Assessor Resource

SISOSKT410A
Guide overnight ski tours

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to those working as ski touring guides who conduct overnight ski touring trips and activities in a variety of non-patrolled conditions.

This unit apples to ski tour leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers, volunteer groups, not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to guide participants on overnight ski tours. This unit focuses on the application of planning skills to make suitable arrangements to lead groups in overnight ski touring activities.

No licensing, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Nil

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

plans within activity constraints and guides and monitors groups in a safe and professional manner

applies contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that may arise during ski touring trips

encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure the safe guiding of groups in overnight ski touring activities in suitable snowsport areas that are appropriate to the needs and characteristics of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a suitable snowsport area to guide groups in multiple overnight ski touring activities

participants to take part in the overnight ski touring trip

ski touring, safety, first aid, rescue, repair, navigation, overnight and communication equipment

resources and information regarding participants and location to plan, guide and document overnight ski touring activities for a variety of participants.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of interaction with a group of participants, including conveying information for safe participation

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all overnight ski touring activities

observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure

review of overnight ski touring trip plans

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

Industry has determined that this unit must be assessed with the following unit:

SISONAV302A Apply navigation skills in an intermediate environment

SISOSKT303A Day ski tour away from a patrolled area

SISOSKT305A Apply snowcraft skills for day touring.

Guidance information for assessment

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

consult with participants to plan an overnight ski touring trip that meets their needs

convey information about the safety aspects of the trip

interact with participants to create a safe and positive ski touring environment

problem-solving skills to:

plan a suitable overnight ski touring trip according to participant's needs and abilities

make decisions about potential hazards that may affect activities

respond to non-routine situations

planning and organising skills to:

source, allocate and coordinate resources, equipment and a suitable location

organise participants into manageable groups for ski touring

language and literacy skills to:

produce a plan for the overnight ski touring trip

complete post activity participant and self evaluations

numeracy skills to plan routes and calculate grid and magnetic bearings using a map and compass

personal ski touring skills to a high level of technical correctness to demonstrate and explain techniques to participants

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all activities performed during overnight ski touring activities

Alpine Responsibility Code and skiing practices, snowsport area signs and regulations, and minimal impact codes to ensure safety and protection of environment

location specific information to assist in the planning process and enable management of potential overnight ski touring hazards, and any special restrictions applying to the area

equipment types, characteristics and technology used for ski touring and camping, the advantages and disadvantages, and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment

clothing requirements for outdoor activities and factors affecting appropriate clothing selection, such as layering and protective clothing

use, care and maintenance of skiing and camping equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements

principles of nutrition to maintain health and energy during the overnight ski touring trip

ski touring skills and common communication methods used between skiers

technical ski touring knowledge, such as techniques and procedures to suit the features of the terrain

weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the overnight trip

hazards that may be experienced in various conditions on different terrain

first aid, emergency and rescue procedures relevant to the location to ensure safety of self and others.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Condition of participants may include:

previous experience

physical development

age

injuries and illnesses.

Plan may include:

aims and objectives

date, time and duration

location, equipment and resources

safety and emergency requirements.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

assessment procedures

time and budget constraints

communication protocols

code of ethics

confidentiality of participant information

snowsport area signs and regulations

Alpine Responsibility Code.

Trip objectives may include:

self improvement

meeting people

fitness targets

adventure and recreation.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dense vegetation

group management hazards.

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment misuse.

Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

media

land managers or agencies

ski patrol

local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information may include:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

event warnings

river level

synoptic charts

high and low tide predictions.

Food and water requirements may include:

menu planning and preparation

range of foods.

Principles of nutrition may include:

food groups

dietary guidelines

individual food requirements and allergies.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

Equipment may include:

ski touring equipment

overnight equipment

safety, first aid and rescue equipment

navigation equipment

communication equipment

repair equipment.

Relevant information may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional content

instructional technique

assessment technique

group feedback

directing techniques

rescue techniques employed.

Ski touring skills and techniques must include:

diagonal stride

snow plough, glide, break and turn

side step

step turns

double pole

herringbone

downhill run

kick turn

traverse

basic skate

side-slip

stopping

stem-turns

kick and tack turns

open stance telemark turns

telemark run

self arrest.

Variable factors may include:

change of weather

equipment failure

snow conditions.

Relevant aspects may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional content

instructional technique

assessment technique

group feedback

directing techniques

rescue techniques employed.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Conduct relevant assessments to determine the conditionofparticipants. 
Develop a trip plan according to participant's needs, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Select a location according to participant's abilities, trip objectives, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Identify hazards associated with overnight ski touring and minimise risks to ensure personal safety of participants. 
Access relevantsources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity plan. 
Determine food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and contextual issues of the overnight ski touring trip. 
Select equipment according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures and check serviceability. 
Assess equipment for safety and suitability and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort. 
Pack equipment that is not required on hand in a suitable manner. 
Check safety and rescue equipment to ensure suitability to the group and the conditions. 
Communicate instructions and relevant information about the overnight ski touring trip in a manner suitable to the participants. 
Outline safety procedures and safe areas and or boundaries for the trip. 
Explain symptoms, treatment and prevention of hypothermia and dehydration to group to assist in self-monitoring. 
Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use while ski touring. 
Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the overnight trip. 
Demonstrate correct ski touring skills and techniques to participants. 
Monitor ski touring skills to ensure safety of participants. 
Monitor individual participant's performance and provide appropriate feedback. 
Implement appropriate modifications to activities in regard to all variable factors that are monitored. 
Recognise and resolve conflict situations, where applicable. 
Respond to emergencies or non-routine situations according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Notify appropriate authorities of trip completion. 
Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Evaluate relevant aspects of overnight ski touring trip. 
Identify potential areas of improvement for future overnight ski touring trips. 
Review own performance and identify potential improvements. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOSKT410A - Guide overnight ski tours
Assessment task 1: [title]

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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

SISOSKT410A - Guide overnight ski tours

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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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