Colleen's (and occasionally, Joe's) Blog

Colleen and I moved to the Tri Cites Wa area 5 years ago from Southern California. In California we had season passes for 3 resorts within 6 hours of our home. Naturally, I had concerns about the availability of skiing locations when we relocated to the Tri Cities of Washington state. To my delight, Tri Cities Washington is a skier's dream, as close by are White Pass Ski Resort (2 hours), Bluewood Ski Resort (1.5 hours), and Mt Hood Ski Resort (3 hours, skiing almost year round). And more!

White Pass Ski Resort
I'm on the National Ski Patrol and patrol at White Pass. In fact, I'm the treasurer of the White Pass Ski Patrol. White Pass is my choice of ski resorts as powder and tree skiing are the 'order-of-the-day.' White Pass regularly is inundated with fresh snow. As a member of the ski patrol we are responsible in assisting the resort's safety needs. We patrol the area prior to the general public's attendance to add barriers and other safety precautions. There is nothing sweeter to a skier than fresh powder on a powder day. Imagine the experience atop a ski resort before the general public's entrance on a fresh powder day:

White Pass Ski Patrol Try Outs
Have you ever considered joining a ski patrol? We are having try outs January 17, 2009 at White Pass. Your ability must be acceptable, however, not perfect. The patrol will take a high intermediate skier and work with them, and with a year of training a person will have the skills necessary to take a loaded toboggan down any slope on the mountain. Also, the medical training attained is similar to an EMT. Last but not least, the relationships within the ski patrol are great, and helping those that need assistance on the mountain is very rewarding. Go ahead, give it a shot.