Marble Mountain has ended its volunteer ski patrol program, but won't say why

A province-owned ski resort in western Newfoundland has axed a longstanding volunteer ski patrol program, but management won't say why they're now barring members of the Canadian Ski Patrol from the slopes this upcoming season.

Marble Mountain Ski Resort in Steady Brook has partnered with the volunteer safety group since the 1960s, and its volunteers say they're dismayed by the decision.

"There was a lot of disappointment," said Meaghan Kells, Atlantic president of the Canadian Ski Patrol.

"Our patrollers have put their hard work and extreme dedication into this mountain,"

Kells says discussions with staff at Marble Mountain started this summer, with proposed changes to how the ski patrol would operate at the mountain. Kells says after lengthy discussions, the resort terminated their partnership.

The Marble Mountain Development Corporation will not talk about the termination, only telling CBC News that safety services will be provided solely by paid employees 

The Canadian Ski Patrol is a nonprofit organization that trains volunteer ski patrollers in advanced first aid and snow skills, to protect skiers and snow boarders while they're on the hill.

Volunteer ski patrollers have worked on the hill for decades, and their training is standardized and accredited by WorkplaceNL.

Kells now wonders what will become of the all the safety equipment, purchased through community fundraising, that patrollers would use and carry with them while volunteering.

She says Marble Mountain may have to purchase it.

WATCH | They were volunteers and by all accounts successful, but the ski patrol is no more: 

After half a century, Marble Mountain cuts ties with its volunteer ski patrol

1 month ago

Duration 2:00

No one at Marble Mountain will say why the decision is being made now to sever the partnership with the Canadian Ski Patrol — much to the disappointment of the patrol’s members. The CBC’s Colleen Connors explains the safety measures that will be in effect when the hill opens.

"All the equipment is owned at a national level. And needs to be disposed of or transferred in accordance with national policies and procedures, and that's to ensure we stay on side of regulations and laws that govern our organization," she said. 

"We are in preliminary discussions with Marble Mountain about equipment going forward for the season."

Marble's dismissal of its volunteer patrol comes weeks after the province issued a new request for expressions of interest in the hill in a search for an outside buyer.

The resort has been plagued in recent years by delayed openings and prolonged closures due to warm temperatures and rain.

Kells says despite this season's dismissal, the Canadian Ski Patrol will consider working with the mountain in years to come.

"If Marble Mountain does wish to revisit a partnership with the Canadian Ski Patrol, we stand ready to re-engage with those discussions," she said.

"We wish Marble Mountain all the best in their endeavours."

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