{"id":243,"date":"2026-02-27T01:06:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T01:06:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stories.j-proj.com\/ottawabelowzero\/?page_id=243"},"modified":"2026-02-27T21:43:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T21:43:23","slug":"camp-fortune-the-heart-of-the-operation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stories.j-proj.com\/ottawabelowzero\/when-accidents-happen-inside-camp-fortunes-ski-patrol\/camp-fortune-the-heart-of-the-operation\/","title":{"rendered":"Camp Fortune: The Heart of the Operation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Skating Around<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Winter Pop-Ups<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Ottawa Below Zero<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Winter Fits<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Cozy Eats<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Learn more about how patrollers help injured skiers<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
A Day with Camp Fortune’s Ski Patrol<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Learn more about Camp Fortune’s patrollers<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
658 words<\/div>\n\n
3\u20134 minutes<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

At Camp Fortune, ski patrollers are a familiar sight. But underneath the helmets, the goggles and the big red jackets is a compassionate team who dedicate themselves to ensuring the safety of skiers on the hills.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a group of 90, a majority of them are volunteers who donate their time on the weekend to help ensure safety on the hill. From tenured patrollers to excited volunteers, these are some of their stories: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geoff Skeggs, Patrol Leader<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lynchpin of the team, Skeggs has decades of experience in ski patrolling.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An avid skier, Skeggs decided to learn first aid after becoming a father, later deciding to join the Canadian Ski Patrol (CSP).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skeggs has patrolled Fortune since 2005. In 2019, he became Patrol Leader, right before the COVID-19 pandemic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe pandemic with masking, restrictions, and curfews was a huge challenge,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With quarantine measures in place, many patrollers left, and visitors stayed home.  However, since then, Skeggs said the team has been rebuilt, and skiers and snowboarders have returned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Despite the challenges, I find it very rewarding. I have a great team and we make it fun,\u201d he said.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen people get older\u202f-\u202fpast their\u202fschool\u202fyears\u202f-\u202fthey\u202fmainly come\u202fto ski but\u202fdon\u2019t\u202fhave friends who want to ski\u202fwith\u202fthem. When you come out to ski patrol,\u202fyou always have someone to ski with,\u201d Skeggs said.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skeggs admits patrolling can be thankless. It’s often unpaid, cold and sometimes stressful. But to him, the patrolling community and the ability to help people make everything worth it.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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