How PLU Students Helped a Ski Patrol Go Digital

Picture trying to organize 160 people for volunteer shifts using nothing but paper and spreadsheets. Total chaos, right? That’s what the White Pass Ski Patrol was dealing with until a group of PLU computer science students jumped in to help.

As part of a summer project, PLU students Stacie Spahr ’25 and Andrew Lee ’26 (with a couple of high school students and mentor support) built an app that makes scheduling way easier for the volunteers who help keep the mountain safe. Now, ski patrol uses the app to sign up for shifts, check in, and track their hours — all from a simple digital system.

“It was super rewarding seeing people actually use something we built,” Stacie said. Andrew agreed, adding that turning a complicated, old-school system into an app was definitely a challenge but one that paid off.

The project was part of a real-world learning experience at PLU, where students get the chance to work alongside professors and industry pros. “It was a rewarding challenge and a great addition to my resume,” Andrew shared.

Now, the ski patrol team has a tool that keeps things organized and helps the team focus on what really matters: keeping skiers safe.