Ski Patrol Phone Number

On an early morning trip on a windy stretch of road somewhere in the Cascades, the car in front of us suddenly veered off the road and landed upside down in the brush about 50’ down a heavily wooded embankment. We stopped, and I grabbed the cell to get 911 out there while David headed down to help whoever was in the car in whatever way he could.

Up on the road--where there was cell reception--I got the 911 dispatcher on the phone and explained the situation. I gave her detailed instructions on how to get to the location based on where I knew we were on the roads (e.g., ¾ mile north from the intersection of blah and blah heading north on blah, blah, blah towards the town of blah…). The woman at dispatch asked for an address. I explained to her that we were on a county road in the mountains –I could give her directions based on where I knew we were, but, I couldn’t give her an address…there are no houses on that stretch of road…no addresses. She insisted that she needed an address before she could do anything. I again explained to her that I could not give her an address—even if there had been any addresses nearby, I wouldn’t have known them since I’m not that familiar with the area. She again reiterated that she could not do anything unless I could provide her with an address. At about this point, a local area resident pulled up who was able to get through to someone else at 911 on his phone and get someone dispatched.

Now, I’m envisioning being stuck up to my neck in the snow…just able to reach my cell phone …calling 911 on my speed dial and…”Mam…I’m sorry I can’t help you if you can’t give me an address.”

I’m planning on updating my cell phone to include the local numbers.

Happy Ending – no one appears to have been seriously hurt…that’s a whole ‘nuther story.

I usually ski at Alpental, but I couldn't find the ski patrol phone number anywhere, anyone know what that number is?

The number posted on the sign when you skin up the road towards Source Lake is 425 434-7669. These signs look pretty old and I've never used the numbers but I snaped the pics on my way out on a solo tour one day.

Thanks for those number BobS. However I'm not sure that would be the best number to call in case of an emergency. That happens to be the general number of all of the Summit at Snoqualmie guest services. Then the extension (I assume) is for Alpental Ski Patrol. Based on the discussion in this thread, it looks like Crystal is the only area set up to receive emergency phone calls direct to their ski patrol, at any other area the best course of action might be to call 911.

In the case of the skier who was in an accident that I referenced earlier, here is the rest of the story from my friend:

the fellow who had the accident hit a patch of ice that wasn't there the day before, broke his collar bone, 3 ribs and tore his lung; I know it was incredibly helpful in his instance that the ski patrol was easily accessible with their number available to skiers

A few more:


Whatcom County Sheriff     360-676-6911

Whistler Search & Rescue     604-932-2328


South America:

Mexico     066, 060, or 080

Argentina 101 107 100 911

Bolivia 110 118 119

Brazil 190 192 193

Chile 133 131 132

Colombia    112 or 123, also 156, 132, 119

Ecuador   911

Paraguay      911

Peru 105 117 116

Uruguay    911

Venezuela 171


Europe:

Austria     112, 140

Europe      112 (same for Russia, Kazakhstan and more)

Germany     112, 110, possibly 19222

Italy     118

Switzerland     112,     Helicopter air rescue 1414

UK     999  (same for Ireland, Poland, where it works parallel to 112)


Other:

New Zealand     111 ,  (112, 911 and 08 also work).     NZSAR (04) 439 9045

Australia      000

Then the extension (I assume) is for Alpental Ski Patrol.

Based on the discussion in this thread, it looks like Crystal is the only area set up to receive emergency phone calls direct to their ski patrol, at any other area the best course of action might be to call 911.

I don't think that extension will get you anybody at Alpental.

If you are at a ski area it may be better to have someone go to the nearest lift so the operator can contact the patrol. Calling 911 while you are on the hill for a injury the patrol could treat also strains scarce resources that are available.

If you are at a ski area it may be better to have someone go to the nearest lift so the operator can contact the patrol. Calling 911 while you are on the hill for a injury the patrol could treat also strains scarce resources that are available.

I guess I was considering that worst case scenario, where you are skiing by yourself and take a bad enough fall to put yourself in a scenario like the person I previously described (broken collar bone, 3 broken ribs, and a torn lung), and you are unable to get yourself to the nearest chair lift.

At Alpental, the best course of action would be to dial 911 if you have a cell phone, otherwise scream like hell and hope someone finds you.