Ski Patrollers Receive National Recognition

Two ski patrollers received national recognition at a recent National Ski Patrol (NSP) awards ceremony.

Kerry Metlen was awarded National Ski Patrol National Appointment #12243 on Saturday 08/14/2021. National Appointments are for patrollers who have demonstrated leadership, good character, diplomacy, positive attitudes, good judgment, exemplary patrolling abilities, and extraordinary service.

Kerry has been an active member of the National Ski Patrol since 1994, He has been a member of the Mt. Ashland Ski Patrol since 2010. Kerry has been a key member of our patrol and in addition to his patrolling duties has served in leadership and training roles while on the Mt Ashland Ski Patrol. Kerry comes from a patrolling family. His wife and father are also patrollers.

Since the National Ski Patrol was founded in 1938, only 12,243 appointments have been awarded. Currently, NSP has 26,000 members in 600 patrols.

Congratulations, Kerry!

Doug Volk received the NSP Silver Merit Star on Saturday, 08/14/2021. This award is in recognition of his being first runner up for the award of Outstanding Paid Patrol Director in the U.S. for 2021.
Doug started patrolling professionally as an NSP Alpine Patroller in 1977. This season will mark his 45th season patrolling. Doug started patrolling at Mt Ashland in 1985. Doug became Patrol Director at Mt Ashland in 1996 and has been the director for the past 25yrs, the longest tenure of any director in Mt Ashland Ski Patrol history.

Doug attained NSP Alpine Certified status in 1986. He has been awarded an NSP Yellow Merit Star for participation in a group rescue effort that saved a life, was awarded the NSP Purple Merit Star for saving a life in 1989, and was awarded Mt Ashland Ski Patrol’s Chuck Telfer Award for Outstanding Patroller in 1989. Doug was awarded his own NSP National Appointment in 2004. He was awarded PNSAA Tower of Excellence Award in 2017, was awarded NSP Outstanding Paid Patrol Director Oregon Region 2019-2020, and was awarded NSP Pacific Northwest Division Outstanding Paid Patrol Director 2019-2020.

We owe much gratitude to Doug for many years of service to our skiing and riding community. His list of achievements is a testament to his commitment to excellence and safety at Mt. Ashland. Thank you, Doug!

Please read carefully! This is a release of liability and a waiver of certain legal rights.
The purchaser, holder and/or user of this pass or any person named on this pass application (“participant”) understands that skiing, snowboarding and other winter activities (“skiing”) can be hazardous and that injuries are common when participating in such activities. Participant accepts and assumes the risks associated with skiing, including, but not limited to, changing weather conditions, variations or steepness in terrain, terrain features and parks, snow or ice conditions, surface or subsurface conditions, bare spots, creeks and gullies, forest growth, rocks, stumps, the use of lifts, collisions with natural or manmade objects or other persons, avalanches, snow immersion, equipment failure, no or delayed first aid rescue, grooming and snowmobile equipment, lift towers and other structures and their components, falling, loss of control, and exceeding one’s ability. Participant hereby freely and expressly assumes any and all risk of property damage, injury and death associated with skiing.
In consideration for lift access and the use of any other area facilities and premises, participant hereby agrees to release, hold harmless, and indemnify Mt. Ashland association, dba Mt. Ashland and its owners, partners, members, employees, directors, officers, agents, affiliates, and related entities (“Mt. Ashland”) from any and all claims by or on behalf of participant against Mt. Ashland arising directly or indirectly out of participant’s use of this pass and/or the area facilities and premises. This release includes claims and liabilities arising from negligence on the part of Mt. Ashland, but does not include claims based upon gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Participant also agrees to indemnify (including costs and attorney fees) Mt. Ashland for any claim brought on behalf of any minor named on this season pass application.
Participant understands that, instead of entering into this agreement, participant may purchase a day ticket. Participant is free to participate in skiing at Mt. Ashland without using any ski area lifts or uphill conveyances, subject to any applicable rules of use.
1. A Season Pass is a weather-dependent product and is non-refundable, non-transferable and may not be rolled over from one season to the next. Use by any other person will result in forfeiture of the Season Pass. However we understand that unexpected circumstances can occur and exceptions will be made under limited circumstances. Pro-rated Season Pass refunds are given for: 1.) documented relocation out of the area or 2.) documented illness, injury, or pregnancy. All refund requests must be received by February 15th of the year the season pass in question is valid. All refunds are at the discretion of Mt. Ashland. A $50 processing fee will be charged for all refund requests.
2. The undersigned agree(s) to abide by all federal, state, and ski area statutes, rules, regulations and closures including, but not limited to ORS 30.970 - 30.990 and “Your Responsibility Code”
3. There is a $25.00 charge for the replacement of any lost Season Pass. The undersigned agree(s) to notify the ski area immediately if a Season Pass is lost. The ski area will issue one complimentary lift ticket, per season, per pass holder, if a Season Pass is forgotten. After that, a lift ticket must be purchased.
4. The Season Pass must be displayed in a manner that allows for easy checking or scanning by ski area employees.
5. Eligibility for an Adaptive Season Pass is within the sole discretion of the ski area and medical proof may be required.
6. Violation of any of these terms and conditions may result in suspension and/or revocation of a Season Pass. A Season Pass may be revoked without refund at any time for misconduct or nuisance caused by the Participant.

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