Snowsport Scotland Courses
Alpine Ski Leader (ASL)
Introduction
The Alpine Ski leader award was established as an award for teachers and
youth workers who wish to introduce young people to the sport of Alpine Skiing
and lead them within the bounds of a ski resort. The award is recognised by
SAPOE (Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education) and is widely
used throughout Scotland and abroad. Award holders operate in terms of the IVSI
guidelines.
The award provides training and continual assessment in the following areas:
- Leadership.
- Technical.
- 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 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 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 to inform them of their intentions whilst leading in a ski resort. This
is good practice and strongly recommended by Snowsport Scotland.
Course Description
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.
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.
Before issue of a qualification, a first aid certificate (which meets the
SNSC First Aid Requirements) must be sent to
Snowsport Scotland.
ASL Course Dates and Cost
For information regarding this course please contact Snowsport Scotland, 0131 445 4151.
ASL Module for ASSI Holders
This is an assessment based conversion course for ASSIs looking to gain an
ASL award.
For information regarding this course please contact Snowsport Scotland, 0131 445 4151.
Preparation for Alpine Ski Leader
For information regarding this course please contact Snowsport Scotland, 0131 445 4151.
Booking
information
Qualification
The Alpine Ski Leader Qualification is issued to candidates who pass the
course and also hold a First Aid Certificate and have paid membership fees.
| 
