Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

SISOSKI404A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Alpine ski downhill off-piste

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SISOSKI404A - Alpine ski downhill off-piste
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to alpine ski downhill off-piste. This unit focuses on the application of safe alpine skiing off-piste using a range of techniques.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to those working as a ski coach, guide or instructor in a variety of off-piste conditions. This unit may also apply to those working at lodges and or resorts, or those working for private outdoor adventure companies who run ski camps and holiday programs or for volunteer organisations, not for profit organisations, government agencies, or group instructors in outdoor education programs.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Nil
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Plan for an off-piste alpine skiing activity.
  • Identify and plan food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and the off-pisteconditions.
  • Identify an appropriate activity site or location according to contextual issues, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Determine possible hazards associated with skiing off-piste in a variety of conditions.
  • Access relevantsources to interpret weather and environmental information and determine activity plans.
       
Element: Select appropriate equipment.
  • Select suitable equipment after consideration of design and or construction features and contextual issues, and check that it is in good working order.
  • Adjust and fit equipment, according to manufacturer's specification, to ensure comfort and safety.
  • Select personal clothing for activity according to the design and or construction features appropriate for the conditions.
       
Element: Apply alpine skiing techniques in off-piste conditions.
  • Execute alpine skiing techniques in parallel turns in off-piste conditions, demonstrating efficient movement and coordination of the planes of movement.
  • Perform linked parallel turns through the fall line in off-piste terrain.
  • Apply speed control using turn-shape that is adapted for snow conditions and terrain.
  • Approach hazards in a safe manner and minimise risks to self and group where possible.
  • Take measures to guard personal safety and safety of others while skiing.
       
Element: Evaluate off-piste alpine skiing activity.
  • Evaluate relevant aspects of the activity.
  • Identify improvements for future alpine skiing experiences.
       


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:

applies relevant process to plan equipment and supply requirements appropriate to the off-piste conditions and duration of the downhill alpine skiing activity

practices a range of safe alpine skiing techniques in off-piste conditions, such as parallel turns while negotiating hazards, and maintaining balance, control and efficient movement

evaluates and reflects on own skiing performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in downhill alpine skiing on off-piste terrain that reflects local conditions and is of a sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a suitable off-piste location to enable demonstration of downhill alpine skiing skills and techniques

resources and information to accurately plan and prepare for the alpine skiing activity

equipment such as alpine skis, poles and bindings.

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 the planning and review process with evidence of reference to resources

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge on downhill alpine skiing strategies and techniques in off-piste conditions

observation of safe participation and demonstration of downhill alpine skiing skills, such as the execution of parallel turns and speed control, off piste

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

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

SISOSKI303A Alpine ski downhill on advanced terrain.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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

literacy skills to analyse, interpret and apply weather and environmental information, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures

planning and organisation skills to allocate and select relevant food, water, clothing and equipment for the alpine skiing activity

communication skills to interact with other participants to maintain a positive and safe skiing environment

problem-solving skills to:

respond appropriately to changing conditions

determine techniques to use when downhill alpine skiing in various off-piste conditions

self management skills to review and reflect on own performance and set goals to improve technique

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies such as an avalanche, and personal health care.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct and legal access

Alpine Responsibility Code, safe mountain travelling, and minimal impact codes to ensure safety and protection of environment

equipment types, characteristics and technology used for downhill alpine skiing, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment, and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment

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

downhill alpine skiing techniques, such as the parallel turn, and when and how to use it in various off-piste conditions

principles of nutrition to maintain health and energy during activity

sources of weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the activity

emergency procedures and potential hazards, such as avalanches, relevant to the location to ensure risk minimisation to self and group.

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.

Food and water requirements may include:

menu planning and preparation

range of foods

emergency food and water

Principles of nutrition may include:

dietary guidelines

essential nutrients

individual food requirements and allergies.

Off-piste conditions may include:

weather

terrain.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

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

use and maintenance of equipment

communication protocols

code of ethics

snowsport area signs and regulations

Alpine Responsibility Code.

Hazards may include:

other snow users

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

stinging trees and nettles

dense vegetation

group management hazards.

Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

media

land managers or agencies

coastal patrol or coastguard

volunteer marine rescue

local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information may include:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

weather warnings

river heights

synoptic charts

high and low tides.

Equipment may include:

alpine skis

poles

ski boots

ski bindings

clothing and footwear

goggles

safety and first aid equipment.

Design and or construction features may include:

side-cut

longitudinal flex

ski length and width

binding risers

boot rigidity and performance.

Comfort and safety may include:

maintenance of equipment

the ski length appropriate to skier's ability, height and weight

ski boot type appropriate for an advanced skier

ski bindings chosen have a Deutsches Institute fur Normung (DIN) range suitable for an advanced skier

ski poles fit the body size of participant.

Techniques may include:

side-step

side-slip

kick-turns

traverse

parallel turns.

Efficient movement may include:

centred and athletic skiing stance in relation to the fore and aft planes of movement

well timed

strong pole touch to aid balance

coordination in the rotational, lateral and vertical planes of movement.

Coordination may include:

timing

speed and precision to blend the planes of movement.

Planes of movement may include:

rotational plane of movement

lateral plane of movement

vertical plane of movement.

Speed control may include:

stopping

slowing down

speeding up.

Turn-shape may include:

medium radius turns

long radius turns

short radius turns

shallow turns

deep turns.

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment and course failure.

Measures may include:

safe falling

speed

observation of winter weather conditions and terrain

adequate clothing

fluid and food intake

complying with all snowsport area signs and regulations

complying with Alpine Responsibility Code and skiing practices within the code.

Safety of others may include:

speed

distance from other skiers.

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
Identify and plan food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and the off-pisteconditions. 
Identify an appropriate activity site or location according to contextual issues, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Determine possible hazards associated with skiing off-piste in a variety of conditions. 
Access relevantsources to interpret weather and environmental information and determine activity plans. 
Select suitable equipment after consideration of design and or construction features and contextual issues, and check that it is in good working order. 
Adjust and fit equipment, according to manufacturer's specification, to ensure comfort and safety. 
Select personal clothing for activity according to the design and or construction features appropriate for the conditions. 
Execute alpine skiing techniques in parallel turns in off-piste conditions, demonstrating efficient movement and coordination of the planes of movement. 
Perform linked parallel turns through the fall line in off-piste terrain. 
Apply speed control using turn-shape that is adapted for snow conditions and terrain. 
Approach hazards in a safe manner and minimise risks to self and group where possible. 
Take measures to guard personal safety and safety of others while skiing. 
Evaluate relevant aspects of the activity. 
Identify improvements for future alpine skiing experiences. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOSKI404A - Alpine ski downhill off-piste
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

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

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

SISOSKI404A - Alpine ski downhill off-piste

Student name:

Student ID:

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

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: