National Ski Patrol Becomes Title Sponsor Of National Avalanche School

National Ski Patrol (NSP) announced it will be the new title sponsor of the National Avalanche School (NAS), reinforcing its long-standing commitment to professional avalanche education. This sponsorship will give ski patrollers and other snow professionals access to the highest level of avalanche training and resources available, directly supporting NSP’s mission to reduce avalanche-related incidents, injuries, and fatalities across the industry.

The National Avalanche School provides comprehensive, professional-level avalanche training tailored for ski area operations. Its curriculum is taught by leading experts in snow science and is recognized for its rigorous standards. Instructors follow American Avalanche Association (A3) guidelines and emphasize ski area management, while also delivering essential skills for anyone involved in avalanche mitigation and hazard reduction. Graduates earn the Pro 1-NAS designation, which exceeds A3’s basic Pro 1 requirements, providing top-tier avalanche safety training.

“Our dedication to the safety of everyone on the mountain is unwavering, and our new role as title sponsor of the National Avalanche School is a testament to that focus,” said Stephanie Cox, CEO of National Ski Patrol and board member for the National Avalanche Foundation. “This support reflects our commitment to professional excellence and to a safer environment for all who live, work, and ski in avalanche terrain.”

This new title sponsorship builds on a strong history of collaboration. NSP is a founding partner of the National Avalanche Foundation (NAF), which funds the school, alongside the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) and the U.S. Forest Service. NSP also has a seat on the NAF Board of Directors. This industry-wide partnership helps all ski areas and the public benefit from a shared knowledge base and consistent best practices.

This year, nine NSP patrollers have been awarded scholarships to attend the National Avalanche School, thanks to the support of NSP partners Mammut and North American Rescue Dogs (NARD). They begin their training on Oct. 12-16 in South Jordan, Utah. These scholarships give dedicated patrollers the opportunity to strengthen their avalanche knowledge and bring life-saving expertise back to their teams and communities.

“The blend of NSP’s title sponsorship, board leadership, and patroller scholarships helps NSP members and the entire skiing community benefit from the avalanche industry’s premier avalanche education and training,” said Josh Olsen, Avalanche Program Manager for the National Ski Patrol. “This commitment helps our patrollers be better prepared to handle avalanche hazards, and that’s good news for all of us.”