The heroes of the slopes who put their lives on the line for us
WHEN we go on a ski holiday we mostly worry about what the snow conditions and apres will be like.
But the death this week of a young ski patroller in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana has really reminded me of how much work goes into preparing slopes for us to ski on and also, of the efforts made to keep us safe in the mountains.
The ski patroller who lost his life in Crans Montana was reportedly attending to an injured skier when a huge avalanche was triggered. The father of two young children paid the ultimate price for doing a job he loved and most sadly, for helping others. The work that ski patrols do is mostly unseen by holidaymakers but I’ve been privileged to go behind the scenes with patrollers in Verbier and Engelberg in Switzerland, and Les Deux Alpes in France.
They’re the kind of people I admire hugely – strong mentally and physically, talented skiers, experienced and wise.
They’re usually part of a tightknit team and form close friendships within that team.
While the rest of us are still sleeping off last night’s fondue and wine, they’re up the mountain before dawn, checking slopes for anything that might present a danger to skiers.
Following heavy snowfall, they set off controlled avalanches so that we can ski safely.
This is the most dangerous part of the job for patrollers who are qualified to work with dynamite.
I remember standing in the Mont Gelé cable car in Verbier at 7am, watching in awe as the head of security removed a window and
lobbed dynamite directly onto the slopes below.
Then he hiked up a rocky peak in white-out and howling winds to throw more dynamite.
In the Portes du Soleil in France, I’ve met the rarest of creatures, a female Irish ski patroller. Mullingar woman Aisling Donnelan spoke to me about the challenges and joys of working as a patroller which I’ll be writing about in the Irish Daily Mail at a later date.
If, like me, you appreciate the work done by ski patrols, check out a new short documentary by Jay Haysey and Bethany Mercer from action sports video production company Global Shots.
‘Beyond The Pistes’ follows patrollers from the French resort of La Clusaz and as well as featuring great footage, will give you an insight into how patrollers work and what motivates them to do a job that puts their own safety at risk.
‘The mountain is my life’ says one patroller. ‘It’s a privilege to ski every day, it’s a good office’ says his colleague.
For them, skiing the mountain alone early each morning is a magical experience.
‘You must have passion’ says a patroller who’s done the job for 33 years. ‘You must love snow, the cold and nature’.
They often work in harsh conditions and difficult terrain.
Ski patrollers are fuelled by adrenaline and need to feel a measure of fear to protect their safety.
They know the dangers but still choose the freedom and happiness that their job brings. For that alone, they have my greatest respect.
Watch ‘Beyond The Piste’ on vimeo. globalshots.co.uk