A Brief History of the Patrol

Back in 1982 a group of mostly Forest Service employees and others saw a need for a ski patrol within the Eldorado National Forest (ENF).  This need stemmed from the emerging growth and use of the public lands in the winter.  At first, the newly formed Patrol was a member of the National Ski Patrol (NSP) and was designated as a "Nordic" patrol as the NSP only had alpine resort or cross-country ski patroller designations.  The newly formed patrol would be called the El Dorado Nordic Ski Patrol (EDNSP).

This patrol would perform Search And Rescue (SAR) operations within the Eldorado National Forest and patrolled popular backcountry ski and snowshoe areas.  Later they realized a need for a winter trail system and created and still maintains to this day trails in the Crystal Basin and Carson Pass areas.  They were also instrumental in repairing, maintaining, and opening Robb's Hut and the Van Vleck bunkhouse to the public.  The Patrol continued the Echo-To-Kirkwood race for many years after Kirkwood Cross-Country center stopped managing the race.  The race started at the Echo Sno-Park southside and ended at the Kirkwood Cross-Country center at about 13 miles.  It was a back-country race which required a lot of support from the patrol to ensure everyone got out safely.

As members of the NSP they were required to take the NSP training.  The EDNSP realized the training from the NSP at that time did not fulfill their needs, so the Patrol incorporated and began in-house training which included Winter Back-Country Skills, Avalanche Awareness, Navigation, Mountain Travel, and more. Some of which are still open to the public. Medical was through El Dorado Country and was an Urban First Responder as a minimum.

Today the El Dorado Nordic Ski Patrol is known as the Eldorado Back-Country Ski Patrol (EBSP).   Our mission is one of public safety and education.  The Patrol still maintains trails and lite maintenance on the hut and bunkhouse.  Medical training has evolved into wilderness medicine along with the aforementioned training.

The Patrol is now made up of many types of patrollers and supporting members who utilize either skis, snowshoes, or snowboard.   With more than 40 years of volunteering in the ENF the Patrol is the longest running volunteer group in the ENF.

Below are the founding members in 1982: David Bakke, Carol Bonser, Dave Buel, Roger Chappell, Tom Eckhardt, Karen Kessler, Nancy O'Brien, Ron Parker, Mike Peart, Rich Platt, Mark Stanley, Robin Stanley, Rudy Stauffer, and John Van Sant.

The Ski Patrol in 1984: