How to Join

Working on the patrol is rewarding, fun and fulfilling; however, it is also a major commitment. Your first step toward joining the patrol is to learn as much as you can about the patrol. These pages are a start. You can also talk to a patroller at Bear Valley. We would be happy to answer your questions and to discuss the patrol with you.

Your journey starts with Candidate Selection. To join the patrol you don’t have to be the best skier on the mountain, but you do need to be a strong, proficient skier. You need to be able to ski any part of the mountain in any snow condition to get to an injured customer. Evacuating someone on a toboggan takes good edge control as you sideslip and snowplow your way to the first aid room. We want to see you succeed, so we start by evaluating your abilities at Candidate Selection. Feel free to stop by the patrol shack at the top of Bear Lift and ski a few runs with a patroller if you would like some pointers to prepare for selection. You can find more information on our Candidate Selection page.