A Word From... >> Holiday Valley Ski Patrol

 

Holiday Valley Resort, in Ellicottville, N.Y., was named the top ski patrol in the nation in 2002 by the National Ski Patrol from among 600 across the United States. Ski Patrollers patrollers provide first aid assistance to ski resort guests. Holiday Valley’s patrollers average 15 years of ski patrol service and is composed primarily of volunteers. The skill level among the Holiday Valley patrollers is so high that a quarter of their patrollers are actually qualified to train and evaluate other patrollers. Every year, Holiday Valley hosts first aid, skiing, and toboggan-handling training events for patrollers from other resorts. Here’s what Holiday Valley’s Patrol Director Bill Marx has to say about wearing helmets:

Bill Marx (center)

"I think helmets provide significant protection when skiing or riding as they can reduce the severity or discomfort from some types of falls. But skiing in control is the most important aspect of skiing safety. It's a good idea to get kids into the habit of wearing a helmet and that way they'll think of it as part of their standard equipment. About half of our patrol wears helmets now for both warmth and safety, and that number is growing. I think having the patrol in helmets sets a good example for the public."