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A member of the Wild Mountain Ski Patrol was recently recognized for giving 50 years of time and energy to the legacy  volunteer organization. 

Joann Kuntemeier didn’t even start skiing until she was 21-years-old, she told the Press,  but from that first lesson she was hooked. Just imagine how many more years would be on her resume,  if she’d begun skiing at an even younger age. 

The Taylors Falls resident  jokes that she only considered joining the National Ski Patrol because she’d be able to “ski free.”  Which wasn’t exactly truth in advertising, because patrol participants supply skiing equipment, their own First Aid pack, and membership in the organization requires dues.

But once you clear through the training and are accepted, you are allowed to ski whenever you want, as much as you want, after you cover your weekly scheduled patrol shift.

Joann wouldn’t trade her ski patrol involvement for anything. She found a community on the slopes from the outset,  at Como Park where she started skiing and at Wild, where she would hit the hills while visiting grandparents, prior to relocating to Taylors Falls.

The National Ski Patrol office also presented her with a lifetime membership this year (no more dues.) 

In 2022 Kuntemeier was also named a regional and divisional Outstanding Patroller. 

 This all makes for a nice transitioning out of active patrol;  and she says she looks forward to acting as a support person lending a hand with training, maintaining supplies and related off-slope details.  As a winner of an outstanding first aid instructor award and a distinguished service honoree  Joann will certainly be a most valued volunteer— just not on the slope at Wild Mountain.

The national ski patrol has a “festival” scheduled at the Taylors Falls ski area next week, December 1 through 3, which is an annual alpine skills development workshop.  Another regional weekend is slated for Harbor Springs Michigan Dec 8-10.  

There are 10 geographic regional divisions. (See central area above.)

The National Ski Patrol was formed in 1938.  It is now a year-round endeavor with ski areas expanding into mountain biking and warm weather recreation.  

Its motto is “Service and Safety” and there are groups in the US, Canada, Europe and Asia.  It is a 501C3 non-profit and has 31,000 members. Headquarters are in Lakewood Colorado.

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