Flashback: How to become a Ski Patroller in France
In this special ‘Flashback’ episode, Iain speaks with Tom Greenall, one of the few British members of the ski patrol in France.
Tom explains the long journey he had to go through to qualify as a ‘pisteur’ (ski patroller in France), starting off with racing against 11-year-olds (having had some training from Glenn Plake!) to learning how to ski with a blood wagon in his hands.
It’s a fascinating story that’s very rarely covered, so sit back and listen, as Tom Greenall tells us how to become a ski patroller in France.
SHOW NOTES
- Tom Greenall is founder of Idris Skis
- He ran a cat skiing operation in Japan for three years
- The first qualification required to become a ski patroller is a Fleche Vermillion
- Glen Plake has been coming to Chamonix since 1987
- Tom passed the Test Technique on his fourth attempt at Puy St Vincent
- ‘Premiere Secours Equipe Niveau 1 & 2’ is the rescue industry first aid course
- Tom’s Pisteur Course cost €3000 and took place in Les Orres
- The course included knowledge of middle mountain environment; weather and snow awareness; Rules and Regulations; taking the PSE2 first aid to the ski patrol environment; sled (‘bloodwagon’ practice); avalanche practice
- The course concluded with exams on rescue sleds; an avalanche beeper search; and first aid cases
- Listen to our interview with the producers of ‘Ski A&E’ in Val Thorens in Episode 43
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