B2.14 SNOWSPORTS - AT RECOGNISED RESORTS Introduction All snowspt (Skiing, Snowblading, Snowboarding) activities, whether instruction practice, must be supervised by an appropriately qualified member of School/Youth Centre/Unit staff an appropriately qualified ski instruct. Index: 2.14.1 Skiing on Snow 2.14.4 Snowboarding on Snow 2.14.6 Skiing on Artificial Slopes 2.14.8 Snowboarding on Artificial Slopes 2.14.10 Guidance and Additional Operating Procedures Regulations 2.14.1 Qualifications - Skiing on Snow To lead groups on a ski visit abroad in Scotland The group leader must hold a Ski Course Organisers' Certificate (SCO1) and must have accompanied an experienced leader on previous ski journeys. Please Note This qualification does not qualify the group leader to instruct supervise skiing/snowboarding activities. To SUPERVISE group members on nursery slopes the member of staff must hold; an Artificial Ski Slope Instruct's Award a current British Association of Ski Instructs licence (fmally BASI 3) have attended a Ski Course Organiser course and have accompanied ski visits in snow conditions on at least three occasions and possess at least the Level 3 Snowspts Award (British Alpine Ski Award Scheme Two Star) have a recognised skiing ability of that standard.
(iii) To SUPERVISE group members on Green and Blue runs the member of staff must hold; an Alpine Ski Leader s Award Certificate a current British Association of Ski Instructs licence (fmally BASI 3) have attended a Ski Course Organiser course, have accompanied ski parties in snow conditions on at least four occasions, possess at least the Level 7 Snowspts Award (British Alpine Ski Award Scheme Three Star) have a recognised skiing ability of that standard, and will hold a letter of recognition issued by the Outdo Education Adviser. This will be based on evidence of pri experience, training and local knowledge during the past 5 years. The member of staff will also be required to obtain approval from the head of the local ski school and supervise on runs only recommended by their Instruct Coach f the skiers concerned. (iv) (v) To SUPERVISE group members on Red runs the member of staff must hold: an Alpine Ski Leader s Award Certificate. a British Association of Ski Instruct certificate and hold a current licence (fmally BASI 3) To SUPERVISE group members on Black runs the member of staff must hold: an Alpine Ski Leader s Award Certificate. All group members must hold the Level 8 Snowspts Award (British Alpine Ski Award Three Star) be of an equivalent standard. a British Association of Ski Instruct certificate and hold a current licence (fmally BASI 3) LEADERS MAY ONLY SUPERVISE ON RUNS THAT THEY HAVE SKIED AND THEIR STUDENTS HAVE SKIED DURING LESSONS WITH THE INSTRUCTOR. NO SUPERVISION AT ANY LEVEL SHOULD TAKE PLACE WITHOUT THE LEADER FIRST OBTAINING APPROVAL FROM THE HEAD OF THE LOCAL SKI SCHOOL AND ASCERTAINING FROM THE SKI SCHOOL THAT THE PARTY MEMBERS ARE AT THE REQUIRED STANDARD TO SKI SPECIFIED RUNS. SUPERVISION IN THE ABOVE CONTEXT MEANS THAT THE SKIERS REMAIN AT ONE LOCATION WITHIN SIGHT OF THE SUPERVISOR AT ALL TIMES. (vi) To INSTRUCT group members to ski on snow. The minimum requirements are that the instruct is: A member/employee of the local ski school a British Association of Ski Instruct (fmally BASI 3) with a current licence and has full approval from the Head of the local ski school.
A qualified English Ski Council coach and has full approval from the Head of the local Ski School. 2.14.2 Staffing Ratios (iii) The number of students with one qualified adult should not exceed 12. This ratio should be reduced accding to the age, experience and any special needs of the students in the group. No student may ski unsupervised. No student may ski alone. There must be a minimum group of three and they must not ski off the piste. 2.14.3 Equipment (iii) Skis must have safety bindings and must be adjusted to suit the weight and physical condition of each skier. Ski stoppers must be fitted and checked to be wking f all skiers. (Alternatively safety retaining straps must be used.) Skis and poles (when used) should be of an appropriate length. 2.14.4 Qualifications - Snow Boarding on Snow Currently the various snowspt training associations do not have one common training coaching syllabus To INSTRUCT group members snowboarding on snow the instruct must be an employee of the ski school hold a current BSA/BASI Snowboard Instruct licence. To SUPERVISE group members snowboarding on snow the member of staff must either; be an instruct employed by the local ski school hold a current BSA/BASI Snowboard Instruct licence hold a letter of recognition issued by the Outdo Education Adviser. This will be based on evidence of pri experience, training and local knowledge gained during the past 5 years. The member of staff will also be required to obtain approval from the Head of the local Ski School and supervise on runs only recommended by the above having consulted with the Instruct Coach f the snowboarders concerned. 2.14.5 Staffing Ratios - Snow Boarding on Snow The number of students with one qualified instruct adult must not exceed 8. No student may snowboard unsupervised. (iii) No student may snowboard alone. There must be a minimum group of three and they must not snowboard off the piste.
LEADERS MAY ONLY SUPERVISE ON RUNS THAT THEY AND THEIR STUDENTS HAVE SNOWBOARDED DURING LESSONS WITH THE INSTRUCTOR. NO SUPERVISION AT ANY LEVEL SHOULD TAKE PLACE WITHOUT THE LEADER FIRST OBTAINING APPROVAL FROM THE HEAD OF THE LOCAL SKI SCHOOL AND ASCERTAINING FROM THE SKI SCHOOL THAT THE PARTY MEMBERS ARE AT THE REQUIRED STANDARD TO SNOWBOARD SPECIFIED RUNS. SUPERVISION IN THE ABOVE CONTEXT MEANS THAT THE SNOWBOARDERS REMAIN AT ONE LOCATION WITHIN SIGHT OF THE SUPERVISOR AT ALL TIMES. 2.14.6 Qualifications - Skiing on Artificial Slope To instruct skiing on an artificial slope Instructs must be employed by the artificial Ski Slope company hold one of the following qualifications Artificial Ski Slope Instruct s Certificate British Association of Ski Instructs certificate with a current licence Club Instruct s Award - ASS1 Part I plus an appropriate endsement by the local artificial ski slope/school/club. This will be based on previous experience, training and knowledge gained during the past 5 years 2.14.7 Staffing Ratios - Skiing on Artificial Slope The number of students with one qualified instruct adult must not exceed 12 2.14.8 Qualifications - Snow Boarding on Artificial Slopes To instruct snowboarding on an artificial slope, Instructs must be employed by the artificial Ski Slope company, hold an appropriate and recognised Artificial Snowboard Instruct qualification. 2.14.9 Staffing Ratios - Snowboarding on Artificial Slope The number of students with one qualified instruct adult must not exceed 1: 10 2.14.10 Guidance and Additional Operating Procedures Preparation f snow skiing is essential and must include a course of pre-ski exercises designed to strengthen the relevant muscle areas. A number of training sessions at an artificial ski slope course is strongly recommended. This should be built into the whole programme and not be considered as an added extra. Teachers and youth wkers using recognised ski schools with qualified instructs should ensure that all local safety precautions are understood and maintained by members of the group.
(iii) (iv) Initial instruction should include the safe carrying of skis boards and the handling of ski sticks. All young people must wear suitable clothing f skiing/snowboarding. This will nmally include: A windproof anak/ski jacket one-piece suit. Ski pants equivalent. Jeans must not be wn Gloves mitts. A hat plus helmets f Snowboarding and Snowblading One me sweaters. (Two thin ones are better than one thick sweater) Skiers/snowboarders must not wear sunglasses goggles containing glass lenses. On artificial slopes clothing would nmally include: Warm clothing that covers legs and arms. Gloves mitts Check with the Artificial Ski Slope what additional protective padding must be wn (knee, elbow pads etc) and what is available from them. On slopes where tows will be used, skiers/snowboarders must not wear any loose clothing which may get caught in the tow e.g., no scarves. (v) Helmets - Skiing. When a rest recommends that helmets be wn, you must comply with this guidance. Helmets - Snowboarding Snowblading. Helmets must be wn N.B Italian rests now require all who are 14 yrs old younger to wear helmets when skiing (vi) (vii) All equipment should be regularly inspected by competent and trained staff. Inspections should be recded. The visit leader should also ensure that equipment is checked pri to use. Snowboarding. (a) Initial training must include guidance on the safest way to fall (b) Half pipes can only be used when students are under Instruction by fully qualified Snowboarding Instructs (viii) Students must not practise at the foot of crowded slopes. (ix) When practising students are only permitted to snowboard on runs, which he/she has previously skied under the guidance of a qualified instruct.
(x) It is the responsibility of the party leader to ensure that all of his/her party is safely off the mountain well befe dusk. 2.14.11 Snowspts - General Guidance and Precautions (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) The benefit of preliminary training cannot be over-stressed. Every efft should be made to ensure that all beginner snow skiing groups receive at least two artificial ski slope sessions befe embarking on snow. Leaders should be aware of the effect of the glare of sunlight on snow and insist all students take sunglasses goggles and a supply of high screen fact sun cream. It is imptant that the visit leader should establish a good liaison with the resident rest instructs and establish that the needs of his/her particular group are known. He/she will know the individuals of the group and it is imptant that he/she monits their instruction during the course of the skiing sessions. If necessary students may need to be changed to different groups a change of emphasis rate of progression be requested of rest instructs. Visit leaders should ensure that all of their group are completely clear regarding the accident/first aid procedures at their particular rest. Visit Leaders should ensure that all of their group are completely clear regarding ski lift arrangements at their particular rest. In particular, stress should be laid on the times that lifts stop operating queues fm. Misunderstanding could result in students being stranded halfway up the mountain. Care should be taken to ensure that all participants consume an adequate and nutritious diet and get adequate sleep. (vii) Instruction: It is strongly recommended that all groups of Secondary aged students, 11-18 years, should book f four hours instruction each day with the local ski school. F those under 11 years, two hours is me appropriate. 2.14.12 Skiing - Other Locations Skiing at locations other than those stated on the LEA Approval fm is permitted if the group are under the Instruction of qualified Instructs and with the approval of the Head of the local Ski school (the Instructs employer) Supervised skiing/snowboarding led by school/youth centre staff at locations other than those stated on the LEA Approval fm is not permitted without gaining written permission from the Outdo Education Officer Adviser. Permission will be based on the leaders experience and training as qualifying him/her to lead groups in the requested location/s and will be subject to the approval of the Head of the local Ski School Only groups led by local Ski School Instructs may ski/snowboard off the piste. (Please Note: You must also check that your school journey insurance policy covers this type of activity.)
2.14.13 General Notes Pastal responsibility The pastal responsibility f the individuals within a group at all times rests with the Visit Leader. He/she also has responsibility f safety, apart from the precise period of instruction being given by a qualified ski instruct. The Visit Leader must monit the progress of the students during their lessons and liase with the ski school as required. Skiing in USA and Canada - Waivers/Disclaimers/Indemnities. Visit Leaders MUST NOT sign any waivers disclaimers on behalf of parents. Students under the age of 18yrs MUST NOT sign waivers/disclaimers. The Outdo Education Unit endeavours to establish if any waivers are to be signed pri to skiing as part of our vetting service, but we are still hearing of some rests that ask you to sign away any rights even if the provider is found to be negligent. Please contact the Outdo Education Unit befe making any booking to check on the rests where this issue is current. Useful Address Snowspt UK Area Library Building, Queensway Mall, The Cnbow, Halesowen, West Midlands. B63 4AJ Tel: 0121 501 2314 Fax: 0121 585 6448 email: web@snowsptengland.g.uk www.snowsptengland.g.uk Updated October 2005