This unit applies to those working as an alpine-style snowboarding guide, leader or instructor in a variety of conditions, such as black runs at a snowsport area. This unit may also apply to those working at lodges and or resorts, or those working for private outdoor adventure companies who run snowboarding camps and holiday programs or for volunteer organisations, not for profit organisations, government agencies, or group instructors in outdoor education programs.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan for an alpine-style snowboarding activity.

1.1. Identify and plan food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and the conditions of the activity.

1.2. Identify an appropriate activity site or location according to contextual issues, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

1.3. Determine possible hazards associated with alpine-style snowboarding in a variety of snow, terrain and weather conditions.

1.4. Access relevant sources to interpret weather and environmental information and determine activity plans.

2. Select appropriate equipment.

2.1. Select suitable equipment after consideration of design and or construction features and contextual issues, and check that it is in good working order.

2.2. Adjust and fit equipment, according to manufacturer's specification, to ensure comfort and safety.

2.3. Select personal clothing for activity according to the design and or construction features appropriate for the conditions.

3. Apply alpine-style snowboarding skills.

3.1. Participate in pre-snowboarding warm ups and stretching exercises.

3.2. Apply principles of form to adapt the movements of snowboarding to suit the terrain and snow conditions.

3.3. Carve turns of differing types, shapes and sizes through the fall line.

3.4. Apply speed control using turn-shape on all black runs.

3.5. Determine principles of form to refine the movements of snowboarding to result in an efficient line through a gated course.

3.6. Execute alpine-style snowboarding through a gated course, demonstrating sideslipping and use of the most efficient line.

3.7. Approach hazards in a safe manner and minimise risks to self and group where possible.

3.8. Take measures to guard personal safety and safety of others whilst alpine-style snowboarding.

4. Evaluate snowboarding activity.

4.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of the activity.

4.2. Identify improvements for future alpine-style snowboarding experiences.

Required skills

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

planning and organising skills to allocate and select relevant food, water, clothing and equipment for the alpine-style snowboarding activity

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

problem-solving skills to:

respond appropriately to changing conditions

determine techniques to use when alpine-style snowboarding

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 and personal health care.

Required knowledge

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

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

equipment types, characteristics and technology used for alpine-style snowboarding, 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

alpine-style snowboarding techniques, such as the execution of turns and sideslipping to demonstrate efficient riding

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 relevant to the location to ensure risk minimisation to self and group.

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 black run conditions and duration of the alpine-style snowboarding activity

demonstrate alpine-style snowboarding techniques, such as carving a variety of turns, and a range of safe alpine-style snowboarding manoeuvres through a gated course such as sideslipping in a balanced and controlled manner while negotiating hazards

evaluates and reflects on own alpine-style snowboarding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple alpine-style snowboarding activities on advanced terrain to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a suitable snowsport location with advanced terrain, such as black runs, for alpine-style snowboarding skills to be demonstrated

resources and information, such as principles of nutrition and weather sources to accurately plan and prepare for the alpine-style snowboarding activity

equipment such as alpine-style snowboards, bindings, boots, suitable clothing, goggles, helmet, gated course, lift pass, backpack or bumbag, and food and water.

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:

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of alpine-style snowboarding strategies and techniques

observation of safe participation and demonstration of alpine-style snowboarding skills, such as the execution of turns and speed control on black runs

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:

SISOSKB404A Snowboard on advanced terrain

Guidance information for assessment

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:

range of foods:

perishability

packaging

storage.

Principles of nutrition may include:

food groups

dietary guidelines.

Conditions may include:

snow:

surface snow conditions

weather:

visibility

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

safety and emergency procedures

code of ethics

snowsport area signs and regulations

Alpine Responsibility Code and snowboarding practices within the code.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

stinging trees and nettles

dense vegetation

group management hazards.

Alpine-style snowboarding may include:

narrower board

greater edge contact

greater side-cut

greater stance angle

hard boots

plate bindings.

Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

media

land managers or agencies

local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information may include:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

weather warnings

event warnings

river levels

synoptic charts

high and low tide predictions.

Equipment may include:

beanie

alpine-style snowboard

alpine- style boots

bindings

wrist guards

gloves

sun glasses or goggles.

Design and or construction features may include:

side-cut

overall length

effective edge

camber

torsional flex

boot flex.

Comfort and safety may include:

height and weight

boot type

side-cut

overall length

effective edge

forward lean

stance width

stance angle.

Principles of form may include:

speed

timing

power

range

co-ordination.

Movements may include:

steering

edging

pressure control

sideslipping.

Turns may include:

turns:

up un-weighting

down un-waiting

skidded

turn sizes.

Turn shape may include:

complete

closed or finished and incomplete

open or unfinished.

Efficient line through a gated course may include:

flow

rhythm

tightness to the gate

early edge change

effective turn shape.

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment 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 snowboarding practices within the code.

Safety of others may include:

speed

distance from other snow users.

Relevant aspects may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional content

instructional technique

directing techniques

rescue techniques employed.

Unit sector

Outdoor Recreation

This unit contains employability skills.