We’re always the first ones out on the slopes. On a typical day, when the weather is nice, we head up early and discuss as a team what’s on the agenda for the day. For example, is there a special event or a ski race? After the morning briefing, each patrol member knows from the duty roster what tasks they have and which section of the resort they’re responsible for. The duty roster also clearly specifies who is responsible for which areas—whether it involves securing the slopes with side markers, signage, and barriers, or closing certain runs. After that, everyone heads to their post and begins their patrol. My duties also include a lot of administrative work: Every day, I check the avalanche bulletin and send our weather data to the SLF (Swiss Avalanche Research Institute) so they can prepare their avalanche forecasts. On top of that, there are day-to-day tasks that need to be handled on the mountain. Afterward, I usually head out onto the slopes to check whether our slope perimeter is in order and whether everything I instructed this morning has been carried out.

When the weather is bad, our daily routine changes. In the morning, we first have to decide which runs we can open and which ones might be better off staying closed due to the weather conditions. Sometimes avalanche control operations are also necessary. In these cases, we decide whether small, localized blasting operations are sufficient or whether we need to carry out larger-scale operations using helicopters or blasting masts. I make these assessments together with my deputies or team leaders. Another important task is keeping a close eye on the weather throughout the day. Bad weather can change as the day goes on—it can snow more heavily, the wind can pick up, or the avalanche danger can increase. We have to constantly reassess the situation. The safety of our guests and employees is always our top priority.

Everything that takes place above the snow is within our area of responsibility. Our core responsibilities cover three main areas: First, slope inspection and marking—that is, both the installation and maintenance of signage, markings, and barriers in the ski area. Second, ensuring safety in the ski area, particularly avalanche safety—including controlled avalanche blasting—as well as protection against natural hazards. And third, providing first aid in the event of accidents, including the rescue of injured snow sports enthusiasts and their transport down to the valley.

The control center is staffed from morning until evening, until the last patrol officer has returned to the valley after the final slope inspection. The main task of the person at the control center is to determine the exact location of the accident within the ski area. Sometimes this is easy if the injured person knows the area well and can clearly state where they are—for example, on the Champion run, past the crest on the steep slope, roughly in the middle. That makes our job much easier. Often, however, it’s more complicated, especially with international guests who are visiting the area for the first time and speak a different language. By asking specific questions, we’re able to pinpoint the accident location even in such situations. As soon as the exact location is known, the nearest patrol officer is dispatched there—equipped with a backpack and a sled. Upon arriving at the accident site, the patrol officer reports this to headquarters and first assesses the situation: Can he rescue the person on his own using the sled? Does he need additional help? Or is it a more serious accident, such as a collision, that requires even more assistance? He then examines the patient to determine the nature of their injuries. If the patrol officer decides he can transport the person on the sled, he prepares them, loads them onto the sled, and notifies the control center. The control center then alerts the necessary emergency services. For example: The patrol officer reports to headquarters that he is on his way to the Marguns mountain station with a 35-year-old man who has a wrist fracture. There, the SOS gondola is arranged for transport down to the valley, and an ambulance is arranged for the trip to the Upper Engadine Hospital or the Gut Clinic.

We transport patients with particular care using our special SOS gondola at the Marguns mountain station, into which the rescue sled—with the patient on board—can be pushed. On Corviglia, we use the funicular for transport down to the valley. There are various meeting points where we hand the patients over to the ambulance crew. Our goal is always to make the transport as gentle and comfortable as possible.

In the event of serious accidents—such as collisions involving multiple parties—the dispatch center may also request a helicopter. As soon as a helicopter is called in, more patrol officers are needed to secure the landing site, guide the helicopter, record patient information, interview witnesses, and take photos. Such collisions must be documented in detail so that all information can later be handed over to the police. The first patrol officer to arrive at the scene is responsible for the documentation and the accident report. As soon as the injured person has been transported away, the patrol officer returns to the station and prepares a detailed accident report. This report contains all relevant information, such as patient details, the sequence of events leading to the accident, weather conditions, witness statements, sketches, and photos. The dispatch center reviews the report for completeness and saves it in the system. This is particularly important for insurance matters and potential legal proceedings, where it is crucial that all information is properly documented and can still be retrieved years later.

Ski equipment and the condition of the slopes have changed dramatically over the past 20 years, which has also led to a shift in accident patterns. Classic injuries like tibial fractures are less common today. This is because we now have much better equipment on our feet and the slopes are groomed differently—20 years ago, when these modern snow groomers didn’t exist yet, the slopes were often bumpy, which led to accident patterns quite different from those on today’s perfectly groomed and flatter slopes. Especially with the highly sidecut carving skis, new forces act on the body, which has led to an increase in knee injuries. Thanks to improved equipment, people ski faster, and when an accident occurs, the impact is often more severe than it used to be. So the nature of accidents has definitely changed.

My goal is for our patrol members to be even better trained than the standards require. We offer many in-house training sessions, often in collaboration with the Upper Engadine Hospital or the Gut Clinic. There, we can provide our patrol members with even more specialized medical training. During these sessions, we also discuss past cases, reflect on our approach, and consider what could be improved. In addition, we conduct regular CPR drills. Every year, we hold a training evening at Samedan Hospital, where orthopedic surgeons and other doctors give presentations. Last year, we were even able to observe a live surgery for a wrist fracture, which gave our patrol members a deeper understanding of injuries. It’s very important to me to maintain the high standard of our training and continuing education. We’re currently participating in a pilot project involving the painkiller fentanyl: Our patrol members are equipped with a special fentanyl lollipop that they can administer to accident victims experiencing severe pain. Since fentanyl is a powerful painkiller, our team receives specific training on its use. Here, too, we adhere to our principle of treating and transporting patients as gently as possible. My goal is to consistently maintain high standards, introduce new technologies and methods, and continue to improve.

You definitely have to be able to handle the weather, since the job takes place outdoors in the cold and snow. Being a good skier is essential. It’s also important to have good communication skills, since we work in an international ski resort. We can’t expect our patrol members to be fluent in every language. Nevertheless, they must be able to communicate with patients, especially in situations where the person is in pain and particularly vulnerable. Mental strength is also crucial. You occasionally see avalanche victims, serious injuries, or crying children—you can’t let that scare you or paralyze you; instead, you have to know what to do. The ability to go from 0 to 100 is essential. After all, it can be quiet all day, and suddenly you’re called to an emergency like a heart attack on the slopes. Despite the challenges, the majority of patrol members stay in this profession because they enjoy their work and recognize the meaning of their task when they can directly help someone.

Unfortunately, there are times when an injured person dies right at the scene of the accident. In moments like that, you just keep working at first. It’s important to get together later to discuss the incident during a debriefing. This reflection is especially important in serious cases to help us regain some emotional distance. Personally, I seek out conversations with my wife and family, and I also find a way to unwind through my work in agriculture. Spending half an hour in the barn with the animals helps me leave the day behind. There are different ways to cope with such experiences. While some say they’re fine, others process the incident in their own way. If someone doesn’t have a supportive environment and is alone in the evening, they may dwell on the incident and have trouble sleeping. In such cases, it’s important to ask if the person would like to talk about it after all. We all support one another.

When our employees come home safe and sound, without any major accidents. After all, we’re out on the slopes every day, too. It’s also my goal for our guests to have an outstanding day on the slopes and for everyone to go home with a smile. Even if someone has bad luck and gets injured, we hope they can say: “I ended up in the hospital, but luckily I had my accident on Corviglia. The patrol officer was very nice, took good care of me, and the whole process was quick and smooth.” If we achieve that, we’ve done our job well.