I found myself on the eve of my Ski Patrol Ski Test in the spring of 1978 at a cross roads.  I was young, clueless and had a shit ton of enthusiasm.  I loved to ski and wanted to make my mark on the Ski Industry.  I had a little too much salt water on the brain and needed an escape that would challenge me.  I wanted my Hobby Job to
become my Career.  I had enjoyed a short stint in Colorado the winter prior, (77/78) at Colorado Mountain College, studying Ski Area Management.  I figured out that College was getting in the way of Powder days and I just needed to get a job and some experience if I was going to be somebody in the Ski Industry.  I dropped out and headed back west to California in search of my dream job.  Mammoth was a familiar place and they were hiring.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t old enough for the Ski Patrol so I accepted a position on the Lift Crew and set to improving my skiing and knowledge of the Mountain in preparation for my ski test.  

I had the pleasure of working at Chair 14, 78/79 season, with Tony Craycroft, Sean Plunkett and Rick Meyerhoff.  This was a ski chair with incredible views, challenging terrain and an all - around fun zone far removed from the base area. Ski Patrol would also come hide out in the lift shack and harass the lifties when they weren’t sleeping or taking hits off the O2 bottle.  Looked like a cool gig and most of the Patrollers were
welcoming and encouraged me to take a ski test.  Paid to ski, what could be better? The other option was to try out for the Ski School.  This option seemed pretty cool too.  Chicks, excitement, colors, tips and the potential to improve my skiing and become a Certified Ski Instructor.  The odds and the deck were kinda stacked against me since the Cool School had hundreds of potential Poodles trying out for the few positions, they had available each season.  Ski Patrol seemed to be a better fit for my personality, abilities and interests.  I wasn’t sure if they could make a Poodle out of a Mongrel like me, since I just wanted to get high, ski and be free!  (lyrics from a Boys in Blue Movie).  I still took the test just in case and to my amazement I passed and was offered a spot
on the school.  Things were looking up; I had an option.

I also considered trying out for the Patrols at Squaw and Alpine up in Tahoe.  Better to have as many options available and not put all my eggs in just one basket.  Remember, I was at a stage in life where I was just trying to find my place and purpose going forward in the Ski Industry.  I interviewed with Larry Haywood at Alpine and took a ski test.  Alpine had a Trail Crew that was an Apprenticeship program that led to Patrolling.  Passed that ski test and considered paying my dues on the Trail Crew for a few years since their Patrol was smaller and highly respected.  Squaw was similar, but you could get hired for Patrol first season and they had really cool Iron Crosses on their uniforms.  Squaw was big and intimidating and my ski test went well there too.  I had the right stuff and had another couple of options in my fanny pack.

I was feeling pretty good the day before my ski test in Mammoth.  I had options and knew that my dreams of being a Professional Skier would be realized in the 79/80 season.  It was a sunny Sunday the day prior to my scheduled ski test.  Chair 14 was busy and crowded with a full line.  Rick Meyerhof, Terry Lucian and Sean Plunkett were also signed up to ski test with me the next day.  I had practiced my kick turns and had just enough of a short swing to control myself in the steeps.  Not much else though.  Loading chairs was pretty easy that day.  I felt like a Bartender.  I was listening to the Doobie Brothers on a cassette player, enjoying the sights and sounds of the backside.  I was getting people loaded and sending them up the Mountain with a smile.  The
Doobies had a way of making people smile.  

I noticed that the Ski Patrol Director, Gary Reitman was approaching my chair and it was obvious he was skiing with his wife and kids that afternoon.  I was preparing to give him a smooth load when a third guest came out of nowhere and tried to load the chair with Gary and Jed, his son.  I pulled the chair sideways and sent them all flying forward into the pit.  It was a tangled mess of skiers and embarrassment.  This was the first time Gary ever flared his nostrils at me.  He was pissed off and spitting mad.  Needless to say, I made a great impression upon him.  I was hoping he wouldn’t hold it against me the next day.  

I checked in to the Patrol Room the next morning and was greeted by 3-1 himself.  He took one look at me and said, “Where do I know you from?”  I painfully re introduced myself as a Lift Operator from Chair 14.  He flared nostril at me again, and remarked, “I hope you ski better than you load chairs.”  We were off to a great start.  Rick, Sean, Terry and I all skied well and had competently shown our ski skills to 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4 & 3-5.  We went back to the Patrol Room and filled out some paper work.  Gary was still not impressed with my skills and invited me up to his office for a follow up interview.  Her pulled out a Buck knife and started firing questions and poking his knife into his desk.  It was beyond intimidating and definitely let me know what kind of Boss I would be working for if offered a position. 

The next season, 79/80 was my Rookie year on the Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol.  I wasn’t sure whether I chose the position or it was just meant to be.  Either way, my Rookie year on Patrol was amazing.  It was the most exciting, rewarding and fun year on skis ever.  I learned to ski, patrol and be very humble.  Gary got his chance to flare nostril at me quite a few more times that season.   Lucky for me, I did ski better than I loaded chairs.  Mammoth was the best fit for me and I made the best lifelong friends forever.  I’m so glad I got the opportunity to be one of Reitman’s Rangers and Patrol the slopes of Mammoth Mountain.  I’m so looking forward to the, what’s your 20 Reunion, talking story and celebrating all things Ski Patrol in May.  This ain't gonna be a Poodle Party!