Ski Patrol Insights: Breaking Barriers and Ensuring Safety with Janna Allen

Welcome to season four of the Ski Moms podcast!
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In this episode Nicole and Sarah interview Janna Allen, Ski Patrol Director at Brundage Mountain in Idaho. Janna shares her journey from a ski-loving child to a professional snowboarder and eventually a ski patrol leader. 

We learn about what it means to be a Ski Patrol Director, overseeing ski patrol operations, including the use of explosives for avalanche control and managing medical emergencies on the mountain. Janna discusses the daily challenges of ski patrol, from unpredictable schedules to handling serious injuries. She emphasizes the importance of flexibility in hiring and scheduling to attract and retain women in ski patrol, noting that at Brundage, 42% of patrollers are women, compared to the national average of 23%. 

We discuss the qualifications needed for ski patrol, such as Outdoor Emergency Care certification or EMT training, and the physical skills required to operate rescue toboggans. Janna offers valuable safety tips for skiers and snowboarders, including the importance of pre-season fitness, knowing emergency contact numbers, and following the skier's responsibility code. 

We loved learning about the apres ski scene in McCall, Idaho,  which includes activities like hockey, snowmobiling to hot springs, and local dining.

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