PEIThe P.E.I. chapter of the Canadian Ski Patrol is looking for more volunteers ahead of another season on the slopes. Training begins Oct. 18 at the Brookvale Alpine LodgeBrittany Spencer · CBC News · Posted: Oct 13, 2025 5:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 5 hours agoThe P.E.I. chapter of the Canadian Ski Patrol handles first aid at the Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park in Brookvale and at other events across the province (Submitted by Canadian Ski Patrol – Brookvale)The Canadian Ski Patrol is looking for new volunteers to work at the Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park in Brookvale this winter. The group handles first aid at the ski park and at other events across the province, like the upcoming P.E.I. Marathon. “Our job is to be the on site, the immediate first help to stabilize any life-threatening injuries and then also safely get them out of that scenario and get them to the help that they really need,” said Carol Le Maistre-Matthys, head of recruitment for the P.E.I. chapter of the Canadian Ski Patrol.She said while the ski hill at Brookvale may be on the smaller side, the patrol team on the Island is mighty — about 40 strong. Some of those patrollers are fairly new, but others have been with the organization for more than 30 years, she said.“We have people from all walks of life join,” she said. “As long as you’re able to be on sports equipment, such as downhill skis, snowboard, cross-country skis, fat bike, or snow shoes and you’re able to respond to a patient, then we do the rest. We’ll train you for all of the first-aid requirements.” The group handles first aid at the ski park during the winter season and at other events across the province, like the upcoming P.E.I. Marathon. (Submitted by Canadian Ski Patrol – Brookvale)Le Maistre-Matthys said the training includes about 60 hours of in-classroom instruction and another 45 hours of online training. Recruits will learn skills for assessing patients and how to triage, basic anatomy and physiology, stabilizing and splinting, as well as processes for completing chair lift evacuations. Volunteers will also be trained on how to respond to large-scale emergencies and mass-casualty situations where paramedics and first responders would have difficulty responding, like events with large crowds, she said. Le Maistre-Matthys said the organization will assess a volunteer’s skiing and snowboarding skills, but those who want to join don’t have to be experts on the slopes to get involved. “We also provide little lessons and skill improvement classes and courses,” she said, adding that until volunteers feel comfortable with their abilities on the hills they can patrol smaller, more manageable areas. The first day of training is on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Brookvale Alpine Lodge. Le Maistre-Matthys said people interested can register in-person the day of training. ABOUT THE AUTHORBrittany Spencer is a multi-platform reporter and producer with CBC Prince Edward Island. She’s covered politics, health care and the justice system. She’s a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s journalism program and joined CBC in 2017. You can reach her at brittany.spencer@cbc.caWith files from Island Morning
P.E.I. chapter of the Canadian Ski Patrol looking for volunteers ahead of 2025-26 ski season
