Ski Academy Switzerland - Snowsport Scotland

We offer a full range of Snowsport Scotland (SNSC), BASI and PSIA courses leading to professional awards and qualifications. SNSC courses are aimed specifically for parents, head teachers, governors, LEAs and party leaders. BASI and PSIA courses are aimed for professional ski instructors who are looking to work in a ski school environment around Europe and the rest of the world including USA, Canada, New Zealand, Argentina and Chile.

Alpine Ski Leader (ASL)

The ASL Qualification and Course Aim

The Scottish Alpine Ski Leader qualification is widely recognised throughout the UK as the most appropriate award for skiers taking sole charge of groups (often children) in the mountain environment. The Alpine Ski Leader is an award originally developed in the 1960's, for mainly teachers and youth workers wishing to introduce skiing to young people from their own organisation, often without direct financial remuneration. The award covers a range of responsibilities including; planning, organising, supervising, leading and instructing.

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.

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.

Quotes

"The course was well organised... It was an extremely valuable learning curve... most enjoyable course that I have ever taken part in."

"Anyone thinking about going on this course should stop thinking and get on it."

Course entry requirements

Course participants should:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be able to ski basic parallel skiing on groomed red slopes
• Have at least 20 days on-snow experience
• Use carving skis
• Understand all levels of the UK Awards and be able to perform many of the activities up to level 7.
• Be a member of the Snowsport Scotland Coaching Scheme (or that of Snowsport England, Snowsport Wales or Northern Ireland Ski Council).

If you are unsure of your level of performance please see this self assessment or seek the advice of a qualified instructor.

This video link shows the entry standard required for the ASL: Alpine Ski Leader Entry Standard

Before issue of a qualification, a first aid certificate (which meets the SNSC First Aid Requirements) must be sent to Snowsport Scotland.

Dates and Calendar:

Colour key:

Available

Nearly Full

Fully Booked

Course	Venue	Dates	Cost	Availability
Alpine Ski Leader	Saas-Fee	25/07/2010 - 31/07/2010	£500
Alpine Ski Leader	Saas-Fee	15/08/2010 - 21/08/2010	£500

What does the cost of the Alpine Ski Leader include?

Saas-Fee includes:

• Accommodation half board in Hotel Mischabel (www.mischabel.ch)
• All Course fees

Not included:

• Ski Hire (we can arrange this at a special rate)
• Lift Pass
• Transfers

Level 3 (Alpine Performance Coach 1)

Course Aim

The Level 3 (Alpine Performance Coach 1) course is designed specifically specifically for those who work with young skiers on a regular basis. It will provide information which will enable the coach to carry out his/her coaching role within a coaching programme more effectively. The training aims to ensure that children in their charge engage in safe purposeful practices which will develop skiing performance in addition to enhancing the personal development of the skiers.

Course Description

The six day course contains elements designed to improve the participants ability to coach skiers in a mountain environment and to introduce skiing to children in a safe and enjoyable manner. Active participation is required of all candidates.

The content of the course includes:

Skiing Performance
Stance and balance; edge, pressure and steering control.

Coach Theory and Practice
Coaching philosophy; processes and styles.

Athlete Skill Development
Skills analysis; developing skills through use of slalom poles; setting appropriate drill courses; concept of skill/drill matching.

Assessment is continual during the six days of the course. Course participants will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the material covered during the course and be able to assimilate this material into a practical context. The course Tutor will provide ongoing feedback during the course concerning participants performance. On completion of the course the Tutor will conduct individual course review with each participant.

Quotes

"Top stuff".

"All the tutors focussed on optimising the best from the candidates... I'm totally satisfied."

"I Felt it was a really progressive course and my personal skiing improved which I really appreciated - cool bananas!"

Course entry requirements.

Course participants should meet the following minimum requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Hold either ASL, ASSI, BASI Instructor, Club Coach or foreign equivalent (*)
• Be able to ski parallel skiing on steep red slopes
• Be a member of the Snowsport Scotland Coaching Scheme (or that of Snowsport England, Snowsport Wales or Northern Ireland Ski Council)

(* Members of the Scottish and British Alpine Ski Teams are exempt from formal entry qualification requirements)

In addition it would be desirable for candidates to possess a ski instructor qualification and have a knowledge of material contained in the following Sports Coach UK Coach workshops:

• The Coach in Action
• The Body in Action

Before issue of a qualification, a first aid certificate (which meets the Snowsport Scotland First Aid Requirements) must be sent to Snowsport Scotland.

Qualification
The APC1 Qualification is issued to candidates who pass the course and also hold a First Aid Certificate and have paid membership fees.

Dates and Calendar:

Colour key:

Available

Nearly Full

Fully Booked

Course	Venue	Dates	Cost	Availability
Level 3 (APC 1)	Saas-Fee	25/07/2010 - 30/07/2010	£400
Level 3 (APC 1)	Saas-Fee	15/08/2010 - 20/08/2010	£400

PSIA Level I Certified Member

Performs and demonstrates a basic understanding of American Teaching System concepts and shows efficient movement and use of skis as outlined in the Alpine Level I standards. Additionally, the member will demonstrate a general conceptual understanding of the disabilities, medical, and equipment issues pertaining to at least one of the disability classifications.

Level II Certified Member

Performs and demonstrates a working understanding of American Teaching System concepts and shows efficient movement and use of skis as outlined in the Alpine Level II standards. Additionally, the member will demonstrate detailed understanding and working application of disabilities, medical, and equipment knowledge in all six disability classifications.

Level III Certified Member (ISIA)

Performs and demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of American Teaching System concepts and shows efficient movement and use of skis as outlined in the Alpine Level III standards. Additionally, the member will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and thorough application of the disabilities, medical, and equipment knowledge pertaining to all disability classifications.

Dates and Calendar:

Colour key:

Available

Nearly Full

Fully Booked

Course	Venue	Dates	Cost	Availability
PSIA Level 1	Saas-Fee	22/11/2009 - 28/11/2009	£350
PSIA Level 1	Gstaad	07/02/2010 - 13/02/2010	£350
PSIA Level 1	Saas-Fee	11/04/2010 - 16/04/2010	£350
PSIA Level 2	Saas-Fee	10/04/2010 - 16/04/2010	£TBC
Educational Updates	Gstaad / Saas-Fee	Contact the office	£TBC

Snowsport Scotland Personal Development Courses for ASL and ASSI's

Amongst Snowsport Scotland's most valuable resources are our Tutors. These dedicated and highly qualified individuals normally train our future instructors and coaches.

As a service to our members we have decided to open up this important resource to our clubs and offer Personal Development delivered by our tutors to our Club members and to the public.

These courses begin with a series of one day Personal Performance courses for Alpine skiers.

The course content will be governed by weather and snow conditions, but will concentrate on piste performance and variable conditions. To attend these courses you should be a competent parallel skier on all levels of piste. The courses will be particularly suited to good skiers who want to take their skiing to the next level.

A typical week's course includes:

• 25 hrs+ Personal Skiing Performance (Beyond central theme, beyond parallel stepping stones)
• Skier analysis and leadership skills
• Teaching skills and techniques
• Off-Piste and Mountain Safety
• Race training

Alpine Ski Leaders and Level 2 (ASSI) instructors will also greatly benefit from attending. These courses are second to none in terms of your skiing development.

Attendance at such a course can also act as a refresher for current qualifications.

Persons attending the course will also receive a certificate of personal development from Snowsport Scotland.