Recognizing Excellence
Recognizing exceptional service is a core principle of the National Ski Patrol. Northern Division awards celebrate the dedication, leadership, and outstanding contributions of our patrollers and patrols.
Browse division awards and eligibility criteria. Submit your nominations online for instant routing to the Awards Advisor.
Northern Division awards
Division
Considered the most prestigious award in the Northern Division, this honor recognizes long-serving members with exceptional instructional service. Nominees must hold a National Appointment, have 25+ years of patrol service, and show continued dedication as an instructor.
Nominate online →Division
Honors the legacy of Dwight Chambers by recognizing outstanding service, dedication, and leadership in younger patrollers. Awarded to a member who demonstrates exceptional commitment to their local patrol, region, or the Northern Division.
Nominate online →Division
Nominate an OEC Instructor who leads with innovation and excellence in first responder education. Established to honor Dr. Warren Bowman's transformative service to the NSP and Northern Division.
Nominate online →Division
Honors members of the U.S. Armed Forces within the Northern Division whose military and patrol service both reflect the NSP creed of Service and Safety. Established in 2014 to recognize active and veteran service members in the National Ski Patrol.
Nominate online →National awards
National
The National Outstanding Patroller of the Year Awards recognize individual NSP members for exceptional service, leadership, instruction, organizational support, community involvement, and contributions to outdoor recreation and safety. Nominees compete within a specific volunteer, paid, or instructor category, with accomplishments evaluated primarily from the current season and three prior seasons.
National
The Meritorious Service Award recognizes a National Ski Patrol member for exceptional contributions, leadership, or meritorious service to the organization. The award may recognize service performed for a specific Region or Division over a documented period of time. The nomination includes certificate wording describing the meritorious service and a Sponsor’s Recommendation emphasizing the nominee’s exceptional contributions and leadership.
National
The National Ski Patrol Hall of Fame honors individuals whose lifetime of dedication, leadership, service, instruction, achievements, and significant contributions have made a substantial and lasting impact on the National Ski Patrol. Established in 2013 as part of NSP’s 75th Anniversary Celebration, this prestigious recognition celebrates those whose accomplishments have positively shaped the organization and exemplify an extraordinary commitment to NSP and its mission.
National
The Minnie Dole Award is one of the National Ski Patrol’s rarest and most distinguished honors, recognizing an exceptional member whose many years of service exemplify the dedication, devotion, and self-sacrifice of NSP founder Charles Minot “Minnie” Dole. The award honors individuals who have demonstrated sustained leadership, an extraordinary commitment to NSP, and significant contributions or programs that have made a lasting positive impact on the organization as a whole.
National
Patrollers Cross may be awarded to a patroller who is seriously injured while preforming ski patrol duties.
National
The National Appointment, is one of the National Ski Patrol’s highest honors, recognizing senior-level patrollers who have demonstrated long-term, distinguished service and exceptional dedication to NSP. Recipients exemplify leadership, sound judgment, strong character, and an enduring commitment to serving the organization and its members. This prestigious recognition honors individuals whose contributions and service have made a meaningful and lasting impact on the National Ski Patrol.
Nominate online →National
The Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual or organization for exceptional contributions, leadership, or support benefiting the National Ski Patrol. For an NSP member, the nomination documents the individual’s NSP service, leadership positions, committee assignments, patrol activities, awards, and educational involvement. For a non-NSP organization, the nomination focuses on the organization’s background, history, and support of the NSP
Nominate online →National
The Yellow Merit Star recognizes NSP members for significant contributions that support a lifesaving incident, outstanding service at the national level, or exceptional activities that benefit the NSP beyond normal patrol duties and responsibilities. The award can recognize both incident-related support and broader contributions to the organization.
Nominate online →National
The Purple Merit Star may be awarded to the leader or leaders of a successful lifesaving incident in which a patroller’s intervention directly saved a patient’s life. The award recognizes lifesaving actions performed independently of the direction of another responding agency, such as EMS.
Nominate online →National
The Blue Merit Star recognizes members who provide meaningful, hands-on assistance during a lifesaving incident. It may be awarded to members who support a Purple Merit Star recipient during a successful lifesaving incident or to members who provide hands-on lifesaving care during an unsuccessful incident in which the patient does not survive for at least 24 hours.
Nominate online →National
The Green Merit Star is a rare NSP award recognizing a member who places themselves at significant personal risk of injury while assisting or rescuing another person. It is intended for exceptional actions performed under dangerous conditions.
Nominate online →National
The National Outstanding Patrol or Host Unit of the Year Award recognizes an NSP Patrol or Host Unit that has demonstrated exceptional organization, training, leadership, community service, and overall performance. The nomination focuses on accomplishments during the current season and three prior seasons and highlights what elevates the unit above others, including innovation, overcoming unusual hardships, service beyond normal responsibilities, and contributions to the public and local community.
Nominate online →National
A national honor for members who have provided distinguished leadership over time.
Nominate online →Reference documents
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