Outdoor Emergency Transportation (OET) is unique to the National Ski Patrol. The Transportation Program offers guidelines for area management to use to set the standard of training for its patrollers who operate toboggans.

Alpine or “Hill” Patrol are required to be proficient in toboggan skills on all runs in our ski area, including our most challenging sections like East Peak Chair line, and Eclipse on the Hidden Valley side of the hill.

We teach new candidates these skills over the course of 4-6 weekends, both days, during the Winter and Spring.

All patrollers also participate in Yearly refreshers.

Hyak, like the other patrols at Snoqualmie Pass teach a standardized curriculum for Outdoor Emergency Transportation.

Below are the basic techniques we use at Hyak and the rest of the Snoqualmie Pass area when teaching toboggan handling:

Part 1: Non Sled Drills

Covers stance thru a progression of non sled drills.

Stance and balance, rope a goat, static tail rope, boot top traverse, praying mantis, the penguin, side-slip, falling leaf, the pump, moving tail rope, sliding hand, anchor hand.

Part 2: Sled Loading

At Hyak we only use the “Sled Loader” technique for lift loading a toboggan.

Loading safety, lap loading with four people, communication, body position, sled loader.

Part 3: Control Surfaces

Demonstration of key features of the Cascade 350 and Cascade 100 toboggans.

Cascade 350: Handles, chain break, control surfaces, tail rope, locking pins.
Cascade 100: Locking handles.

Part 4: Sled Drills

Demonstration of empty sled through advanced loaded sled technique.

Empty sled, kick turn, uphill hand forward, weight transfer, speed control, power stance, the pump, one-hand drill, wheelbarrow, communication, loaded sled, tail rope, rear handles, chain break, route selection, falling leaf.

Part 5: Error Correction

Common errors and how to correct them.

Communication, body position, hip rotation, timing turns.

Part 6: Health, Safety and Wrap-Up

Discussion of health and safety.

Fitness and fatigue, communication, exercises, stretching, avoiding crowded areas, explain drill, demonstrate, do the drill.