National Ski Patrol launches inaugural sponsored athlete-ambassador program

National Ski Patrol (NSP), an organization committed to safety and rescue education for the outdoor industry, launched its first-ever NSP Athlete Program. This groundbreaking initiative marks a significant milestone in NSP’s 85-year history, celebrating the competitive athleticism and youthful spirit of its members while integrating the organization’s creed.

The inaugural group of NSP Athlete-Ambassadors includes seven ski patrollers representing a wide range of ages, genders, patrol locations and competitive mountain sports. The selected NSP Athletes embody NSP’s values of service, safety and education in skiing, snowboarding and biking – disciplines that align with NSP’s educational mission.

Through competitions, events and community outreach, they will advance a love for the mountains while emphasizing the importance of preparedness and responsibility. They will also engage with the public, share their experiences and represent NSP as athlete-ambassadors.

“We are thrilled to introduce the innovative NSP Athlete-Ambassador Program and celebrate the athleticism of our ski patrollers,” said Stephanie Cox, CEO of NSP. “This program not only supports our competing athletes, but also demystifies the role of a ski patroller, while highlighting the broader impact of NSP on the ever-growing outdoor industry. We hope to expand our reach to new audiences, reshape the NSP brand, recruit promising candidates and cultivate the next generation of patrollers.”

The NSP Athlete-Ambassador Program provides comprehensive support to these competitive athlete-patrollers, including resources, a sponsorship stipend, training assistance, equipment support and mentorship from experienced patrollers. This NSP sponsorship season runs from November 2024 to November 2025.

“By investing in these talented patroller-athletes, [NSP] is committed to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation and community within the outdoor industry. We are inspiring people to pursue their passions, embrace outdoor adventure and prioritize safety,” said Cox.

The inaugural group of NSP Athletes is a diverse team of seven talented patrollers (notably, one patroller is also the first-ever, sponsored employee of NSP), including four women and three men. Ranging in age from a 16-year-old Young Adult Patroller to a seasoned 44-year-old master athlete, they span patrol locations from California to New York, including Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming and Virginia. Their combined technical expertise includes skiing, snowboarding and biking.
Athletes:

• Charlie Bernicke, 26 (Grand Targhee, Wyo.): freeride skiing
• Samantha Braden, 16 (Wintergreen, Va.): skiing and mountain biking
• Mackenzie Case, 24 (Labrador Mountain, N.Y.): freeride skiing
• Daniel Linden, 30 (Loveland, Colo.): snowboarding
• Alex Maresjo, 37 (Bogus Basin, Idaho): alpine skiing
• Michelle McGee, 44 (China Peak, Calif.): mountain biking
• Maddie Miller, 29 (Bryan Mountain, Colo., and NSP headquarters in Lakewood, Colo., as a full-time employee): skiing and mountain biking