The Unsung Heroes of the Mountain: Inside the National Ski Patrol with Stephanie Cox

Ski patrollers are there before the lifts spin and long after they stop — often invisible on the best days and indispensable on the hardest ones.In this episode, Craig sits down with Stephanie Cox, CEO of the National Ski Patrol, to pull back the curtain on what ski patrol really does.They discuss:What it takes to become a ski patroller — from medical training to high-stakes toboggan rescuesThe difference between volunteer and paid patrol modelsWhy most patrollers stay involved for 20+ yearsHow NSP supports mental health and resilience after traumatic incidentsThe recent headlines around ski patrol labor disputes — and where NSP fits inEfforts to recruit the next generation of patrollersWhether you’ve never needed ski patrol — or you’ll never forget the day you did — this conversation will give you a new appreciation for the red jackets on your home mountain.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow skier and don’t forget to thank a ski patroller next time you’re on snow.