You are an important part of a dynamic membership that has grown, beginning in 1938, to more than 28,500 strong and that is still growing. In part, NSP's healthy growth has come from the efforts of members, such as you, who continue to spread the good word about NSP and the many benefits you receive.

What follows is a list of benefits provided to all members of the National Ski Patrol. Additional benefits may come through programs delivered at local NSP levels.

Ski Patrol Magazine
Published three times a year, plus an OEC refresher study guide, this is the definitive publication about what is happening in the world of ski patrolling.

Education Programs
NSP offers a wide range of education programs designed to improve your patrolling skills and standing. Among the many course offerings by NSP are: Outdoor Emergency Care, alpine skiing improvement and snowboarding, nordic patrolling, toboggan handling, mountain travel and rescue, avalanche, and instructor development. NSP course information can also be found in the NSP Winter Catalog.

Division clinics, courses, and meetings are offered throughout the country covering these topics. These are invaluable opportunities to improve your stature as a ski patroller.

Powderfall, NSP's premier national education event held each spring, is an education event that every ski patroller should experience at least once in his or her career.

Education Materials
NSP makes available a wide range of manuals, videos, and other materials to support NSP education programs. These materials are made available at the lowest possible cost to the member and can be found in the NSP Winter Catalog. The catalog also contains, at member prices, a wide variety of other publications concerning ski patrolling. NSP also maintains a lending library of videos and other materials to help managers and trainers.

Credentials
NSP develops and maintains patrolling credential programs. This allows patrollers to train and be evaluated in patrolling competencies, resulting in credentials in a variety of areas such as Outdoor Emergency Care, instructors in all education disciplines, Senior Patroller, and Certified Patroller. This is a way to assure your area manager and the public that you are a knowledgeable and capable professional.

Direct Return on Investment
The NSP Winter Catalog, published annually, offers accessories that show your pride in the association. The catalog also features dramatically reduced prices on a number of hard-to-find items that make ski patrolling easier.

Promotional Programs
Working with corporate sponsors and other companies, the office staff puts together exclusive offers such as special pricing on catalog items and special direct mail or magazine offers through NSP's Official Supplier program. In addition, ski manufacturer promotional sales are often available through ski retailers and manufacturers' representatives for members of NSP. Each of these programs can be worth many times your annual NSP dues.

Further, NSP Official Suppliers support your association by either promoting NSP to area management and the public, or by making a contribution to NSP's endowment fund. In this way, suppliers help keep potential dues increases in check by generating non-dues revenue.

Each program is developed as a way to say "thank you" for your investment in time and money as a member of NSP.

Member Information and Services Team (MIST)
MIST members are available to NSP members via phone or fax to answer questions about NSP events, courses, membership status, catalog orders, NSP policies and procedures, and a host of other topics. Over 200 members use this service each day. Their number can be found in Ski Patrol Magazine.

International
NSP represents you in the international arena at Federation International des Patrouilles de Ski (FIPS) meetings. International events in which NSP participates are available to the membership.

Promotion of Ski Patrolling
NSP cooperates with supporting sponsors to promote ski patrolling to the public. We also establish links with other skiing organizations to strengthen the industry as a whole. These include the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA), National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), National Ski and Snowboard Retailers Association (NSSRA) and with Ski Industries America (SIA). NSP promotes ski patrolling to ski area management at trade shows and conventions; we have also formed a working relationship with NSAA to address issues common to both ski patrols and ski areas.

Each NSP staff member has made a personal commitment to maintain the highest standards in service and quality. In our products...in our operations...in our contact with you, we are committed to upholding the service and quality that this important profession demands, and that you deserve. We are dedicated to helping you stay on top in the ski patrolling discipline.

Your board of directors continually looks for ways to improve NSP programs, as well as daily performance, i.e., the promptness with which we respond to your phone calls and letters, the ease with which you are able to gain access to our programs, and the ways we can communicate our appreciation to you.