PERISHER’S assistant ski patrol director, Felicity Coates, fell in love with the mountains the first time she strapped on skis and for her, becoming a ski patroller was a no-brainer.

The professional ski patrol in Perisher Valley began in 1964, when Grant Turnbull was appointed as the first professional patroller and has evolved into what it is today.

Felicity said from sunup to sundown, being an assistant ski patrol director is a thrilling and challenging role that’s all about keeping all guests, including skiers and snowboarders, safe on the mountain, around the village and surrounds.

“I’m talking early mornings to last chair lift; this job is a labour of love and not without its physical demands in every type of weather situation you could imagine,” Felicity said.

“My day-to-day involves assisting our ski patrol director, Steven Wynn, in overseeing the entire patrol operation.

“At Perisher we have 60 professional ski patrollers made up of a diverse mix of patrollers from Australia and overseas, over two large patrol zones, divided as Perisher and Blue Cow, and a total of nine individual patrol areas.

“From creating rosters, managing equipment, collaborating with other departments, assisting with incident investigation and reporting and supporting our patrollers on and off the mountain, 31 years of dedication to ski patrolling has been an incredible journey.”

From volunteering in 1994 to becoming a professional employed patroller in 2009, Felicity has continued reaching milestones like obtaining National Ski Patrol accreditation, ski patrol supervisor in 2019 and becoming assistant director in 2022.

Felicity said it has been an honour, especially as the first female to have performed in both roles as supervisor and assistant director.

“Breaking ground in these positions has been a privilege, and I’m proud to inspire others,” Felicity said.

“It’s great to be in a position where I can encourage both men and women to pursue their passions in ski patrolling and leadership.

“Some of our longer standing patrollers have taken ski patrolling on as a career, chasing winters here and overseas, others join our patrol for a few years before moving on to professional occupations or continue searching out jobs in the health sector.

“I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive in this industry, and I’m humbled to play a big role in helping others achieve their goals. Let’s work together to build a community that’s inclusive, supportive, and empowering for all.”

Ski patrollers are important for ski resorts as they are the first line of response in case of an emergency, providing critical care and rescue services when it matters most.

Vail Resorts’ support and partnership with RTO, has resulted in a ski patrol team highly trained in advanced first aid in the workplace and the alpine environment. The patrol also work in seamlessly with NSW Ambulance and the Perisher Medical Centre.

Felicity said ski patrol is the heart of the mountain and the mountain community, ensuring everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.

“We’re also the eyes and ears of the terrain from the gentle Green trails to the more advanced areas,” Felicity said.

“Always doing our best to identify potential hazards and working to prevent accidents before they happen.

“Plus, we’re passionate about helping others and making a difference in our community – it’s a privilege to be part of the ski patrolling family and play a role in making every day on the mountain an unforgettable one.

“And hopefully we have helped improve the quality of our guests’ experiences.”

This season Perisher ski patrollers are emphasising safety on the mountain with their “Know Your Zone” initiative.

Encouraging skiers and snowboarders to be aware of their surroundings and situational awareness understanding of the environment and its elements and to take responsibility for avoiding collisions.

The basic idea is to give others a five-metre radius on all sides – it’s a simple but effective way to reduce the risk of accidents and make the mountain a safer, more enjoyable place for everyone.

Felicity said there’s something special about knowing she gets to make a difference in someone’s day, whether it’s helping them off the mountain after a tumble or just offering a smile and some reassurance.

“What really gets me is the satisfaction of turning someone’s worst day into something slightly better,” Felicity said.

“Seeing the smiles on people’s faces when I’m assisting them, or wiping away a few tears, whether it’s a minor scrape or a major rescue, is the best reward.

“Plus, being a ski patroller lets me combine my passion for the outdoors with my desire to make a positive impact – it’s a dream job, really.

“If you’re keen on joining our team, our door is always open for capable/fit new enthusiastic ski patrollers.

“Come and give it a go – we’d love to have you on board, simply ask to talk to one of our supervisors or any patroller for that matter and they should be able to assist with heading you in the right direction.”