If you can see Mt. Baker, you are part of The Experience
While ski patrol has been present on Mt. Baker for nearly a century, it is only now been organized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit for the first time in its storied history. Under its new moniker, the Mt. Baker Volunteer Association (MBVA) will hold its first fundraiser at Boundary Bay Brewery on Thursday, October 17, open to the public for $10.
MBVA director Krister Fast said that the organization’s large network of volunteers hopes to continue to provide top-notch care at Washington’s premiere ski area but needs the community’s help as costs continue to soar for training, supplies and equipment.
MBVA comprises roughly 285 volunteers making up ski patrol, aid room staff, Mountain Education Center staff, mountain hosts and community event hosts.
Ski patrol is the safety backbone on the mountain. Members respond to accidents, provide first aid and ensure the slopes are safe for the thousands of skiers and snowboards that flock to Mt. Baker Ski Area every winter.
Aid room staff are the first point of contact for those injured. Aid room staff provide medical assistance, assess injuries and coordinate with Whatcom County EMS for further care and transport.
The Mountain Education Center staff teach visitors about crucial mountain safety, proper equipment use, and the fragile environment of Mt. Baker and the North Cascades. These staff are deeply passionate about educating others on the world of Mt. Baker Ski Area and can answer questions about the local environment, travel and safety on the mountain.
Mountain hosts are the face of Mt. Baker Ski Area, providing assistance and information to visitors. Community event staff help organize and execute the various events at the ski area that happen throughout the season, like the Legendary Banked Slalom.
All told, MBVA does anything from search and rescue and EMS to training and volunteer programs. As a nonprofit, MBVA relies on donations to provide top-notch training, vital supplies, and modern equipment to their team in order to foster a safe experience at Mt. Baker Ski Area.
The volunteer force ranges from age 20 to 80, with oldest MBVA member Bruce Rustad going on patrol for nearly six decades, Fast said.
What keeps somebody coming back to help out year after year? Fast said it’s the bonds shared between ski patrol members, and the impact that helping out can make. Fast knows of multiple ski patrol members who joined after being helped out on the mountain in previous seasons, inspired to give back through service.
“You can chalk it up to camaraderie and family,” Fast said.
Younger ski volunteers have gone on to careers in the medical and first responder fields, Fast said, and many continue to volunteer to keep their skills sharp – even those who have moved on to desk jobs.
“A lot of people say they want to give back to the ski community,” Fast said. “You could be a woofer (wilderness first responder) or an EMT while you have a regular desk job back home and you just want to utilize the medical training you might have.”
No matter your reasons for joining – and yes, a season pass is often the main reason for many – Fast said having a registered nonprofit to organize under makes fundraising much more streamlined, and makes it easier for the public to support.
Rescue toboggans, which fetch for thousands of dollars, extensive training for dozens of search and rescue, EMS and other staff, and other equipment upgrades can stack up, Fast said.
“It takes a lot to be able to keep ski patrol and other parts of the volunteer association running at a top notch level,” Fast said. “With the proper training that we give to everybody, that keeps us all at the top of our game and I think that’s critical to keep ski patrol aiming for the highest standards.”
Proper training is crucial for a popular ski resort like Mt. Baker Ski Area, Fast said. The expectation of world class skiing should also come with an assurance of world class treatment if something goes wrong.
“When people are in trouble and need to get off the hill, or control bleeding or stabilize a broken bone of whatever the case may be, I think it’s in everybody’s interest to have a well-trained volunteer organization,” Fast said.
In preparation for the 2024/25 ski season, the fundraiser will be held on Thursday, October 17 at 5 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at mtbkaervolunteers.org, and the event will feature raffle items like a signature Mt. Baker-branded surfboard, a mountain bike frame from Transition, mountain guiding courses and much more.
Local staple Spaceband will perform live throughout the night, with brews, burgers, brats and more ready at Boundary Bay Brewery.
Come on down for a night of music, fun, prizes, all going towards the cause of keeping people safe on our favorite mountain. X
