APP began as a conversation between working patrollers who wanted professional patrol to be trained, tested and respected as a profession. It took two near-failures and a lot of persistence before the first class was certified.
This history is drawn from two accounts by co-founder Bob Shedd: an article he wrote in 1975 and a chapter of his 1995 memoir. The two differ on some dates and counts; where they do, we follow the earlier account and note the range.
“The upgrading and educating of the Professional Ski Patrolman.”
— The association’s stated aim, as recorded by Bob Shedd, 1975
Riding the Skychair at Heavenly Valley, Professional Patrol Leader Lilburn “Jonesy” Jones and his assistant, Bob Shedd, talked about a clinic where professional patrollers could train together and share ideas. The volunteer National Ski Patrol System trained its members well, but most full-time professionals were not part of it. That spring at Mammoth Mountain, Patrol Director John Garner backed the idea.
Bob Shedd, by then Patrol Leader at Mt. Reba in Bear Valley, and his assistant Hugh Campbell attended a professional clinic in Alta, Utah. They came home convinced the West needed its own program — one that included avalanche control work.
Shedd organized a clinic at Mt. Reba. Turnout looked so thin he nearly cancelled until John Garner called and said, “let’s try it.” Twenty-five patrollers came, and the group chose a name: the Far West Professional Ski Patrol Association. A follow-up meeting at Mammoth that spring drew only Shedd himself — and Garner’s answer was, “Let’s try one more time.”
The next spring at Mt. Reba, the first full FWPSPA clinic tested its first candidates. Garner and Shedd wrote the written test and examined the toboggan test; skiing was judged by certified ski instructors. Classes covered first aid, anatomy, weather and snow surveying, with an explosives demonstration and an Avalauncher demonstration by Monty Atwater. By Shedd’s 1975 account, 42 patrollers were certified and 7 rated Associate. APP’s certification numbers C-0001 through C-0042 run alphabetically — consistent with a founding roster of 42.
John Garner was elected President, Bernie Kingery of Alpine Meadows Vice President, and Bob Shedd Secretary/Treasurer. The first board: Bruce Barker, Hugh Campbell, Mike Caprefoli, Ray Carson, John Frenette, Jim Mitchell and Gary Thomas. Shedd designed the oval emblem that became the certification pin and patch. Jim Mitchell drafted the constitution, later approved by the membership.
The spring clinic at Mammoth drew 99 patrollers, with lectures on explosives, anatomy, hypothermia, avalanche forecasting and the psychology of patrolling. That summer the association incorporated and affiliated with the Far West Ski Association.
At Mammoth, with Bernie Kingery in charge of testing, the tests were “becoming better and the judging more uniform.” Chuck Otterson of Sugar Bowl was elected President, John Frenette of Incline Vice President, and Eric Burr of Kirkwood Secretary/Treasurer.
The clinic moved to Alpine Meadows, with 107 attending. Bob Wood led a committee writing the association’s first manual. President Otterson attended the National Ski Areas Association meeting in Coronado to build communication with ski area management. The stated aim: “The upgrading and educating of the Professional Ski Patrolman.”
The Far West Professional Ski Patrol Association became the Association of Professional Patrollers.
Do you hold one of the early certification numbers, or have photographs, certificates or clinic programs from these years? APP is rebuilding its historical record and would like to hear from you. Contact APP.
Bob Shedd, “Organizational Labor Pains, or The Birth of the Far West Professional Ski Patrol Association” (1975).
Bob Shedd, Plan “X” — Skiing: One of My Life’s Great Adventures, Chapter 13, “John Garner and I Form FWPSPA” (1995; proofed, prepared and typeset by Beverly Shedd).
The 1975 article places the founding certification in the spring after the 1969–70 clinic season, with 57 attending and 42 certified; the 1995 memoir places it on May 1, 1970, with 75 attending and 50 certified.
With thanks to David Ritchie, who shared these accounts with APP in 2026 — and who was invited to join the association in 1969.