Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Members of the Wintergreen Ski Patrol joined WINA Morning News to celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary and share their passion for safety and community service. The team, comprising over 180 volunteers, ensures the safety of skiers and snowboarders at Wintergreen Resort while embodying a deep sense of camaraderie. 

Sharon Flynn, a patroller in her 7th season, described the group as “a volunteer organization… and we keep the slopes safe up at Wintergreen. We mitigate obstacles and mark off areas of the slope that maybe you shouldn’t be skiing on… and help skiers and snowboarders with accidents.” She emphasized the rewarding nature of their work, which blends hard effort with community impact.

Denika Gumm, a 29-year veteran, shared her inspiration for joining. “I’m a retired schoolteacher and kids would get hurt. At the time, they didn’t have a school nurse… So, I wanted to be able to help my kids at school,” she stated. Adding, “[The Patrol} are a 180-member family. We’re all here for each other. We help each other.”

The organization, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, partners with Wintergreen Resort while raising funds independently. This year’s annual Ski Swap fundraiser, offers gently used winter gear and equipment, and will take place on Black Friday at King Family Vineyards. For details, visit Wintergreenskipatrol.org, and listen here for the full conversation :