Join Camelback Ski Patrol

Become a Ski Patroller at Camelback Mountain

Be the first on the mountain, and the last one off.

Imagine carving down fresh, untouched corduroy before the lifts open to the public. Picture yourself leading a team through a crisp winter morning, knowing you have the elite medical skills to save a life and the rescue training to manage anything you may find on the mountain. Joining Camelback Ski Patrol isn't just volunteering, it’s joining an elite brotherhood and sisterhood of outdoor first responders.

If you love winter sports, thrive in dynamic outdoor environments, and want to give back to the community, joining the Camelback Ski Patrol is the ultimate volunteer experience in the Pocono Mountains. As a member of the National Ski Patrol (NSP), you will receive elite training in wilderness medicine, winter rescue tactics, and emergency management.

We are a dedicated crew of over 120 volunteer and paid first responders managing slope safety, guest education, and emergency care at Camelback Mountain Resort in Tannersville, Pennsylvania.

Your Candidate Journey: From Prospect to Alpine Patroller

Becoming a ski patroller is a structured, step-by-step process built around mountain safety, medical excellence, and hands-on training. We accept applications year-round, and your transition into a ski patroller follows a clear seasonal pipeline.

Inquiry, Ski Evaluation & Apprenticeship

Phase 1: Winter Season

Your journey starts on the snow. Once you reach out to our recruitment team, we schedule an on-mountain ski or snowboard evaluation to assess your skills on intermediate and advanced terrain. If your riding mechanics meet our baseline, you will be invited back for a Shadow Day to experience a shift behind the scenes. If everything goes well, you finish out the season as a Patrol Apprentice, helping with basic operations while learning trail layouts, with no patient care or transport duties yet.

Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) Training

Phase 2: July – December

After a brief early-summer downtime, your medical training begins. In July, we kick off the National Ski Patrol's Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) course. The initial phases are handled online, allowing you to study the medical curriculum from home. In September, we transition to mandatory weekly in-person practical skills sessions, running through December to prepare you for your final evaluations.

Pre-Season Refreshers & Operations

Phase 3: November

Before the snow drops, the full patrol gathers for an annual "On The Hill" refresher. This focuses on what’s new at Camelback, chairlift evacuation simulations, and operational updates for the upcoming winter. Training modules cover a rotating list of essential patrol skills, including radio etiquette, incident report documentation, equipment handling, guest service fundamentals, and more.

Outdoor Emergency Transport (OET) Training

Phase 4: The Following Winter Season

Once the mountain opens in December and you pass your OEC medical evaluations, you officially join the roster as a Candidate. You will work active shifts while entering our structured Outdoor Emergency Transportation (OET) training program that refines ski skills and teaches you how to safely operate a toboggan to transport patients down the mountain. From January through March, you will master the mechanics of safely handling these toboggans on all terrain types. Toward the end of the season, you will take your final OET evaluation. Passing this milestone promotes you to a fully credentialed Alpine Patroller.

We Welcome Regional Volunteers

While Camelback Resort is in Monroe County, PA, a massive portion of our roster consists of dedicated volunteers from across the Tri-State area. Because Camelback is easily accessible via I-80 and the Northeast Extension, we have countless volunteers living within a 1-to-2-hour drive.

Our active members comfortably commute from these primary regional hubs:

Under 1 Hour (Poconos & Lehigh Valley): Stroudsburg, Tobyhanna, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and Scranton.
1 to 1.5 Hours (North & Central New Jersey): Morristown, Clinton, Wayne, Bridgewater, and Sussex County.
1.5 to 2+ Hours (Metro NY & Philly): Bucks County, Philadelphia suburbs, North Bergen, New York City, and Western Long Island.

Unlike many ski patrols across Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey that have unpredictable schedules or random on-call shifts, Camelback features a highly unique, predictable scheduling model for volunteers. This makes our patrol incredibly friendly for weekend commuters and out-of-town professionals.

Predictable Weekly Commitment: You commit to the exact same night shift each week, allowing you to easily balance work, school, and family.

Flexible Day Shifts: Beyond your fixed weekly night shift, you commit to a total of just 13 day shifts spread across the entire winter season.
Weekend-Friendly Training: All first-season candidate training (including your first aid and on-snow ski/toboggan work) is held on weekends.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the minimum requirements to apply?

To join us, you must be at least 18 years old, possess strong customer service and communication skills, and have a passion for team-oriented emergency operations. If you are between 15 and 17 and have a parent that works or volunteers at Camelback Resort, ask us about our Young Adult Patroller (YAP) program.

Do I need to be an elite, expert skier or rider?

No. You do not need to be an extreme athlete or a racer. You do, however, need to be a solid, confident, advanced-intermediate skier or snowboarder. You must be able to control your speed, stop instantly, and safely navigate all terrain at Camelback in poor visibility, ice, or heavy slush.

I am already a certified EMT-B or Paramedic. Do I still need to take OEC?

We highly value medical professionals (EMTs, Paramedics, Nurses, Doctors). However, first aid in the middle of a ski trail or in the woods is quite different from that on an ambulance or in a medical facility. For that reason, Camelback Ski Patrol requires all candidates to complete the Outdoor Emergency Care course, regardless of existing medical credentials.

Do I need to have prior medical training or experience to join?

No, prior medical education or experience is not required. While our ranks proudly include doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics, and other healthcare professionals, we train volunteers from all vocational backgrounds.

We provide the complete educational framework you need right here on the patrol:

Comprehensive Certifications: The National Ski Patrol’s Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) course provides all the formal, specialized medical training required to manage trauma and medical emergencies in winter environments. Additionally, we require—and fully provide—professional-level CPR training for healthcare providers.
Real-World Pairing: You won't be thrown into patient care situations alone. During your first active season on the snow, you will always be paired up with a seasoned Camelback Patroller to help you apply your training, refine your skills, and build your confidence in real mountain rescues.

Whether you are a corporate professional, a trade worker, or a student, we will give you the tools, education, and experience to become an effective first responder on the snow.

What are the perks of volunteering?

Beyond life-saving medical skills and elite outdoor training, our members enjoy National Ski Patrol registration perks, industry pro-deals on major outdoor gear brands, mountain access benefits, and an unparalleled community of outdoor-minded peers.

After meeting certain requirements, you can also earn ski/snowboard benefits for your immediate family and vouchers to share with co-workers, friends, and extended family so they can experience everything that Camelback Resort has to offer.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Applications for our upcoming winter training block are actively being reviewed. It all starts with an email to join@camelbackskipatrol.com. Our recruitment team will reach out to you, answer any questions you have, and help get your ski/snowboard evaluation scheduled.