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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
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.

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 Snowsport Scotland First Aid Requirements must be sent to Snowsport Scotland.