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Between the snowy peaks of the Gatineau Hills and the dense forest that surrounds them, a small team in red jackets moves with quiet purpose.
At Camp Fortune, where thousands carve down the slopes each winter, ski patrollers are the ones scanning every run, clearing every hazard, and stepping in when a rider’s day takes a sudden turn.
Camp Fortune may be known for its exhilarating terrain and deep roots in Canadian ski culture, but behind the scenes is a crew defined by readiness and care. They’re the first to respond, the last to leave, and the reason so many visitors feel safe on the hill.
Dive in to explore the daily patrolling operations on the hill:
Camp Fortune Quick Facts
- The patrol at Camp Fortune is part of the Canadian Ski Patrol (www.skipatrol.ca). They are a national volunteer organization of more than 4,500 members assigned to the Gatineau Zone (www.skipatrol.ca/gatineau) of the Quebec Division of the CSP.
- The team consists of 90 patrollers. About 60 are volunteer and 30 are paid. The volunteer team works Saturdays and Sundays, while a paid team handles duties Monday to Friday and seven nights per week.
- There are more than 300 members in the Gatineau Zone assigned to nine local alpine areas and one Nordic area.
- The Gatineau Zone Ski Patrol helps provide safety services year-round. In the summer, they are the “principal safety partner” to TD Place (Redblacks, BlackJacks, Atlético, Rapids, Charge) and the safety team at Bluesfest, CityFolk, Army Run, Ottawa Race Weekend and Ironman.
- The Skyline area of Fortune has one ski lift overseen by four patrollers, while Valley has three lifts overseen by six patrollers.
- Becoming a ski patroller is no easy feat. Applicants must successfully pass an 80-hour hybrid course and complete annual recertifications.