Welcome to the Ski Roundtop Ski Patrol  The Ski Roundtop Ski Patrol is a volunteer group of men and women who are committed to promoting skier and snowboarder safety and providing first-aid to our guests who are injured. Our members train throughout the year to provide quality rescue and emergency care to injured skiers and snowboarders. The Ski Roundtop Ski Patrol is a member patrol of the National Ski Patrol. Since 1938, the nonprofit National Ski Patrol has dedicated itself to - and has become the preeminent authority on - serving the public and outdoor recreation industry by providing education and credentialing to emergency care and safety services providers. The National Ski Patrol is a federally chartered, volunteer driven, nonprofit membership association managed by a staff of association professionals based in Lakewood, Colorado. Our patrollers come from all vocations and occupations and are united by a love of winter sports and the outdoors. We train intensively and socialize the same. Many new friendships have been forged and our patrol has become a second family for all of us. In 2000 we were named the National Outstanding Alpine Ski Patrol from all the ski patrols across the nation. Our members have held many regional and division offices and are recognized as leaders in teaching emergency care as well as skiing and toboggan handling. |
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Since Ski Roundtop first opened in 1964, the Ski Roundtop Patrol has served the mountains guests, mainly with volunteer members. From the early days of only a few volunteers and only one trail, we have grown to a patrol that currently numbers close to 100 volunteers and several paid members. Each year we conduct a patrol candidate training program which introduces all aspects of patrolling with the goal of having those candidates become members of our patrol and the National Ski Patrol. This training includes the Outdoor Emergency Care curriculum, American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR-AED training and our own skiing and toboggan handling program. In addition all of our patrollers are trained in lift evacuation techniques, snowmobile operation and helicopter medevac procedures. Our patrol membership is actively involved in programs offered by the National Ski Patrol by continuing education in the above tasks as well as additional training in instructional methods, avalanche training and mountain travel and rescue courses. We are proud to have a majority of our new candidates achieve the status of a Senior Patroller in less than 5 years and believe this is a testament to effectiveness of our training program and the high standards of which our award winning patrol as we were recognized as the 2000 National Outstanding Alpine Ski Patrol. Several of our patrollers, through dedication and hard work, have progressed onto the Certified Patroller program which is the top level of achievement in the National Ski Patrol. Whether in their 1st or 40th year of patrolling (yes, some of our patrollers have been around that long), our patrollers are truly a dedicated group of professionals who each dedicate over 200 hours a year as volunteers, but it doesn't stop there. While it is true that we train and work hard, we play hard too. Every year, subsets of our patrol travel and ski all over the world together. From day-trips to multi-week excursions, we enjoy the outdoors in every way imaginable, including but not limited to - bicycling, kayaking, scuba diving, hiking, golfing, climbing, motorcycling and our annual picnic. This is one exceptional group who consider the patrol as their second family - maybe you could be lucky enough to join us. Additionally, many of our patrollers have become Certified Alpine Special Olympics Skiing Coaches, volunteering even more of their free time to mentor and teach these exceptional athletes as one of our community service projects. Each fall, we have a weekend consignment sale of ski and athletic equipment and clothing at Mountainside Ski and Sports to raise money for our patrol programs. This has turned into a great fun-filled event for our patrol family in addition to a source of income. So if you ever thought about becoming a NSP Ski Patroller or just wanted to see what we do, don't hesitate to stop by and see us at Ski Roundtop Ski Patrol in the Maury Bobst building at the bottom of the Minuteman Slope. Odds are we'll be there and we'll be friendly! During the season, the light is always on and the coffee pot brewing. thanks to Chris Raup for writing much of this article |
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version 1-1-10 In the early 1960's Irv Naylor had a dream. He enjoyed the sport of skiing, and decided to open a ski area close to home. He learned that the highest point in York County, Roundtop Mountain was for sale and bought 384 acres for $30,000.00 in 1964. The bulldozers came in and Ski Roundtop was born. In the first years of operations, Ski Patrol services were provided by a number of patrollers from different Patrols. The Harrisburg Ski Club Patrol and AMP Ski Club Patrol merged to become the Ski Roundtop Patrol. The Patrol Leader from nearby Blair Mountain, Bob Beers, who was also the section chief at the time came in to help determine the first aid equipment and supplies that would be needed. He also helped set up the staffing and was the first Patrol Leader. Myron Scharko, who was one of the first employees at Ski Roundtop also assisted with the Roundtop Patrol. Patrollers also came from the Blair Mountain Patrol, and Maryland Ski Club Patrol. When Blair Mountain closed, their patrol became the Harrisburg Area Patrol with Gordon Bell as their Patrol Leader. Both The Ski Roundtop and Harrisburg Area Patrol worked together patrolling Ski Roundtop. This system was used until 1969 when Hans Geier, the general manager, decided he wanted the two patrols merged. GR Whitney became the Patrol Leader of the newly formed Ski Roundtop Ski Patrol. It was during these early years that Gordie Bell and Jim Staeck established the Monday night training program which is still a mainstay of the Roundtop Patrol. When Ski Roundtop opened in 1964 there was one slope and a rope tow. The 1965-66 season saw the area expand and the trail map from that season shows the trails listed as 1- Novice Trail, which is now Upper Recruit, 2- Intermediate Slope which is now Minuteman, 3- Expert Trail which is now Lafayette's Leap, and 4-Beginner Slope which is now the Half Pipe. The Intermediate Slope was serviced by a double chair lift and the Beginner Slope was serviced by the rope tow. An All-facilities Ticket was $4.00 on weekdays and $5.00 on weekends. Night skiing was $3.00 and a season pass would set you back $65.00. A full day rental package was $4.50. Triangle Ski Shops was the first on-site ski shop and Snow Making Inc of Red Oak Ridge in Carmel New York provided the first snow making. The gross sales that first year totaled $80,919.00. Bob Bernatos |
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