Mentorship

There's a place at the top of the world that reaches into our hearts, chills us with extremes, builds courage, companionship, camaraderie, creates immense joy, respect for fear, makes us feel alive, takes life, and shatters bone. Everyone who's been here feels a deep love for the bowl at the summit of Mt. Ashland. Our ski patrol has been here through the very best and worst this rugged alpine environment has to offer our community.

Every storm, every bluebird day, through howling wind, storm, and pummeling weather, the dedication to preserving this sacred space for our community is a testament to the heartfelt dedication in each of our Patrollers.

It's with great love that we all arrive here to serve the public, to ski into danger, trigger avalanches, and respond to those in need when things don't turn out as planned.

This painting is in honor of our patrol on Mount Ashland, who've saved the lives of many, myself notwithstanding. ♥️🏔️🙏🏼

The scene tells the story of a morning in January when Olivia Beam (our youngest pro patroller), Kacy Carlson (our patrol director), and I were on a ski cutting mission after blasting. Kacy mentors Olivia, teaching her the ways the snowpack evolves in one of the most treacherous places on the mountain. Together, we keep each other safe and share knowledge about our efforts to protect our community from avalanche danger and mentor our next generation of Mount Ashland Ski Patrollers.