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Ski Academy Switzerland - Race Coaching and Alpine Ski Leader
SAS is offering a multi-level certification programme that provides training in sport-specific techniques and tactics, sport sciences and sport management. The UK Level 2 Performance Coach or USSA L100 courses can be taken as seperate modules or taken together in conjunction with the new European PSIA Pathway over a 5 day period.
UK Level 2 Performance Coach
A Level 2 performance coach should demonstrate a solid understanding of the fundamentals to performance coaching and be able to plan, implement and analyse long term development programs on artificial ski slopes.
A level 2 coach is authorised to operate within a club or centre environment on artificial ski slopes. The skiers can be ranging from novice to advanced level.
The level 2 performance coach course and qualification is designed 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.
UK Level 2 Training & Assessment
This is a training course that is delivered at an artificial ski slope by an appropriately qualified tutor.
The course lasts for 3 days and is assessed on the basis of continual assessment.
The three main areas the course will cover are:
- Personal skiing performance
- Performance Coaching
- Course setting
Entry Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Hold level 1 Ski Instructor qualification or foreign equivalent (*).
- Be able to show skilful parallel skiing on all terrain demonstrating good posture and making appropriate movements when in motion.
- Be registered member of the HNGB Coaching Scheme
(* Members of the HN's and British Alpine Ski Teams are exempt from formal entry qualification requirements)
USSA Level 100 Race Coaching Course
The Level 100 certification is designed for entry-level coaches with at least 1-year of coaching experience. It is an introduction to the fundamentals of alpine ski racing and coaching.
The course last for 5 days and is assessed on the basis of continual assessment.
All coaches beginning the certification process will need to successfully complete the following requirements in order to be a Certified Level 100 Coach:
- Alpine Ski Fundamentals Course, on-snow Level 100
- Coaching Principles (ASEP) Course and exam
- First Aid/CPR Course
All new and current coaches who have achieved their Level 100 Coach Certification will be required to complete a continuing education credit every 2 years. Continuing education credits can be achieved by taking an on-snow clinic, reviewing any of the Elite Performance Series CD-ROMs and successfully passing the related examination, taking an online Sports Management course, etc. All Level 100 Certified coaches will be required to maintain up-to-date CPR and First Aid certifications in order to remain current.
Dates and Calendar:
| Colour key: | Available |  |
Nearly Full |  |
Fully Booked |  |
| Course | Venue | Dates | Cost | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK Performance L2 USSA L100 |
Kaprun | 27/02/12 - 02/03/12 | £250 | |
| UK Performance L2 USSA L100 |
Kaprun | 20/03/12 - 24/03/12 | £250 | |
Alpine Ski Leader
SNSC courses are aimed specifically for parents, head teachers, governors, LEAs and party leaders.
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
Score 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 od 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 Island 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 | 02/01/12 - 08/01/12 | £750 | |
For more information please contact james@skiacademyswitzerland.com.