Geography and Early Ski Area History
The Blue Knob Ski Area was created in 1962 from a US Air Force Radar Station which closed in 1961. Most of the early patrollers were from the Washington, DC area. The Ski Area and the Patrol expanded over the years with more lifts and trails, and the recruitment of skiers and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's) from the local area.
Early ski operations were challenging with the base at the summit and it's associated weather along with the need to transport injured skiers up the mountain. First Aid Care and Training expanded with the advent of the US Dept of Transportation nationwide EMT system and the improved National Ski Patrol (NSP) Winter Emergency Care (WEC) and Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) programs. Training has since expanded and patrol members are also National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) Technicians
The use of hand held mobile radios for communications and snowmobiles for uphill transport were major changes that improved the Ski Patrol Operations. The Patrol averaged 50-60 patrollers over the years with an active Young Adult Patroller (YAP) program and produced many Seniors, four Certified (two Pros and two Volunteers), along with six Nationals and a NSP National Treasurer who received the NSP Minnie Dole Award.
The Professional Patrol was expanded in the late 90's and 00's along with additional training and the acquisition of national credentials obtained by Professional Patrollers in the areas of Certified Status, Search and Rescue and Mountain Rescue Associations (NASAR).
In June 2010, Blue Knob Ski Patrol became the first ski patrol in the United States to become an affiliate member of the Mountain Rescue Association. Currently, several individuals in the Patrol are training to have Blue Knob Ski Patrol certified as a full MRA team.
Early ski operations were challenging with the base at the summit and it's associated weather along with the need to transport injured skiers up the mountain. First Aid Care and Training expanded with the advent of the US Dept of Transportation nationwide EMT system and the improved National Ski Patrol (NSP) Winter Emergency Care (WEC) and Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) programs. Training has since expanded and patrol members are also National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) Technicians
The use of hand held mobile radios for communications and snowmobiles for uphill transport were major changes that improved the Ski Patrol Operations. The Patrol averaged 50-60 patrollers over the years with an active Young Adult Patroller (YAP) program and produced many Seniors, four Certified (two Pros and two Volunteers), along with six Nationals and a NSP National Treasurer who received the NSP Minnie Dole Award.
The Professional Patrol was expanded in the late 90's and 00's along with additional training and the acquisition of national credentials obtained by Professional Patrollers in the areas of Certified Status, Search and Rescue and Mountain Rescue Associations (NASAR).
In June 2010, Blue Knob Ski Patrol became the first ski patrol in the United States to become an affiliate member of the Mountain Rescue Association. Currently, several individuals in the Patrol are training to have Blue Knob Ski Patrol certified as a full MRA team.
