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.
Prerequisites
Nil
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide. |
1. Plan for an off-piste alpine skiing activity. | 1.1. Identify and plan food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and the off-pisteconditions. 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 skiing off-piste in a variety of 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 techniques in off-piste conditions. | 3.1. Execute alpine skiing techniques in parallel turns in off-piste conditions, demonstrating efficient movement and coordination of the planes of movement. 3.2. Perform linked parallel turns through the fall line in off-piste terrain. 3.3. Apply speed control using turn-shape that is adapted for snow conditions and terrain. 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 off-piste alpine skiing activity. | 4.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of the activity. 4.2. Identify improvements for future alpine skiing experiences. |
Required Skills
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. |
Evidence Required
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. |
Range Statement
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. |
Sectors
Outdoor Recreation
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
No licensing, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.