What We Do

Our Mission

The Friends of Mt. Ogden (FOMO) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. Our mission is to help provide training, education and support to the outdoor rescue community in the Northern Wasatch, Ogden Valley area.  The goal is to provide opportunities for ski patrollers, dogs and dog handlers to advance their training and education to achieve a higher and more diverse skill set. In addition, we provide aid and support to our rescue community in times of hardship and need.

While the Resorts do provide funds and training for seasonal rescuers, the education and preparation to provide vital first response duties on the mountain is a year-round job. During the “off-season”, rescue professionals attend courses and conferences on weather forecasting, first aid and trauma, rope rescue, avalanche safety, and medical evacuation. For some, the job includes extensive training for avalanche rescue dogs who are then certified to provide rescue support anywhere in Utah and surrounding states. The daily and year-round training for these dogs falls entirely on the owner/handler.  These amazing dogs must be ready to work when the first snowflake of the season falls. 

As rescuers ourselves, we are passionate about keeping people safe, before they need a rescue. We will use our knowledge and experience to create awareness and educate our community on how to safely recreate in the surrounding mountains. This includes basic snow safety and first aid skills.

Advanced training and education can only help to improve our effectiveness as individuals and as a team. Assisting and supporting our teammates through difficult and challenging times is also critical. Without job security and full-benefits, personal or family injuries or illness can cause concern, stress, distraction or the end of a season for a patroller or a dog. As an organization we believe in the importance of the physical and mental well being of our rescue community and will work to provide additional support to our colleagues in moments of hardship. 

While our home resorts provide funds to help with many necessary programs, we believe it is vital to those we protect and rescue to go above and beyond. As professional rescuers, we strive to protect and support others, every single day. By supporting each other, it is our hope that FOMO’s mission of training, education, and support, will help make this happen.

What We’ve Achieved