This unit applies to those working as a ski coach, guide or instructor in a variety of controlled conditions, such as blue runs at a snowsport area. This unit may also apply to those working at lodges and or resorts, those working for outdoor education or adventure providers; volunteer groups; not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan for an alpine skiing 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 downhill skiing in a variety of snow, terrain and weather conditions.

1.4. Access relevantsources 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 skiing skills.

3.1. Execute basic parallel turns on intermediate terrain, demonstrating efficient movement in relation to the planes of movement.

3.2. Perform linked parallel turns through the fall line.

3.3. Apply speed control while turning and using the shape of the turn on all blue runs.

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

3.5. Take measures to guard personal safety and safety of others while skiing.

4. Evaluate alpine skiing activity.

4.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of the activity.

4.2. Identify improvements for future alpine skiing experiences.

Required skills

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

planning and organising skills to allocate and select relevant food, water, clothing and equipment for the downhill 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 and to determine techniques to use when alpine skiing in various 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 and personal health care.

Required knowledge

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

Alpine Responsibility Code and skiing 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 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 when and how to perform parallel turns

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 blue run conditions and duration of the downhill alpine skiing activity

practices a range of safe alpine skiing techniques such as parallel turns, speed control and use of a pole touch while negotiating hazards, and maintaining balance and control

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 intermediate terrain that reflects local conditions and is of a sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must ensure access to:

a suitable snowsport location with intermediate terrain, such as blue runs, to enable demonstration of downhill alpine skiing skills

resources and information, such as principles of nutrition and weather sources, to accurately plan and prepare for the downhill alpine skiing activity

equipment such as alpine skis, poles, bindings, boots, suitable clothing, goggles, 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:

observation of the planning and review process with evidence of reference to resources

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of downhill alpine skiing strategies and techniques

observation of safe participation and demonstration of alpine skiing skills, such as execution of parallel turns and speed control on blue 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.

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:

menu planning and preparation

range of foods

emergency food and water

Principles of nutrition may include:

food groups

dietary guidelines

essential nutrients

balanced diet

food preparation

individual food requirements and allergies.

Conditions may include:

visibility

snowing

wind

sun

steepness of slope

run out.

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 from land management authorities

authority or permission from land owners

working with children

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 and skiing 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.

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

goggles

safety and first aid equipment.

Design and or construction features may include:

side-cut

longitudinal flex

ski length

binding risers

boot rigidity.

Comfort and safety may include:

the ski length is correct for skier's ability, height and weight

ski boot type correct for skier

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

ski poles fit the body size of participant.

Efficient movement may include:

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

efficient use of the rotational, lateral and vertical planes of movement

effective use of a pole touch.

Plane of movement may include:

rotational plane

lateral plane

vertical plane.

Speed control may include:

stopping

slowing down

speeding up.

Shape of the turn may include:

medium radius turns

long 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.

Unit sector

Outdoor Recreation

This unit contains employability skills.