Ski patrols – both paid and volunteer – are essential for ensuring mountain safety in the ski resorts. Volunteers at all the mountains donate their time, passion and skills to assist skiers, riders and other visitors to have a safe experience in resorts. Beyond staging rescues of injured people there is so much that patrols do behind the scenes, from assessing slopes before they are open to the public, managing safety on the slopes, and assisting with rescues in the backcountry.

But the Perisher Volunteer Ski Patrol (PSP) is facing an uncertain future due to the actions of Vail Resorts, the US-based owners of Perisher.

PSP say that: ‘Vail Resorts has made the shocking decision to ban the PSP – a specialist squad of VRA Rescue NSW (Volunteer Rescue Association) from operating‘.

The following information comes from Perisher Volunteer Ski Patrol (PSP), it is taken from an update on their petition page: the page is here – you can sign the petition and find further information here.

11 Sept 2024

Perisher Valley, NSW September 2024 – No Change from Vail, No support from Government.

The Perisher Volunteer Ski Patrol (PSP), a cornerstone of safety and community service in the Kosciuszko National Park for over 55 years, is facing an uncertain future due to the actions of Vail Resorts, the US-based owners of Perisher. This decision has sparked widespread concern among local stakeholders and the broader community.

For over half a century, PSP has provided essential first aid, rescue, and educational services to visitors of the Perisher Ranges. Our dedicated team of volunteers—many of whom are paramedics, fire brigade members, ex-paid ski patrollers and other medical professionals—has ensured the safety of countless visitors, often at their own expense. Our commitment to public service is unparalleled, meeting and exceeding National Accreditation standards.

However, in a deeply concerning move, Vail Resorts chose to terminate PSP’s services, effectively banning us from continuing our volunteer patrol duties. This decision not only jeopardises the safety of visitors to the Perisher Ranges but also disregards the significant contributions of our volunteers who have tirelessly served the community.

The situation has recently been further exacerbated by Perisher/Vail’s refusal to allow PSP access to our headquarters and accommodation buildings—facilities designed and constructed by PSP with funds raised through significant government grants, public donations, and fundraising efforts. These buildings and several on-mountain rescue huts built by PSP are now threatened as Perisher/Vail seeks to acquire these assets for their use.

Despite approaches to the government, the National Parks Minister has declined to offer her assistance by granting a separate lease independent of the Perisher/Vail group. This refusal leaves PSP without the necessary support to continue our operations.

PSP, a member and squad of VRA Rescue NSW (Volunteer Rescue Association), has its own Public Liability insurance, Workers’ Compensation insurance, and insurance for all equipment and buildings. All our vehicles are registered and covered under third-party insurance. Perisher/Vail’s alleged public claim that our patrol is a risk to the company is a fabrication. Our volunteer members meet National Accreditation Standards and often exceed the qualifications required by Perisher/Vail. They willingly assist the public at their own expense and in their free time.

Nevertheless, PSP’s dedication to public service remains unwavering. We continue to serve the community wherever possible, assisting with activities such as the Cross Country Trails and other local events. Additionally, the Commissioner of VRA Rescue  NSW has expressed strong interest in PSP taking on a broader role in emergency services. The Commissioner has been actively engaged in discussions with PSP to facilitate this expanded role, which could see PSP contributing even more significantly to the safety and well-being of the community.

This is not just an issue of Perisher/Vail’s operational control – it is a matter of public safety and community heritage. PSP has been an integral part of the Perisher community, providing rescue services, education, and support to visitors for decades. 

We call on the community to support our fight to continue serving the visitors to the Perisher Ranges. We urge, The Minister and NPWS to reconsider its decision not to support a change in the lease conditions allowing PSP to continue its vital work in an expanded role within the Kosciuszko National Park. The time to act is now, as we risk losing more than just a patrol service—we risk losing a part of our identity and the trust that has been built over many decades’.