Find out about the job of Ski Patroller.

We interviewed Yoann Lelièvre, known as ‘Yo’, a ski patroller working on the Tougnète sector, to find out more about his profession.

 

A ski patroller is a skier’s guardian angel; the security and maintenance of the pistes falls to him. This means he is responsible for marking out the pistes, making sure they are safe, and opening and closing them. He also monitors the avalanche risk, and prevents accidents by setting off controlled avalanches. He performs the role of a first aid worker, evacuating injured skiers, and searches for avalanche victims. A ski patroller also helps welcome the public. We encourage our clients to come and ask us for information and endeavour to answer all your questions.

First of all you have to obtain a first aid certificate (similar to becoming a fireman) and then there is an aptitude test comprising two free descents, one on piste and other off-piste. If you pass the test, you then have to complete 3 weeks mountain rescue training.

At 8am, we open the pistes (patrol the pistes, ensure the marker posts are in position, check for damage and make sure there are no dangers such as stones….) During the day the patroller continues to patrol the pistes and takes part in any rescue operations. 2 patrollers remain at all times in the chalet so they can deal straight away with any rescues, and also give information to skiers on the avalanche danger, the weather or state of the pistes etc. At 5pm, we make sure the last people are off the pistes so that the piste grooming machines can start work on the ski area.

That is when we set off avalanches. From 7.15am all the patrollers who specialise in explosives set off to pre-determined sectors in order to set off avalanches so we can open the pistes safely and as quickly as possible.

You need to be able to work in a team, to like working out of doors in all weather, to enjoy being of service and helping people. For the rescue work, you need qualities of carefulness, calm and courage. You also need to have a good skiing level and be fit as it is a very physically demanding job. 

 

Go with a professional and be equipped with an avalanche receiver, a shovel and probe and know how to use them. It is also important to find out about the wind and check the European Avalanche Risk Rating, which is graded from 1 to 5.

1 = low 2 = limited	yellow flag
3 = considerable 4 = high	checkered flag
5 = very high	black flag

Remember that the areas beyond the marked runs are not controlled for avalanche danger and if you have the slightest doubt, ask for information at the Piste Security chalet at the top of the Tougnète.

Our thanks to Yoann for telling us about his profession. You can find out more about Méribel Alpina’s patrollers on the website http://skis-en-croix.com