SNOWSPORTS LEADER

ON PISTE SNOWSPORTS LEADER

The 1-day on-piste leader training course offers an accessible entry level qualification that licenses the holder to lead individuals or groups on-piste in Scottish ski areas.

Note: The qualification does not permit the holder to deliver instruction or coaching. All work must be voluntary and be conducted under the direction of a higher-qualified instructor or head coach in a club, school, or other organisation.

COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Course attendees must be proficient at parallel turns of varying radius, on red runs in all on-piste conditions.

WHAT’S COVERED:

Attendees will be trained and assessed in safe group management, leading techniques and incident management, on-piste in resort.

For anyone interested in ultimately becoming a coach or instructor this is a great starting point. Courses start at just £69 for the day’s training and are open to anyone from 14 years upwards (though you need to be 16 before you can become licensed).

PLEASE NOTE:

The qualification does not permit the holder to deliver instruction or coaching. All work must be voluntary and be conducted under the direction of a higher-qualified instructor or head coach in a club, school, or other organisation.

LEVEL 2 SIDECOUNTRY SNOWSPORTS LEADER

The 5-day Sidecountry leader qualification licenses candidates to lead parties, on and off-piste within a patrolled UK ski resort. All off-piste descents should be easily accessible from the lift and lead directly to mechanical uplift.

You must be competent on black marked runs and off-piste terrain, able to ski or snowboard the fall line with flow, controlling line and speed in variable conditions.

COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum Standard required of an ability to ride with a variety of speeds and lines whilst maintaining flow during riding on red run-angled terrain in favourable off-piste conditions.

For anyone interested in becoming a backcountry leader, this is the place to start. To book your place for 2025, click here.

LEVEL 3 SENIOR PERFORMANCE COACH

The 6 day Backcountry leader is licensed to lead snowsports groups on mountain journeys beyond the boundary of a patrolled UK ski resort.  The award focuses around the use of skis, boards, skins and ski crampons for safe travel. It does not include terrain where technical equipment such as axe, crampons or rope may be in needed.

You must ensure that you have either completed the sidecountry leader qualification or applied for recognition of equivalent off-piste safety awards.

COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum Standard required of an ability to ride with a variety of speeds and lines whilst maintaining flow during riding on black run-angled terrain in favourable off-piste conditions.

For anyone interested in becoming a mountain snowsports leader, this is the next step. To book your place for 2025, click here.

LEVEL 4 NATIONAL PERFORMANCE COACH

The 6 day MSL is the highest level of UKSS leadership award and licenses candidates to both lead, support and instruct individuals and groups with the aim of empowering self-sufficient backcountry skiers and Snowboarders. The award includes terrain where technical equipment such as axe, crampons and rope may be needed.

You must ensure that you have either completed the backcountry leader qualification or applied for recognition of equivalent off-piste safety awards

COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum Standard required of an ability to ride with a variety of speeds and lines whilst maintaining flow during riding on steep black run-angled terrain in favourable and unfavourable off-piste conditions.

For anyone interested in achieving the highest available qualification in the backcountry, this is the final step. To book your place for 2025, click here.

Always fancied the idea of spending your days leading groups on your skis or snowboard?

Then why not get trained as a Snowsport Leader…

Before attending the course candidates must first register as a coach member of Snowsport Scotland

THE PROCESS

Ensure that they are technically proficient, have the right equipment and have the relevant qualifications (as detailed above)

Candidates should then sign up to attend the training course which will be delivered by an appointed Snowsport Scotland Tutor. The Backcountry and Mountain Leadership courses will be delivered by Glenmore Lodge.

At the end of the training the tutor will confirm to the candidate if they are the required level of competency and provide them with 2 documents:-

  • An action plan detailing the skills and areas they need to work on

  • A logbook of tasks and work experience that must be completed in a working club

Once the candidate has completed all the logbook tasks and can demonstrate competence in all the requisite skills they can be approved by their tutor for licensing.

BECOMING LICENSED

To become licensed by the governing body candidates must also ensure they hold:

  • A current 2-day outdoor first aid training certificate (coaches get £25 off BASP courses)

  • An online safeguarding and child protection training certificate

  • Coach Clean e-learning course from UKAD (from L2)

  • Be at the required technical performance level and passed the relevant assessment days

  • Be 18 years of age or older

  • Annual membership with Snowsport Scotland

…AND REVALIDATING

After 3 years, you will need to revalidate your license by providing: