Because of the difficult weather and ground conditions, not all members may be called for winter missions in the mountains. All members must be equipped to handle the cold and problems of search and rescue calls, but only those who have acquired the additional clothing gear and have had special training are called for extremely cold winter mountain operations.

The winter team is trained in avalanche rescue operations (many to the “Advanced Avalanche” level), winter technical systems, self arrest, Thompson Litter (toboggan) handling, and winter overnight survival.