Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol
The Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol provides information and assistance for backcountry travelers in the Tahoe National Forest and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, TBSP also provides community education, basic and advanced avalanche and mountain travel/rescue training for ski patrollers, and winter Search and Rescue services in Northern California. Join us on patrol!
Who We Are
Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol is a group of volunteers dedicated to helping make the Tahoe backcountry safer for everyone. We are all members of the National Ski Patrol, but instead of ski areas we patrol the public lands around Lake Tahoe and Truckee. We train all our members in emergency medicine, winter travel/survival, and search and rescue skills. There are currently over 50 skiers/riders on the patrol ranging in age from early 20s to early 60s and in ski ability from advanced intermediate to jaw-dropping rippers. TBSP patrollers get around on telemark or randonnee gear and on split-boards. We ski the backcountry together in groups of 3 or more every winter weekend from December to mid-April and respond to emergency calls via Forest Service dispatch.
Joining the Patrol
Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol is always looking for dedicated and enthusiastic winter backcountry lovers to join the patrol. TBSP is in search of folks willing to learn a new set of skills or two, while spending their weekends serving skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers that venture out into the mountains north of Tahoe. We invite anyone interested in learning more about the backcountry ski patrol to schedule a ski-along this season. Keep an eye out for our trailhead signs and white crosses the next time you're out earning your turns!
Where We Patrol
Most of our patrolling takes place in California's Tahoe National Forest, specifically in the sizeable Castle Peak area north of Donner Summit and on the Pacific Crest Trail. It's the most popular destination that we patrol, not just among backcountry skiers and snowboarders, but also a fair share of snowshoe enthusiasts, whom we often encounter in sizeable groups out for the day or for a winter camp. Other Tahoe Forest destinations are various corniced ridges and traverses adjacent to the popular local ski resorts of Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, and Sugar Bowl. Our other primary patrol destination is Nevada's Tahoe Meadows area and its neighboring wilderness zones near Mount Rose, perched high above Incline Village with breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe. Our Forest Service agreements have us patrolling more than 40 weekend days per season.
Contact the Patrol
Want more information about the patrol? See you in the Backcountry!
Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol
Contact us today to schedule a ski along, the best way to learn more about the patrol.
USDA Forest Service
TBSP operates under the USDA Forest Service within the Tahoe National Forest and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
National Ski Patrol
Training and certification to the standards of the National Ski Patrol. All TBSP members are also NSP members, working closely with the organization at the Region and Divison levels.