SOUTH BRISTOL, N.Y. — It’s been a mild winter in much of upstate New York, to say the least. For those who love to hit the ski slopes, it hasn’t been ideal, save for a few good blasts of snow. Ski areas have had to make snow to keep the skiers coming out. The job of keeping skiers safe on the slopes during the winter months takes a year-round commitment.

The kind of day people have waited for since last winter came in the form of a recent overnight snowfall and lots of fresh powder. It's the kind of day that draws big crowds to Bristol Mountain in Ontario County. That means ski people like Jillian Parshall.

“This is perfect today,” said Parshall. “Honestly, I'm so happy to see so many people out here enjoying the weather. We couldn't ask for a more beautiful day.”

Unlike most of the others on the mountain, she’s not out here just for fun. It’s also a big day for the Bristol Mountain Ski Patrol. The ones who keep skiers safe.

“You know our number one goal is to watch the mountain for safety,” she said. “Look for people having a good time, but also making sure that if anybody has an injury we're available to to provide first aid care.”

Bristol Mountain Ski Patrol has 130 members.

“Ski patrollers are ski enthusiasts,” said Scott Shear, who joined the ski patrol in 2009. “We all love the outdoors, we love to ski. Before being patrollers everybody skied. This was a passion for many.”

Ski patrol training is intensive. Certification takes more than a year. Rope management training helps prepare for rescues. Sometimes it’s a skier in over their head on a tough trail. Sometimes it’s an injured skier who may need a ride to the bottom for treatment.

The rewards of the job are paid in service. All ski patrol members are volunteers. As Shear, a retired sheriff’s deputy and investigator says, they are the first responders of the mountain.

“I’ve always lived a life of service,” he said. “I was a volunteer fireman as well, so all those skills come into play here at the mountain.”

Skills that are constantly reinforced to ensure a perfect day on the slopes is a great day for everyone.

“There's a really huge sense of family here,” said Parshall. “There's a lot of camaraderie, and I think being part of the team is really great.”