How the North American Police Ski and Snowboard Championship Began

Provided by The North American Police Ski and Snowboard Championship

by Kurt Erickson of the Orono Police Department, Minn. (ret.)

The North American Police Ski and Snowboard Championship (NAPSC) started 29 years ago and is a 501C3 tax deductible nonprofit. NAPSC is operated by an all-volunteer staff of retired and current officers. It was the idea of several law enforcement officers from around the country that shared a love for mountain skiing. Bob Hislop, United States Secret Service and Mark Spray, Boulder County PD were the original driving force along with Richie Herr, Toms River, NJ, PD and Gaylord Gladwin, Minneapolis, MN, PD and several others. Through their stewardship, the group came together and had a very successful event in Crested Butte, Colorado in 1990. Originally the focus was on two “C’s” - Competition and Camaraderie.

During that first event the Crested Butte Bank exploded from a gas leak. Several people were killed. This opened the door to adding the third “C” - Charity. The NAPSC group passed the hat at the final banquet and several thousand dollars were raised and donated to the town’s fund for the families of victims of the explosion. Donations were used to establish a scholarship fund which continues to operate today.

The charitable NAPSC effort set the stage for Winter Special Olympics to be designated as NAPSC’s primary charity. Since that time, NAPSC has raised over $900,000 for the Winter Special Olympics. After 9/11 NAPSC created the Twin Towers Initiative to honor the officers who gave their lives that day. $60,000 was donated for the construction of the National Law Enforcement Memorial Museum and checks were also given to each of the 72 families who suffered a loss. To date the NAPSC donations are now exceeding over $1,000,000.

The Hoboken, NJ PD self-published a police department cookbook and along with several other ventures, brought in $10,000 one year. For a number of years the team from the Coral Gables, FL PD has raised and donated $10,000 each year.

During one of the cocktail parties, a live auction is held with donated items, such as full ski packages, vacations at golf and ski resorts, jackets, shirts, coffee mugs, and more. Last year, the Australian Police Ski Team helped raise almost $10,000 through the donation of Australian Police Ski Team jackets and team shirts. Another hot auction item is the Metro London Police helmets. All money raised goes to support the winter sport programs of Special Olympics, in the name of NAPSC.

NAPSC has skiers and snowboarders from Great Britain, Australia, Germany, Austria, Canada, and other countries. Local participants come from many different state and federal agencies, including the Secret Service, FBI, Border Patrol, and U.S. Marshals. Small local PD’s and sheriff offices are represented up to the NYPD. All active and honorably retired law enforcement officers and their invited guests are welcome to attend.

The event is structured to allow a half day of free skiing along with a half day of racing. The beginner and intermediate level skiers participate on a friendly level. However, the advanced group starts to show a bit more of an aggressive edge. The expert level will see some participants out taking the snow temperature just before race time and adjusting waxing and ski type to best suit the condition. No matter the ability level, all have great fun and enjoy the skiing.

The event includes a training day, seed/ranking, slalom, Super G, and Giant Slalom. Ranking day helps insure a participant is placed with skiers of similar ability, gender and within 5 year age brackets resulting in competitive races. During all on hill racing and practice events, ski helmets are required.

Skiers and snow boarders are welcome to participate in all races, but are not required to. Some participants join in only one or two races, while others prefer to free ski all day. All registered skiers and guest’s, whether or not you choose to race, are welcome to join the after ski parties and/or the mountain lunches.

The NAPSC registration fee includes several on-mountain lunches, all race events, 5 day lift tickets, several cocktail parties, and a final banquet. All this and more for just $460. John Paul DeJoria, Chairman of Paul Mitchell Hair Care Products and Patron Tequila is the title sponsor. Udderly Smooth Hand Creams, Hewlett Packard, Law Enforcement Product News, and a number of others sponsors help keep participation fees reasonable for the average law enforcement officer.

The block of rooms reserved at a contracted discount through Wildwood Hotel, book quickly. To ensure the discounted rate you should reserve a room soon. Discounted lift tickets are available 3 days prior and post the event dates for those who wish to extend their vacation.

This year’s event is at Snowmass, Colorado, from March 3 to March 10, 2018. Snowmass is 10 miles from Aspen, Colorado. The Snowmass/Aspen area offers free bus transportation. The Snowmass lift ticket is issued by the Aspen Skiing Company and is valid at Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk ski areas. Snowmass itself has four different mountain areas interlinked by ski runs and lifts. There are days where you can literally ski above the clouds and drop down through the cloud bank to reach Snowmass Village.

The age of the core group of NAPSC skiers is getting older, with many now retired. NAPSC is hopeful that a cadre of younger officers will checkout NAPSC and realize the great time that can be had at a substantial discount off the normal mountain skiing rates. NAPSC is hoping to find a new generation to carry on the 29 years and counting that NAPSC has enjoyed. If any of this is of interest, get off your “kiesters” and get out SKIING or BOARDING with NAPSC. All of NAPSC hope’s to see you in Snowmass on March 3, 2018.

NAPSC is always looking for more donors willing to contribute to Special Olympics through NAPSC or interested in sponsoring the NAPSC organization. Contact NAPSC for more information at www.napsc.org or Richie Herr, NAPSC Chairman, at [email protected].