Class of 2023
Innovator and Leader in West Virginia Snow Sports
Ski Patrol
David Cline
When you mention the name Dave Cline, it is synonymous with Ski Patrolling and Resort safety in West Virginia. Over the years, Dave has introduced, trained, coached, positively impacted, and gotten to know just about every ski patroller in the state! Well, maybe not everyone, but just about... As a long-standing fixture at Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Dave was an early recipient of a National Ski Patrol Appointment award (A National Number). This award is presented to an individual who has served beyond the patrol level, demonstrated exemplary leadership, good character, diplomacy, a positive attitude, good judgment, and extraordinary service to the National Ski Patrol.
To be bestowed with this high honor, a patroller must be nominated by members who have already received an Appointment. The Appointment should be overdue rather than premature, and tenure alone is never an adequate criterion. “The Appointment is not intended to be a retirement award” … thank goodness Dave did not retire and has been actively patrolling and contributing since 1979 Snowshoe’s early beginnings.
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Dave has filled many roles and made several contributions over the years, including: Basic Ski & Toboggan Handling, instructor and examiner for Snowshoe, Chief Examiner for WV Region - Ski and Toboggan Handling, Senior program Instructor and Examiner, patroller orientation, recruitment events member, lift evacuation training team, Snowshoe’s Ski Safety Awareness and Enforcement
Training Team, National Ski Area’s Association representative, Snowshoe Safety Awareness Week and Events Team. Dave assisted in the development of policies and procedures for winter and summer daily operations including mountain opening, closing, lift evacuation, skier safety, and patroller quality assurance programs.
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David is a longtime member of the Resort’s bike patrol and Summer Events Team. He is always fixing or building something for the patrol and helping create ways to enhance the skier experience through safety initiatives.
Along with Dave's passion for guest safety and Mountain Operations, Dave has provided lodging at the “Rustic County Line Cabin” for ski industry professionals from West Virginia, the South, and all over the East Coast as they have traveled to Snowshoe for industry clinic’s, exam’s, promotional events, or just a day of skiing.
He has served his local community as a Scout Leader, Volunteer Firefighter, Fire Service Instructor, EMT, City Councilman, County Commissioner. He is the Chairman of the Rail Trail Committee of the Parks and Recreation’s Panhandle Rail Trail and the Great American Rail Trail.