This unit applies to those working as ski touring leaders in a variety of non patrolled conditions which are untracked and un-groomed on slopes angled up to and including 15 degrees. This unit also applies to leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers; volunteer groups; not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan for the ski touring activity.

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

1.2. Address packaging and storage considerations when menu planning.

1.3. Identify possible hazards associated with ski touring away from patrolled areas

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

1.5. Identify an appropriate activity site and route according to contextual issues, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

2. Select equipment.

2.1. Select suitable equipment after consideration of design and or construction features and contextual issues, and check serviceability.

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

2.3. Select personal clothing for activity and identify the design and or construction features that make it appropriate.

2.4. Pack a day pack which includes clothing and minimum supplies for a backcountry day trip to meet safety requirements for minimising hazards and or dealing with emergencies.

3. Apply skiing skills while ski touring.

3.1. Select and execute skiing skills according to terrain, weather and snow conditions.

3.2. Modify technique to account for changes in terrain.

3.3. Apply rhythm and smooth transfers between strides, steps and turns.

3.4. Link together turns through the fall-line under good snow conditions, with speed and turn-shape adapted for conditions and terrain.

3.5. Choose the angle of climb and selection of slope, and complete climbs taking into account the terrain, weather and snow conditions.

3.6. Select the method of climbing and turning according to the terrain and snow conditions.

3.7. Adhere to safe backcountry ski touring practices and approach hazards in a safe manner, minimising risks to self and group where possible.

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

4. Evaluate skiing activity.

4.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of the activity.

4.2. Identify improvements for future ski touring experiences.

Required skills

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

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

problem-solving skills to:

respond to changing conditions

determine techniques to use according to the conditions

ski touring skills in various non patrolled conditions, including slopes angled up to and including 15 degrees.

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

self management skills to:

review and reflect on own performance

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 of all day ski touring activities

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

equipment types, characteristics and technology used for ski touring, 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

principles of nutrition to maintain health and energy during activity

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 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 equipment and supply requirements appropriate to the conditions and duration of the ski touring activity

applies the full range of skiing skills to an intermediate level of technique when moving up and downhill on slopes angled up to 15 degrees

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 multiple ski touring activities in non patrolled areas with untracked and un-groomed snow to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a suitable non patrolled ski touring location with untracked and un-groomed slopes angled up to and including 15 degrees

ski touring, safety, first aid and navigation equipment.

resources and information to plan and prepare for the ski touring activity.

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 ski touring strategies and techniques

observation of safe participation and demonstration of ski touring skills, such as using side steps to move up and down hills, downhill runs and turns and safe falling methods to minimise injuries

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:

SISOSKT202A Demonstrate ski touring skills in a patrolled environment to a basic standard

SISOSKT305A Demonstrate snowcraft skills for day touring

SISONAV302A Apply navigation skills in an intermediate environment.

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.

Principles of nutrition may include:

food groups

dietary guidelines

individual food requirements and allergies.

Hazards may include:

poor visibility

temperature extremes

difficult snow conditions

dense vegetation

group management hazards.

Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

ski patrol

land managers or agencies

local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information may include:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

event warnings

river level

synoptic charts.

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

emergency procedures

snowsport area signs and regulations

Alpine Responsibility Code

code of ethics.

Equipment may include:

touring skis

poles

ski boots

ski bindings

backpack, up to 12kg

navigation equipment

sunglasses or goggles

first aid equipment

safety and rescue equipment

communications equipment.

Comfort and safety may include:

length, weight and width of ski

grip and glide zones of skis

flex and shape of ski

edges tuned

free heel

longitudinal rigidity

surfaces waxed and cleaned

length of poles and basket type

bindings and boots in good working order.

Minimum supplies may include:

waterproof clothing

whistle

food and water

first aid kit

map and compass

stove and fuel

torch

space blanket

repair kit

small shelter

sleeping bag

sleeping mat

snow shovel

mobile phone or EPIRB or PLB.

Skiing skills must include:

diagonal stride

snow plough, glide, brake and turn

side step

step turns

double pole

herringbone

downhill run

kick turn

traverse

basic skate

side-slip

stopping

stem-turns and step turns

kick and tacking turns

telemark running

self arrest

Technique may include:

edging

degree of glide

pole position

hand and arm position

body position

knee flex

position of skis with respect to each other

weight transfer

synchronisation of movement.

Snow conditions may include:

surface snow

snow stability

steepness of slope

run-out

terrain features

visibility

wind

sun

vegetation.

Turns may include:

snow plough

stem-turns

open stance telemark turns

step

kick and tacking turns.

Turn-shape may include:

long radius

medium radius.

Method of climbing and turning may include:

kick-turns

traverse

side-step

herringbone

diagonal stride

removing skis and walking.

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment and course failure.

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.

Unit sector

Outdoor Recreation

This unit contains employability skills.