This unit applies to those working as ski touring leaders who conduct overnight ski touring trips and activities in a range of non patrolled, untracked and un-groomed conditions with slopes angled up to and including 25 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 of different foods when menu planning.

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

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

1.5. Identify potential hazards associated with ski touring away from patrolled areas.

2. Select equipment.

2.1. Select equipment after consideration of 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 according to location and activity requirements.

2.4. Pack and carry or tow an overnight pack or sled which includes clothing and minimum supplies to meet safety requirements and minimise hazards and emergencies.

3. Perform skiing techniques whilst ski touring.

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

3.2. Link together advancedturns through the fall-line under a range of snow conditions, with speed and turn-shape for conditions and terrain.

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

3.4. Select the method of climbing and turning according to skier's needs and contextual issues.

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

3.6. Take measures to guard personal safety and safety of others while skiing on difficult terrain.

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 overnight activities

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

problem-solving skills to respond to changing conditions and to determine techniques to use according to the difficult conditions

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

self management skills to:

review and reflect on own performance

set goals to improve technique

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

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 overnight ski touring activities in difficult terrain

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 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

advanced ski touring techniques in difficult terrain, including slopes angled up to and including 25 degrees

principles of nutrition to maintain health and energy throughout the overnight trip

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 overnight ski touring activity

applies to the full range of ski towing skills to and advanced level of technique when moving up and downill on slopes angled up to and including 25 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 advanced overnight 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 25 degrees

ski touring, safety, first aid, overnight and navigation equipment

resources and information to plan and prepare for the overnight 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 overnight ski touring strategies and techniques

observation of safe participation and demonstration of advanced ski touring skills, such as the application of a variety of climbing and turning methods while carrying a back pack or towing a sled in difficult terrain

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:

SISOOPS202A Use and maintain a temporary or overnight site.

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.

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.

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.

Hazards may include:

poor visibility

temperature extremes

difficult snow conditions

dense vegetation

group management hazards.

Equipment may include:

towing skis

ski boots

ski poles

ski bindings

backpack or sled to carry overnight provisions

overnight equipment

navigation equipment

sunglasses or goggles

first aid equipment

search 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 or 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:

kick and tacking turns

diagonal stride

snow plough, glide, brake and turn

step turns

double pole

side slipping

herringbone

traverse

self arrest

stopping

stem-turns

linked telemark turns or linked parallel turns.

Snow conditions may include:

surface snow

snow stability

steepness of slope

run-out

terrain features

visibility

wind

sun

human alteration

aspect

vegetation.

Advanced turns may include:

linked telemark turns

linked parallel turns.

Range of snow conditions may include:

powder

corn

crust

soft, wet snow

icy snow

solid base with softening surface.

Turn-shape may include:

long radius

medium radius

short radius.

Method of climbing and turning may include:

kick-turns

wedge turns

parallel turn

jump turns

traverse

side-step

herringbone

diagonal stride.

Skier's needs may include:

physical

psychological

efficiency of energy

locational goal.

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment misuse.

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.