Junior Program

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The Junior Patrol program at Apex Mountain offers persons aged 13-17 the opportunity to assist the CSP and learn about patrolling. They assist in crowd control, sweeping the mountain at the beginning and end of each day, and general patrol duties. They do not perform any first aid.

The Junior Patrol program is a great asset to the Apex Volunteer Patrol and Apex Mountain Resort who is one of the few resorts that offer a Junior Program.

The Junior Patrollers (aka Juniors, JP) help with the duties of the day and a way to cultivate future CSP Patrollers. Wearing vests with a logo on the front and back clearly identify them as a member of the Junior Patrol and CSP team.

Junior Patrollers need to be sponsored and mentored by a veteran CSP Apex Zone patroller (no rookies) and the sponsor is responsible for the Junior on the mountain. Juniors are required to be 13 years of age by Dec 1st of the ski season and up to 17 years of age on Sept 1st of the ski season and must complete 6 full shifts throughout the season.

In their first year, rookie Junior Patrollers are required to purchase their pass before the season starts; it is not complimentary the first year. Returning (2nd year and up) Juniors that have completed the requirement for the previous year are provided with a season pass at no cost by Apex Mountain Resort. Failure to complete the 6 shifts or any infractions of the guidelines will lead to dismissal. Acceptance into the Junior Patrol program is at the discretion of the CSP Apex Zone and Apex Mountain Resort.

Junior Patrollers that have completed 3 years, are 16 years of age and older and, at the discretion of CSP Apex Zone and Apex Mountain Resort, can apply to join as a full member of CSP Apex Zone. Note that this is generally reserved for outstanding Junior Patrollers showing ability, eagerness and maturity to handle the duties and stresses of being a CSP Patroller.


Guidelines for the Junior Patrol


Things Juniors Do:

  • Help with opening sweep.

  • Carry a pea-less whistle to signal others. Whistles with a pea or other object inside will freeze and are are unusable.

  • Locating reported incidents (accidents, lost patrons, etc.).

  • Scene control, safety and housekeeping.

  • Assist at the scene within these guidelines.

  • Clearing route for toboggans. When a patient is being transported to the infirmary, JP provide crowd control to ensure clear passage.

  • Ski with your sponsor or other patrollers.

  • Assist in the infirmary.

  • Assist in reloading the toboggans.

  • Behave in an appropriate manner.

  • Keep your uniform neat and clean.

  • Remove all food and liquids from your vest at the end of the day.

  • Talk appropriately on the 2 way radio.

  • Learn the mountain map and run names.

  • Learn the sweep sheets.

  • Help with closing sweep as requested.


Things Juniors Don't Do:

  • Perform any first aid.

  • Relay personal information gathered on the mountain from accidents or patients to the public or friends by any means including social media.

  • Transport equipment, toboggans, bamboo, ropes, skis, backboards, etc.

  • Help in avalanche control of any sort.

  • Do not sweep in the morning if risk of avalanche has been determined.

  • Spend most of your day on the couch of the patrol cabin or in the village.

  • Ski in large groups of Juniors. Spread out to cover the mountain.

  • Behave inappropriately, use foul language or engage in horseplay.

  • Catch air and do tricks on the mountain or the terrain park while in uniform.

  • Talk inappropriately while using the 2 way radios.

  • Leave patrol radios or vests unattended in a public area.

  • Convey negative comments about CSP Apex Zone or Apex Mountain Resort to others. Please take any concerns you have to the Junior Patrol Leader or shift leader.

  • No smoking tobacco or marijuana, vaping, drinking of alcohol or the use of illegal drugs. This includes at the CSP cabin or on the mountain, on or off shift.


Snapshot of Junior Patrol Day.

  • Arrive at the mountain with enough time to gear up and be at the infirmary for 08:00.

  • Listen to the morning briefing to learn about special considerations, events, closed runs etc.

  • Pair up with you sponsor or another patrol and get your assigned sweep.

  • Load the quad with your partner(s) at ~08:30 and complete your opening sweep.

  • Ski with your sponsor or other patrol during the day, be visible on the mountain

  • Help out during the day.

  • While your sponsor is fulfilling their bump shift, you can ski on your own or with another patroller.

  • If you encounter a guest needing assistance and you are not with your sponsor, you will then call the ‘bump shack’ and report what you’ve found and give your location.

  • Be at the top of the mountain for 15:00 as the closing sweep will be starting.

  • Complete your sweep with your sponsor or other patroller.

  • Gather at the patrol cabin for a debrief of the days events.

  • Go home happy.