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Over the Snow Vehicles Survey Summary

A detailed survey on the usage of over-the-snow vehicles by ski patrols, including insights on operations, training, concerns, and best practices. Explore the data and recommendations for safe and efficient use in snowy environments.

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Over the Snow Vehicles Survey Summary

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  1. Over the Snow Vehicles Chuck Martschinke National Ski Patrol Central Division

  2. Patrol Survey • Do you use OSV • Sent via email to all patrols • Approximately 125 • 32 responses • Two areas, reported twice • One reported on requirements of NY state

  3. Do you use? • 14 use snowmobiles • 5 use some form of 4x • 7 use a combination of both • 6 use none (2 Nordic parks) • Area management does not allow them • Park rangers bring them if needed

  4. What for? • Patient movement pulling loaded toboggans • Up hill 13 • Due to patrol room location • Down hill 12 • Usually due to limited personnel (weekdays) • Horizontal 24 • 2 said NO guests/patients on OSV • 4 said minor injuries on OSV

  5. What for? • Movement of personnel and equipment • Added resources at an incident • Specialized equipment to an incident • Toboggans • To their ready locations • Up hill during training and evaluating • Escort of other grooming and snow making equipment • Opening and closing functions

  6. Alternate methods • 7 use carriers to up load toboggans on chairs

  7. Toboggan Carriers

  8. Not so good alternate methods • Laps • Chairs

  9. Training • 19 have training • Mostly home grown and done internally • One stated that the maintenance dept did the training • Only 3 mentioned any record keeping • Concerns with NSAA material on rider position (kneeling and standing)

  10. Operation • Operators • 8 indicated they have dedicated operators • 5 said area employees only • Who decided they could be: • 5 personal choice • 7 area management • 1 patrol director • 2 hill leader or crew chief

  11. Operations • Dedicated Routes • 15 indicated they had routes to travel or avoid • 7 decided by area management • 8 decide by area management and patrol • 1 decide by habit • One hill to go up and one to go down • One reported operation zones vs. routes

  12. Operations • Warning equipment • a mix of: lights, flashers, strobes, beepers/horns, and flags were reported • Flags are the most prevalent • 3 whistles - operator • 9 reported no devices

  13. Comments • Routes should consider • Visibility • Slope (difficulty) • General terrain • Question the general risk vs. reward • NY state requires full employees only • Could use better training and refreshing • Use greatly limited when area open

  14. Comments • Not very reliable • When moving un-loaded toboggans • Toboggan handles folded back • Trains of toboggans no more than two toboggans long by two toboggans wide

  15. Best Practices – a start • A collaborative policy • Include all departments operating OSV • Understanding of department needs • Establish a training and refreshing program • With a record keeping component • Who can operate

  16. Best Practices – a start • What they should and should not be used for • When they should and should be operated • Where they should and should not be operated • What speed they should be operated at • Warning devices • Explore other methods to limit their need

  17. Thank You Have a safe and profitable season

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