Love of skiing led Oak Park man to mountain patrol

Alan Roll Longtime Mountain High skiers might recognize Alan Roll. For 30 years the Oak Park man has made sure that skiers are safe at the Wrightwood resort. Roll spends at least a dozen days each winter season as a volunteer ski patrol.

Dressed in his patrol uniform, a red jacket emblazoned with a white cross, the 53-year-old skis the mountain searching for potential hazards and ensuring that the terrain is safe, that signs and fences are where they should be and that the lift is operating properly. Warm days mean melting snow, which can create dangerous ski conditions; snowfall can cause an avalanche. Patrols carry radios and telephones so they can get to an emergency quickly.

"We monitor the snow consistency, depth and adhesion," Roll said.

When it appears like an avalanche may occur in the area of a particular run, patrols close the area then ski it to trigger the avalanche.

"There are certain ways you do a ski cut," Roll said. "Sometimes it's too dangerous and we just close the run or the area."

In February 1990, Roll was among a team of patrols called by the National Forest Service to rescue a girl trapped in an avalanche near Jackson Lake. It was snowing hard. A group of high school students on a retreat had been playing in the snow when they were buried by an avalanche. They were able to help pull each other out but couldn't find one girl.

"Unless you're properly prepared, survival is not that common once you're buried in an avalanche," Roll said.

Roll was able to help save the girl. For his effort, he was awarded a purple merit star, the National Ski Patrol's highest service award, given to members who are directly responsible for saving someone's life.

Roll has been skiing since he was 9 years old and went on a family ski trip to Canada. As a young adult he met several ski patrol volunteers at an American Red Cross first aid class. He spent a day on the mountain with one of the volunteers and was hooked.

"Skiing is expensive, and I was not doing too much of it. I thought, 'Well, this ties together everything nicely,'" Roll said. "The people are a very diverse, interesting group who are interested in being outdoors, helping others and skiing."

On ski patrol days, Roll leaves his Oak Park home at 5 a.m. to arrive at Mountain High by 7 a.m., an hour before the ski runs open to the public. He stays until 4 p.m., when the next patrol shift begins.

"You do get a lot of exercise, have to be in good shape going up and down the mountain," Roll said. "I've always loved being outdoors in the mountains."

At Mountain High, paid ski patrol members fill in on weekdays and nights when volunteers are unavailable. Volunteers must be 18 years old, work a minimum of 12 days per season, attend two training sessions and know first aid.

Roll has undergone extensive training in first aid, emergency care, toboggan handling, mountain rescue and avalanche work. He has served as a patrol instructor as well.

"Alan has always been one of the top-notch guys we have on patrol and was one of my mentors when I started," said Don Harris, Southern California ski patrol representative and Mountain High patrol director. "I credit him with saving people's lives because of his knowledge."

Several years ago, Roll was awarded a National Appointment by the National Ski Patrol. The recognition is given to patrol members who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and have served at least eight years. Only 40 such awards have been given in California and Nevada.

"This is a great honor within the NSP, as not only are the qualifications significant, but, more importantly, it requires one's peers to do a lot of work through the application process and is therefore indicative of peer appreciation," Roll said.

During the week Roll works as a program manager for an aerospace company.

"One of the joys in patrolling is that it's a whole different atmosphere, being out there helping people directly and getting direct feedback," Roll said. "It's very satisfying, and people are appreciative for the most part."

To volunteer, visit the website www.socalnsp.com.