The Ski Podcast1 Aug 2025

Flashback: How to become a Ski Patroller in France

In this special ‘Flashback’ episode, Iain speaks with Tom Greenall, one of the few British members of the ski patrol in France.

Tom explains the long journey he had to go through to qualify as a ‘pisteur’ (ski patroller in France), starting off with racing against 11-year-olds (having had some training from Glenn Plake!) to learning how to ski with a blood wagon in his hands.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
If you want to help The Ski Podcast and save yourself some money this winter…just use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book your ski hire at intersportrent.com.

That applies to any ski hire booked in their massive network across France, Austria and Switzerland. You’ll get a guaranteed additional discount, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied.

SHOW NOTES

Tom Greenall is founder of Idris Skis
He ran a cat skiing operation in Japan for three years
The first qualification required to become a ski patroller is a Fleche Vermillion
Glen Plake has been coming to Chamonix since 1987
Tom passed the Test Technique on his fourth attempt at Puy St Vincent
‘Premiere Secours Equipe Niveau 1 & 2’ is the rescue industry first aid course
Tom’s Pisteur Course cost €3000 and took place in Les Orres
The course included knowledge of middle mountain environment; weather and snow awareness; Rules and Regulations; taking the PSE2 first aid to the ski patrol environment; sled (‘bloodwagon’ practice); avalanche practice
The course concluded with exams on rescue sleds; an avalanche beeper search; and first aid cases
Listen to our interview with the producers of ‘Ski A&E’ in Val Thorens in Episode 43

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Don’t forget that if you want to help The Ski Podcast and save yourself some money…all you need to do is to use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book your ski hire at intersportrent.com.

So simply use that code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied.

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