Wilderness First Responder

ski patrol in breck and that's about it.

If you're a really talented skier and have WFR it greatly increases your odds of becoming a ski patroller.

Having a WFR can be a great asset to pursuing a career in guiding, but you might want to push and also get your WEMT. Many guide groups/agencies/certifications require additional certifications--avalanche, compass/map/orienteering, swift water rescue, high angle rescue... the list goes on.

Generally speaking there's no set parameters,/universals it can vary state by state and so on. For instance, check out this page: http://www.maine.gov/ifw/licenses_permits/guide.htm That's just an example of how it CAN work.

You can always be lucky and end up in a place/position where you get trained up from the inside.

If you're seriously considering a career in such a field I would reccomend looking at some NOLS courses. They have outdoor leader, outdoor educator, rescue courses, wilderness medicine courses, the full gamut really. Other places to continue your education could be SOLO Wilderness School.

http://www.nols.edu/
http://www.soloschools.com

Ski patrol is a great option. im on ski patrol on the east coast (stratton mountain). at my mountain, if you already have credentials you can challenge the OEC (outdoor emergency care) test, which is the national ski patrol specific test. when you join national ski patrol you also get a ton of benefits. its a great program that is worth getting involved in.

Yeah I'm actually signed up for an outdoor leadership class this semester as well, Thanks for all the info too!

Sure thing! Both institutions provide great courses, I have a lot of family and friends that have either taken courses through them or been instructors. So, needless to say, I'm a proponent.

What course are you taking?

I have my wfr and planed on being patrol but am not going to have the two year commitment head director of patrol wanted (heading west next year). Having a wfr or emt is pretty mandatory as a minimum. Having your wfr is still very good to have especialy as a skiier. Its good if one of your buddies eat shit and are going to need help even if its in a urban enviorment.

I have my WFA, but not WFR. The WFA (Wilderness First Aid) is a great intro course to this type of thing. It takes a weekend to complete, and is much cheaper than a WFR. For those considering pursuing a WFR, you may want to check out a WFA first. WFRs are great, but cost a tremendous amount and take a great deal of time. Remember, you must constantly renew your certification.

The WFR class

have a WFR and OEC certification

going to patrol with it

If you want to be a professional member of any ski patrol in the US get your OEC. some resorts will acccept a WFR, but you may have to do additional testing.

Ive had my WFR for three years and an OEC for two. OEC for patrol all the way, check out NSP.org. 

If you want to be a mtn guide you will need more then a WFR. Check AMGA( American Mountain Guide Association). H20 heli guides also offer some courses. Ski guides need medical training,mechanical training(for heli and cat ski guides), and of course avalanche stuff.

A WFR will beef up for resume if anything, and its good to have in case your encounter any type of medical emergency. You can get a job has a river guide with a WFR, but very unikley with just a WFR, I'm an apprentice ski guide and I have multuiple certifications for medical and avy training.

I am an EMT and WFA-instructor (I have only ever taught 2 classes though).

Have always thought about doing WEMT, which adds with WFR stuff on top of your EMT training. NOLS WMI does an upgrade class for medical professionals that I've always thought of doing to get my CEU's done for recert. Maybe next year.

WFA is a fun little class. WFR generally takes several days (and is much more expensive).

i have it. its pretty neat.