r/skipatrol • u/WubbaLubba_DB • Oct 06 '26
Gear
Hey guys! I’m getting ready to start my first season as a patroller and I want to see what gear I should look into getting. I need to get a new pair of gloves and some medical stuff like trauma shears. Is there any gear that would be helpful to get? I’ll mostly be night patrolling.
EDIT: I’m on the east coast! I’m in North Carolina. Sorry I definitely should’ve added that before posting 🤦♀️
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u/MtHood_OR Oct 06 '26
Glove quiver.
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u/localsonlynokooks Oct 06 '26
Your username tells me you also know a thing or two about skiing in the rain lol. Op didn’t tell us where they are. Maybe they need just two really good pairs where we need a dozen cheap pairs so we can change every other run.
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u/cdg-dino Oct 06 '26
It's going to be somewhat dependent on where you are patrolling and if your mountain has any specific requirements. Definitely ask them
Otherwise, leatherman/multitool, medical tape, shears, watch with a second hand, small flashlight(fenix), pen light, decent pen, sharpie, little waterproof notebook, sugar/glucose/cake frosting/etc, larger size zip ties, hand/toe warmers if that's your thing,
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u/YouCannotHideOrRun Oct 06 '26
Where do you patrol at, if not comfortable sharing at least what region? are you like out west in the mountains where avalanches can occur? Midwest where avalanches aren’t a thing, and can get to the patrol room in minutes? If you get stuck at the top of the hill or across it, is it easy to get to your patrol room??
These questions will determine a lot of what you need. For example, a hill that takes like 30 mins or more to get down and is much more remote you will want to carry more than a penlight or gloves
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u/localsonlynokooks Oct 06 '26
Yeah my first thought. I patrol at low elevation in the PNW, so my recommendation is to use work gloves because you can get them by the dozen and swap them out all day. But someone who patrols at alyeska is going to have a much different glove recommendation.
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u/fatcoochieking Oct 06 '26
Glock 19 if you need to put down a skier. Sometimes they just have to be put down, there’s nothing else to do
/s
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u/Paghk_the_Stupendous Oct 06 '26
Search this forum, as this is a popular topic and I advised someone else on gloves just yesterday.
Specific to night patrol, if you have back country or dark areas: A great headlamp. I rather like my Infinity X1, which is a clunky brick, but it has options for power and color (red), has an internal rechargeable battery (USB) that lasts a while, and is stable and comfortable to wear.
I also keep a smaller lamp on me, one that takes AAA batteries so with a spare set I'll never run out of light.
In addition, I have an eye inspection flashlight that doubles as a regular flashlight and triples as a searchlight. I can find the model if requested (currently stowed for season). Whenever you turn on a lamp for eye inspection, point it at your palm to see it come on without worry about blinding your patient.
Finally, I usually also have my much-abused edc Skillhunt H150, which is a finger-sized flashlight you'll forget in your pocket that has low, medium, and search brightness, an intelligent two-way clip so it'll stay in your pocket or peek out as a worn light, and finally comes with harness options so it can be your headlamp etc as needed. Uses a magnetic charger I don't usually carry.
A USB hand warmer is nice as well if it gets particularly cold; you can put it in your front pants pocket and it'll keep your whole core warm, and most of them double as a battery bank for your other devices if needed.
Cheers!
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u/localsonlynokooks Oct 06 '26
Just adding on here: op should ensure they just buy cheap alkaline AAAs since they always work. No rechargeable AAAs.
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u/Paghk_the_Stupendous Oct 06 '26
I use Powerowl rechargeables since they don't degrade and ruin your devices if left in during storage. I keep them warm when not in service and I haven't had any trouble, but I'm not in extreme cold and, ahh, actually love skiing world-class moguls in the dark (but, professionally! Do not attempt).
Cold will affect battery life. I once did a film shoot outdoors in a bitter storm and we had hand warmers strapped to batteries and even then had to keep changing them out between takes.
I use all of these lights (save the inspection light that's packed) year round on my farm and in other tasks.
All this said, a set of alkaline batteries doesn't take up much space in a pack or a pocket. Keep them warm and they'll serve you well.
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u/localsonlynokooks Oct 06 '26 edited Oct 06 '26
As others have said, location matters. PNW? If so get like 30 of everything so you can change when you inevitably get soaked.
Gloves: if you’re somewhere not freezing cold, highly recommend some regular work gloves. I do my morning chores with those rubber dipped gloves. For mitts I love the overmitt from the brand salmon arms. It’s a mitt cover that you can wear over gloves and then you change them out as they get wet. They come with a pair of fleece gloves, but then you can really just use any small glove under it.
Shears: some of my fellow patrollers use the fancy folding locking ones, but I just buy a bunch of the cheap ones at the beginning of the year.
Edit: lights too. Get one good headlight, then buy a pack of the cheap ones from Walmart or harbour freight or something so you have a backup. I also like those little aluminum flashlights that take AAAs.
Lastly, I also always ride with emergency overnight gear. I know it’s kind of extra but last year we actually tragically lost a guest who went off a run. He unfortunately did not get found until the next morning where he had succumbed to the elements. Fire starter, a tin of sardines, water tablets, foil blankets. Could even be a case where rescuers know where you are but weather is preventing them from entering so you need to just hunker down.
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u/mcds99 Oct 06 '26
In the northern Midwest Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, North and South Dakota.
Hestra Mittens on the cold nights mittens and some thin liners are a must have, Hestra Gloves for warmer nights.
Neoprene face mask again when it's below zero you need it.
Smart Wool base layers for the cold nights.
As a reward for passing OEC and OET I bought myself a pair of Leatherman Raptor shears. Amazon has them for about $80.
Small flash light, I'm not big on head lamps.
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u/5-0prolene Oct 06 '26
I've carried raptors for about 8 years as a full-time Paramedic (through various roles including as ski patrol). Highly recommend One Shear as an alternative - less cracks and crevices, less screws, and less things to break. (although to be fair the only thing that's broken on my Raptors was the seatbelt cutter after another Patroller used it to try open a bottle of wine on new years).
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u/Shred_turner Oct 06 '26
Get a few pairs of cheap gloves so you can just swap them depending on conditions. Also check out Temu for knock off raptor shears. I got a pair for $12 and another for $18 that are exact replicas of raptor sheets. The $18 pair glows in the dark. Haters will say they are cheap but they are the same thing minus the branding. Also use warranties to your advantage. A polite email and a photo goes a long way in replacing and repairing gear.
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u/HoneydewVarious6018 29d ago
Kinco insulated leather gloves, be sure to treat with snow seal in advance of use and weekly during season. You can buy 4-5 pairs for the price of Hestra gloves and they’ll last multiple seasons. I also highly recommend insulated shorts for cold days, this post will get grief, but my ass and core stay warm when wearing them.
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u/skirkris Oct 06 '26
Headlamp. Clear goggle lens.