New Hampshire — Extremely cool interview with Waterville Valley’s president and general manager Tim Smith and Emma Franz who earned her ski patroller white cross at just 17 after coming up through Waterville Valley’s YAP (Young Adult Patroller) program.
The YAP program offers hands-on opportunity for skiers and snowboarders age 15-18 who are interested in a career as a ski patroller. Participants like Emma get on-the-job training alongside experienced professionals.
For Emma, the program was more than just an introduction to ski patrol. Over two years, she built real-world medical skills, improved her confidence in emergency situations and gained a deeper understanding of how a ski resort operates day-to-day. The training includes everything from trail checks and hazard mitigation to advanced rescue techniques like toboggan handling, while also emphasizing teamwork and decision-making under pressure.
Just as important, she says, is the sense of community. The ski patrol operates like a tight-knit family, providing mentorship, support and a place for young athletes to find purpose on the mountain. That environment helped shape her goals moving forward, with Emma now considering a future in the medical field and encouraging other young skiers to explore the program as a way to gain experience and direction early.
Absolutely this program up at Waterville and stoked for Emma. If you are interested in signing up for YAP at Waterville, find more information here.
About Waterville Valley Resort Young Adult Patrollers (YAP) Program:
The Young Adult Patrollers (YAP) Program is a hands-on opportunity for strong skiers and snowboarders ages 15–18 who are interested in learning what it takes to become a ski patroller! This program at Waterville Valley Resort provides real-world, on-the-job training alongside experienced professionals.
For more information & registration, please contact Lee at bgm125@gmail.com.
BASIC OVERVIEW AND PROGRAM GOALS
The goals of the Young Adult Patrollers are to:
- Develop strong mountain safety awareness and responsibility
- Introduce participants to the fundamentals of ski patrol operations
- Build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills
- Improve advanced skiing or snowboarding abilities in a professional setting
- Provide early exposure to potential career or volunteer pathways in ski patrol and mountain operations
Participants gain experience marking on-mountain hazards with ropes and signage, assisting with guest services, supporting basic first aid calls, and learning proper toboggan handling for transporting injured guests.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
The 2025/26 program begins December 13, with enrollment open through February 7, and continues until the mountain closes for the season. Primary training takes place on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with a minimum commitment of three days per month.
