Ski industry partnership strengthens mental resilience

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Three organizations in the outdoor recreation and safety community have launched a national initiative to strengthen the mental health and resilience of professional ski patrollers.

National Ski Patrol, The Cody St. John Foundation and Responder Alliance have joined forces to provide stress awareness education, resilience training and scholarships to patrollers across the country. The effort seeks to equip front-line responders with tools to manage stress, improve communication and support team well-being.

National Ski Patrol will lead the collaboration, aligning the program with patrollers’ needs and expanding industry-wide wellness efforts. The Cody St. John Foundation will fund 10 scholarships this season to make specialized group training accessible, while Responder Alliance will deliver its established resilience curriculum tailored for outdoor first responders.

“Ski patrollers are the backbone of mountain safety, often the first on scene in high-stress and high-stakes situations,” said Stephanie Cox, CEO of National Ski Patrol. “By supporting their resilience, we’re also supporting the safety culture that defines our mountains.”

The training program includes courses on stress awareness, team-based communication and evidence-based strategies for first responders working in outdoor and emergency settings. The curriculum aligns with international standards for stress mitigation and first responder health.

“It’s powerful to see industry-leading organizations come together to support grassroots initiatives for patrols of all sizes,” said Griffin Lawrence, director of Responder Alliance. “This partnership aligns new industry standards around stress mitigation as part of risk management. The result is safer workplaces, longer careers and stronger teams.”

The initiative also honors the legacy of Cody St. John, a ski patroller known for his leadership and compassion who died in a car accident. The foundation named for him supports the education and well-being of ski patrollers nationwide.

“Cody joined Ski Patrol because he was called to serve others, including his fellow patrollers,” said Corinne St. John, president of The Cody St. John Foundation. “Through this partnership, we’re carrying that spirit forward by helping patrollers strengthen their resilience and keep showing up for their teams and communities.”

The partnership reflects a growing recognition within the ski industry that mental resilience is as critical as technical skill. Major ski operators such as Alterra Mountain Company have recently made similar commitments to stress and trauma training, signaling an industry-wide shift toward prioritizing the well-being of first responders.

“When we strengthen our patrollers, we strengthen the entire mountain community,” Cox said.