National Ski Patrol Awards

These are ONLY excerpts from NSP P&P, Ch 12.  PLEASE refer to the actual section when considering a nomination!
For more details log into: NSP.org / Member Resources / Governance / NSP P&P (link) / Ch.12 (pg 116) Awards Program

These awards may be requested at any time of year.

Appointments

Leadership Commendation and National Appointment common qualifications
  • Served a minimum 8 years as an active patroller, with at least 1 year as a full Senior
  • Demonstrated leadership that supports the NSP, which may include:
    • Serving at the Section, Region, Division or National levels.
    • Serving 2 or more seasons as an instructor in any NSP discipline.
    • Demonstrating exceptional performance as a Patrol Representative.
    • Demonstrating leadership while working with skiing public relating to education and safety.
  • Nomination must come from an NSP member that has an Appointment (NA or LCA).  Nomination must include a letter explaining the reason the person should be considered for the appointment.
  • Nomination review board will consist of at least 3 active Patrollers with Appointments.

​Leadership Commendation Appointment (LCA)
  • Served a minimum of 1-year active Senior patroller before nomination.
  • Completed the OEC Senior module and 4 additional options from the Senior elective list at least one year before nomination.
​National Appointment (NA)
  • ​Has been an active Senior ALPINE or NORDIC/BACKCOUNTRY or CERTIFIED patroller for at least one year before nomination.

Merit Stars

Must be submitted within 2 years of the event or service being recognized.

Purple Merit Star (PMS)
  • For a Patroller or Alumni (with current OEC and CPR cards) who is primarily responsible for saving a human life through the use of ski patrol skills.
  • Usually only ONE PMS is award per accident, with supporting roles receiving BMS.
  • The patient must survive for approximately 24 hours after EMS takes over responsibility.
  • The nomination must have a signed statement from an attending physician, or if unavailable, from a higher medical authority that can substantiate the patroller’s actions.
  • If a statement cannot be procured, a letter from the Division’s Medical Advisor attesting that ‘in his/her professional opinion based on existing documentation, the patroller’s actions were primarily responsible for saving that person’s life’.
  • If the “save” occurs when the patroller is under the direction of another group (ex: an ambulance squad), he/she is NOT eligible for this award.
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​Blue Merit Star (BMS)
  • For Patrollers or Alumni (with current OEC and CPR cards) for supporting roles using ski patrol skills in an attempt to save a life, but do not meet the PMS criteria.
  • For the primary person in an attempted life save in which the person did not live for a minimum of 24 hours.
  • A BMS IN ASSOCIATION with a PMS requires the same documentation.
  • A BMS NOT in association with a PMS requires its own letter of recommendation on the nomination form describing the incident, but does NOT require MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION.
  • Patrollers performing lifesaving attempts while under the direction of another group are not eligible for this award.

Green Merit Star (GMS)
  • For Patrollers or Alumni (current OEC and CPR credentials) for outstanding acts of heroism that doesn’t meet the lifesaving requirements of a PMS.
  • Given for arduous and/or hazardous rescue work.
  • Requires a letter of recommendation from the Patrol Representative or higher officer.
  • Supporting materials such as newspaper clippings or statements from non-patrol “officials” should be included
  • If the action is performed while under the direction of another group, the Patroller is not eligible for this award.

Yellow Merit Star (YMS)
  • For any outstanding act/service to the NSP.
  • For supporting roles in a PMS, BMS, or GREEN MS rescue.
  • A letter of recommendation and supporting material should be listed on the nomination.
  • Patrollers may receive more than one YMS, but the services they performed for one cannot be considered when requesting another.​

Other Significant Awards

Distinguished Service Award (DSA)

  • Performed extraordinary service to NSP and the skiing public for over 20 years.
  • Does NOT need a NA or LCA to be eligible.
  • May be presented to individuals or an organization not affiliated with NSP for outstanding contributions to the NSP.

Meritorious Service Award (MSA)

  • Intended to fit between the Yellow Merit Star and the Distinguished Service Award.
  • Completed extraordinary service/leadership as a Region or Division STAFF member but NOT an Region Director or Division Director.
  • Intended for a Region or Division program supervisor, advisor, coordinator, treasurer, legal advisor, registrar…  (P&P 12.4.1).
  • Served a minimum of 3 continuous years in a staff position.
  • Demonstrated leadership and outstanding performance while performing that position.
  • Service counted for a previously award YMS cannot be counted toward this award.

Patroller's Cross

  • For a patroller ‘seriously injured’
    • During training or on-hill duty.
    • Performing search and rescue activities under the direction of a recognized authority.
    • Performing avalanche control.
    • Performing lift evacuation under the direction of area management.
  • ‘Serious injury’ is one that requires physician’s care over a long period of time, surgery, extended rehab, and/or lost work time.
  • Required documentation must be noted on the nomination.

Patroller Memorial

  • For a patroller that loses his/her life while performing patrol duties.
  • Required documentation must accompany the nomination within 2 years of the patroller’s passing.

National Certificate of Appreciation

  • For national-level service that does not meet the criteria for a YMS.
  • For patrollers OR non-Patrollers such as area managers/owners, retiring patrollers, or public assisting with a lifesaving or attempted lifesaving incident.

Standard Certificate of Appreciation

  • For situations that affect the NSP at local, region or division levels only.