes of the Slopes! by Joe Arave recreational toboggans. We would have two back ropes tied on the back, a lead rope on the front and canvas covering the first aid stuff." Most of the patrollers in the early days were local volunteers anxious to promote skiing, and who understood the need to develop a program for skiing safety. From the beginning, however, ski patrol was a national movement. Founded in 1938 by Charles Minot (Minnie) Dole, the National Ski Patrol System sought to organize and standardize the efforts of local patrol members. Many in the Intermountain region joined up. By 1941, the National Ski Patrol reported that nearly 5,000 accident victims had been cared for by patrolmen-patrolmen who were on the scene with reassurance and first-aid training. Certainly a heroic effort. Locally, there were patrolmembers who were part of the Salt lake Metropolitan Patrol, a group affiliated with the National Ski Patrol System. help others. Sverre Engen, an early placed life and limb in jeopardy to Alta patrolman and the Wasatch Front's first snow ranger, was known for many heroic acts, including the saving of several lives. In 1947, Sverre received the silver merit star for "the high caliber of interest and actions in upholding the highest traditions of the National Ski Patrol System." Although many of the duties seemed routine, patrolmembers Whether it's a skier who needs guidance, a word of encour- agement, a helping hand, or quick transport off the mountain, the ski patrol is there to oblige. While many of us have been told by the patrol to slow down, few of us have had the misfortune of riding off the mountain in a ski patrol toboggan- but we all benefit from their vigi- lance each time we ski. They find the lost, bandage the broken, and comfort the injured and frightened. For those who pioneered the way, the University of Utah Marriott Library Ski Archives wishes to give thanks and honor to the heroes of the slopes at the 1996 Ski Affair. |
