Alpine Ski Leader

Course Content

The content of the course includes:

Leadership skills
Group leading considerations; group practice supervision; knowledge of ski resorts.

Mountain skills
Navigation; weather; clothing; equipment; accident procedures.

Technical skills
Personal performance; introducing skiing to children; knowledge of instructional methods.

The course material is presented primarily during on-snow skiing sessions and is supported by evening programmes and seminar sessions. The course provides opportunities for discussion and candidates are required to present a short lecturette (a topic is sent to participants with confirmation of the course booking).

Assessment of the course is continual during the seven days of the course. The course Tutor will provide ongoing feedback during the course concerning participants performance. On completion of the course the Tutor will conduct individual course reviews with each participant.

The three key elements of an Alpine Ski Leader course are:

• Leadership (which is not the same as leading).
• Technical skiing
• Teaching

Scope of the Award

The award offers the opportunity to gain technical competence in leading skiers within the bounds of a ski resort in a mountain environment at home and abroad. It does not provide a professional instruction qualification and does not permit a Ski Leader to take their group off piste.

It is the combination of personal leadership qualities, leadership skills, technical and teaching skills which form the basis of effective group management in a skiing environment and the award assesses all these aspects.

As part of leading their group it may be necessary for a Ski Leader to teach the group skiing skills. A Ski Leader is licensed and insured to teach their own group from beginner up to basic parallel standard. A Ski Leader may operate anywhere within the remit of the award.

The award is limited to those travelling and working with their own groups and would be invalid if used in any other circumstances.

When operating abroad, a Ski Leader should introduce themselves to the local ski school and inform them of their intentions whilst leading in a ski resort. This is good practice and strongly recommended by Snowsport Scotland

The seven day course contains elements designed to improve the participant's ability to lead skiers in a mountain environment and to introduce skiing to children in a safe and enjoyable manner.