“Identifiable by a newly-designed arm band with crosses skiis and the word Smith in white on a gold ground, twenty-four of Smith College’s ablest skiiers will patrol the college’s practice hill during the skiing season” – Press Release for A.M. Papers Wednesday, January 12, 1940.
The Smith College Ski Patrol (1944-1948) was a student organized response to increasing safety concerns of Hospital “Dippy” Hill. As a community, Smithies wanted to ensure that there were precautions in place in case anyone got injured while skiing.
Photo of Smith’s first ski patrol which included Margory Hen? ‘??, Barbara Schulz ’50, Jane Goddard ’52, Sue Graham ’52, Chris (Christine) Biddle ’50, ??? Donough ‘??. Athletic Subject Files. CA-MS-00167, Box 1368. Smith College Archives.
According to the Skiing Records Book entry for 1950, the qualifications for ski patrol were the following:
- Pass Skill Test
- Run through Slalom Course (on Hospital Hill)
- Controlled snowplow and snowplow turns
- Ability to bring toboggan down slope
- Have standard Red Cross First Aid Certificate
The Duties of Ski Patrol included:
- Patrol “Dippy” (Hospital) Hill during Open hours (assigned days)
- Teach beginners on “Dippy” Hill
- Assist on Weekend Trips.