Ski Patrol
Go-to Gear, Spots, and Runs
Insider tips from the Patrol pros
Ski patrol routinely mitigates avalanche risk throughout the resort, including—but not limited to—Empire’s expert terrain.
Image: Eric Schramm
Go-to gear and day-pack must-haves
- Boot heaters and/or boot liners (such as moldable DFP liners)
- Lip balm
- Sunscreen
- Work gloves (such as Kincos), slathered in snow seal
- Cozy animal-hide mittens for frigid moments
- Spare goggles, mittens, gloves, and socks
- Hand warmers
- A good, sharp knife/multitool
- Coffee mug
- Water bottle (and, sometimes, hydration powder)
- Beacon and shovel
- Quick-energy refuel (or feel-good) snacks, such as fig bars, Pro Bars, Deer Valley cookies, and honey sticks
Go-to spots
- Coffee (other than the patrol shack brew): Montage’s Buzz Café, Silver Lake Lodge, Ritual, and Atticus
- Après: for traditional, O’Shucks (Main Street); for classy, The Goldener Hirsch
Go-to runs
On an average day
- Stein’s Way (in the morning)
- Champion (per the mogul skier of the group)
- Ruins of Pompeii
- Sidewinder (in the morning)
- Chute 4, Empire
On a powder day
- Perseverance Bowl
- Ontario Bowl
- Sultan (specific run names withheld; ski patrol has to keep a few secrets)
- Mayflower
- Argus
- Centennial
