The Smugglers’ Notch Ski Patrol received the National Ski Patrol’s Most Outstanding Alpine Patrol award on a snowy afternoon at the Smugglers’ Notch Base Lodge. The award, given annually, accounts for a long list of honors. Smugglers’ patrol team graciously accepted the award after far exceeding the necessary criteria.
The National Outstanding Alpine Patrol award is presented to a patrol that demonstrates excellence in performance, leadership at the regional, divisional, and national levels. Individual accomplishments by the Smugglers’ Patrol weighed heavy into the patrol being awarded this annual prestigious award. The list of accomplishments is long and stood above and beyond the nearest 2nd place candidate patrol. -John Kane, Director, National Ski Patrol, Eastern Division
Presenting the award was John Kane, director of the National Ski Patrol Eastern Division. Kane, along with regional director, Rena Perkins, cited Smugglers’ as providing the vast majority of support for region events despite being the third smallest patrol in the region. Support comes in the form of instructors, trainers/evaluators, and instructor trainers, in both outdoor emergency care and outdoor emergency transport programs. Smugglers’ patrol team also includes the regional director, treasurer, national historian, regional advisor, as well as 14 emergency care and transport instructors and one avalanche instructor. Furthermore, Smugglers’ is the only patrol to see two of its team inducted to the National Ski Patrol Hall of Fame.
Other factors in determining the most outstanding patrol are accomplishments the team has received over its fifty-plus years of National Ski Patrol membership. These accomplishments span from individual award recognition to lives directly saved by the patrol. The organization also recognizes Smugglers’ volunteer patrol team for their dedication and direct involvement in supporting their peers to become Most Outstanding Small Alpine Patrol.
Smugglers’ continues to uphold its decades-long commitment to family offerings. The Resort’s ski and ride school hold a long-standing history as an industry-wide leader in children’s programming, helping to secure 15 years designation as number one family resort in eastern North America. Now celebrating its 62nd year in operation, Smugglers’ offers programs and activities for all ages throughout four seasons around their mountainside Resort village. Hosting a wide range of activities including skiing and snowboarding, educational activities, pools and waterslides, mountain biking, zip lining, and more, the independently-owned Resort appeals to local and vacation markets alike.
Pictured from left to right: Rena Perkins, Regional Director; Bill Stritzler, Smugglers' Owner and Managing Director; John Kane, NSP Eastern Division Director; Dave Sills, Patrol Director (retired); Eli Moore, Patrol Director