The Snow Pack

At Mountain High Resort at Wrightwood, El Nino has increased the snowfall, new ownership has cranked up the marketing, and more than twice as many people have gone skiing this season than last, spokesman Brad Wilson says. And that means the Ski Patrol has to deal with more bumps, bruises and broken bones. More than 100 professionals and volunteers help the injured down the mountain, in all kinds of weather and terrain. Kyle Smith, top, tests the landing on a jump, and Shane Littlefield, above, patrols the slopes. Josh Elliott, near right, helps injured skier Judy Rodriguez of Long Beach, who hurt her knee. Jason Kincaid, below, brings down a skier who hit a tree and suffered a minor leg injury. Below right, Littlefield and Elliott ride the chairlift while on patrol.