From Slopeside to Bedside

My first real memory of skiing was the Lollipop Races at Cochran’s Ski Area in Richmond, Vermont. We were all little. We’d ski around a few gates, and at the end everyone got a lollipop. I loved it.

As I grew up, I graduated to skiing at Bolton Valley Resort, then Smuggler’s Notch Resort. By the time I got to high school I was an expert skier. I went to St. Lawerence University and after graduation, I took a wilderness first responder course, which I enjoyed. I liked the idea of helping people feel better when they are injured or in a scary environment and need help.

That’s when I decided to start working at Sugarbush as a ski patroller. I could ski all season and help people simultaneously. I really liked that – and the camaraderie of the team.

Now I am a member of the Mount Mansfield Ski Patrol at Stowe Mountain Resort. Once, we got a call about someone injured on the “Waterfall.” It’s a fun run that is a stream bed diversion off the historic Bruce Trail. But it’s not for beginners or, often, even intermediate skiers.

When we got to the top of the trail and looked over the edge, a panda head popped up. It was one of those fuzzy helmet covers. Another skier had tried to go down the Waterfall to help and ended up getting a little stuck themselves. They had both rented skis that day and got them mixed up. After some trial and error, we got the right skis back on the panda and were able to transport the other, injured skier on a toboggan with the help of Stowe Mountain Rescue.

I really like caring for people who are hurting. Making them feel better, feel safe, is a pretty special experience.

It’s similar in the emergency department. I am comfortable in that busy environment the same way I am on the ski hill. I can help care for someone and make them more comfortable. There is also the same camaraderie in emergency medicine. It’s why I decided to go into health care. Skiing taught me how to care for other people.

Jamie Carroll started as an emergency department tech at UVM Medical Center in 2021. He is now in his nursing residency.