Well,
Let's see-first of all, you have to distinguish between Professional Patrols and NSP Patrols (which have Volunteers and Pro's). Many big western resorts have completely ditched their NSP affiliation as all the certifications, standards, and of course, dues aren't really important to the resort itself. The Professional Ski Patroller Association has it's own set of standards and certifications.
Now, for NSP Patrollers (btw, almost all Eastern Ski areas are NSP):
1. Alpine Patroller: To reach this You take a 130 hour OEC (first aid/ outdoor care) course and pass a nationally designed written test and a locally designed practical test, plus you spend one year as a candidate on an actual patrol.
Skiing skills will vary wildly at this level. Each individual patrol sets up the ski standards for it's respective resort. Some patrollers never really get signed off on Toboggan skills....some patrols only care about toboggan skills, others care a great deal about general ski ability and expert sled handling skills. The Patrol I ski for would be the latter, to get out of the Candidacy stage you must demonstrate good general skiing skills and an ability to safely and efficiently handle a sled on MOST of the mountain.
2. Senior Patroller: This has three parts-there is another 120 hour course and test on further First Aid skills, with a real Eye to leadership role development in stressful emergency situations. There is also a ski and Toboggan test. Again, the skills required for this are very region specific-as each region (mine is Western, MA) develops it's own test and uses the terrain available in it's region. Our region used to be pretty scattershot-when the test was At Berkshire East, the skill required to pass were high (as we have ample glades, moguls and enough steeps to make the test legit). However, when the test was at Jiminy Peak, or Wachusett, the lack of challenging terrain cheapened the testing experience.
As of three years ago, the region stipulaed that all skills and sled running must involve moguls and glades, so the Senior test has gotten much harder and the pass rate has significantly diminished. Basically, you have to ski all terrain reasonably well-the standard being general competency and balance. To have to perform equipment carries in moguls. Side slips, falling leafs, wedges in moguls and trees. Free skiing moguls, trees and crud. Free running the toboggan in all conditions. And finally, running a loaded sled, both in the handles and on the rope in moguls, etc.
Suffice it to say, the guys who get their Senior in the Northern VT division are probably pretty bad ass skiers. I would say that after my senior exam and training I would be comfortable running a loaded toboggan down any trail in the east...with a few exceptions and in a few exceptional conditions--let's say running Paradise at MRG on a heavy breakable crust day would exceed my comfort-level...however, for learning how to handle those situations there is:
3. CERTIFIED Patroller (which undoubtedly is what your friend is referring to). The Certified exam has two parts-a vigor rigorous, way off piste rescue and resuscitation scenario test and an even more rigorous ski and toboggan test. We have two National certified patrollers at B'East, they are two of the best patrollers/ skiers in the region. My patrol director (who is certified and spent time as a trainer and examiner in the certified program) said it took him 3 years and about $3,000 in travel, clinics and training to pass. They Held his exam at Mad River Glen-on a frozen, breakable crust day. He said in a field of about 20 very qualified strong skiers and patrollers 4 passed.
A certified patroller is about as competent as they come on skis in any situation.
If your friend passed his certified and Has his National Number, he should be proud. It is a real achievement. I passed my senior a year ago...it was no joke, I worked hard and was proud to pass.
oh, At each lvl there are examiners and trainers.
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