When Steve Fairhall became a ski patroller at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area in high school, it just seemed like a fun thing to do. But it wasn’t long before keeping people safe on the hills became his full-time job.

Fairhall first joined the ski patrol almost 20 years ago. “My friends were doing it, and it meant free skiing,” he says. “That first year I spent 63 days on the hill, and I was still going to school. I was there every weekend and every holiday. I just loved it.”

After a few years away, studying music at the University of Guelph, Fairhall decided to join the ski patrol again in 1993. Then, in January 1994, a paid position came open. “I’ve been there ever since,” he says with his characteristic smile.

Seven years ago, Fairhall was promoted to ski patrol supervisor. He is also an instructor and examiner of potential patrol candidates with the Canadian Ski Patrol System, which involves both first aid and on-hill training.

At Hidden Valley, Fairhall is responsible for lift evacuation training for everyone, the volunteer patrol, accident investigation paperwork and scheduling, among other things.

Each day he begins by sweeping the hills for dangers and obstacles. Then, he continues skiing with an eye on changing conditions, problems with signs or bamboo poles, and risky visitor behaviour.

“I want to be proactive in safety at the Valley,” he says. “Preventing an injury is nicer than having to pick somebody up after they’re injured.”

Fairhall says since he began ski patrolling, the industry has changed from a take-care-of-yourself mentality to a if-something-happens-it’s-somebody-else’s-fault mentality.  

The ski patrol itself has also changed. “There are more people now,” he explains, “and it’s not as strict. You don’t have to do as many days, and now, with night skiing as well, the group isn’t as close. You don’t always see other patrollers as much.”

Despite this, Fairhall still loves his job. In December each year he organizes equipment, does maintenance and upgrades on equipment and gets Hidden Valley ready by putting up tower pads and signs. When the season wraps up in March, he turns his attention to his off-season maintenance and landscaping business.

While his jobs year-round keep him physically active, sports are also an important part of Fairhall’s life.

He has played soccer since the age of six and joins his friends at the Huntsville Soccer Club adult intramural league twice a week. He also coached an under-19 house league team until last summer.

In winter, Fairhall plays hockey two times a week. He took up the sport at age 25. “I had always loved hockey, and I went with friends a few times,” he says. “Then I saw a notice in the newspaper that said, ‘Wanted: Crappy hockey players.’ A couple of guys were putting together a league in Baysville.”

About 25 would-be players showed up, and the league existed for a couple of years before changing to shinny. Since then, Fairhall says with a laugh, the level of play has risen drastically. “It’s fun. Six or seven guys from Hidden Valley go play together,” he adds.

Fairhall and his wife Kim are also busy parents of Jacob, who’s almost two and a half, and Malcolm, age seven months.

“I play the guitar and sing to Jacob every night before he goes to sleep,” he says, adding that his son has recently discovered the drums and enjoys exploring different sounds and rhythms.

Although the Fairhalls have only been parents for a short while, they’ve had lots of practice. Starting in 1998, they hosted about 10 international students in their home. Two stayed for an entire year each, one for six months, one for five months, and the others for a few weeks at a time.

“It was a good experience. We may do it again someday,” Fairhall says. He flashes another smile. “Anyway, we’re completely ready for when the boys become teenagers!”

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