Hi Mikie, Well you do not have to be an expert Skier or Snowboarder or have prior medical experience, but it doesn’t hurt. As for employment, most Ski Patrols are actually volunteer, although there are some ski patrols that pay, but many are volunteer. The Patrol I am joining is a Volunteer Ski Patrol, so when I am not teaching at the mountain (I am a professional ski instructor), then I am going to patrol. As for requirements for joining a Ski Patrol, skill wise in order to patrol on the mountain, you have to be fairly proficient in skiing or snowboarding, in other words you don’t have to be an expert, but able to get around the mountain on skis or a snowboard. And experience wise anybody can apply to join the Ski Patrol, whether you are an MD, PA, RN, Paramedic, EMT or have no experience what so ever, but all patrollers must take and pass an OEC course. The OEC course is kind of like an EMT-B course with emphasis on outdoors medicine. And for folks that already have education or experience above the OEC course, you can take a “Challenge” which is what I am doing, which involves going to several Ski Patrol specific classes, but not required to go to the OEC EMT type classes and then taking the written and practical tests to prove you already know the skills.