National Ski Patrol members gather for training at Lutsen

National Ski Patrol members, the people who specialize in emergency response at ski hills, gathered in Lutsen in mid-October for important refresher training. Lutsen Mountains was filled with red-jacketed responders practicing their skills.

The refresher training is important, but it is also a time for emergency responders who have worked and trained together for decades to reconnect. At this year’s event, two members of the ski patrol were honored. Patrol member Warren Wagness received recognition for 50 years of volunteering for the National Ski Patrol. (Click the slideshow to see Wagness with his award).

Also recognized was Jim Ruzicka, a former Lutsen Mountains Ski Patrol Representative.

Along with the photo of this year’s training attendees, Patrol Representative Mel Rajkowski shared photos of chairlift rescue training in 2017. Rajkowski explains that along with basic emergency training, such as CPR renewals, a different aspect of rescue is practiced each year.

Rajkowski spoke with WTIP’s Rhonda Silence about the ski patrol and the required training in this interview.