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Title / Demonstrate skiing or snowboarding skills for patrol
Level / 4 / Credits / 20
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to perform downhill techniques on any steep snowsport area terrain over a range of snow conditions, and adhere to safe snowsport practices.
Classification / Snowsport > Snowsport Area Operations
Available grade / Achieved
Guidance Information
1People achieving this unit standard are being assessed for their ability to ski with strength and control. The skiing standard required for patrolling does not require the same precision of technique required of those undertaking Unit 4591,Alpine ski downhill on intermediate terrain, Unit 4592, Alpine ski downhill on advanced terrain, or Unit 4593, Alpine ski downhill off-piste, which form the basis of the technical skiing components of ski instructor qualifications.
2During the assessment the candidate must demonstrate competence whilst wearing a backpack that contains a shovel, probe and first aid kit; or patrol vest and shovel.
3This unit standard must be assessed on steep snowsport area terrain that is 35-45 degrees in angle.
4All activities must comply with the policies, procedures, and requirements of the enterprises involved and any relevant environmental, legislative and/or regulatory requirements which include but are not limited to the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 (HSE), Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Act 2001, and their subsequent amendments and associated regulations.
5The Snow Safety Code assumes that there is risk inherent in the sport of skiing (alpine, telemark, snowboarding), and that individuals must take responsibility for their behaviour in order to minimise that risk to themselves and to others. The code (in its various forms) is promoted within all snowsport areas and is enforced, where necessary, by patrollers and snowsport area management. For more information on the Snow Safety Code promoted by the Ski Areas Association of New Zealand, contact the New Zealand Snowsports Council, PO Box 27501, Wellington.
6There are minimum assessor requirements for assessment against this unit standard. The details of these requirements are available on the Skills Active website
Outcomes and performance criteria
Outcome 1
Perform downhill techniques on any steep snowsport area terrain over a range of snow conditions.
Rangesnow conditions must include – crust, crud, icy snow;
snow conditions may include – powder, packed powder.
Performance criteria
1.1Side-slipping, and kick-turns with traverses, are demonstrated off-piste on a slope with a safe run-out zone.
1.2Turns are linked together, on- and off-piste using edge to edge control.
1.3Turn-shape is adapted for conditions and terrain.
Rangelong-radius, medium-radius, short-radius.
1.4Skiing or snowboarding techniques are selected and used to control speed according to terrain and snow conditions.
Rangetechniques – side-slip, kick-turn or switch, and traverse, stopping;
skiing techniques may include – parallel turns;
control speed – increase, maintain, decrease speed.
1.5A free run, on- and off-piste is controlled with dynamic balance, taking into account the terrain and snow conditions.
Rangedynamic balance – maintaining equilibrium while rapidly changing speed and/or direction, or abruptly changing the orientation of the body relative to the ski or board;
terrain and conditions – run-out, terrain features, steepness of slope, visibility, surface snow conditions.
1.6Skiing or boarding techniques are executed using a basic stance that is skeletally strong and directs the skier's centre of mass through the waist of the ski or board.
Outcome 2
Adhere to safe snowsport practices.
Performance criteria
2.1Damaged or unsafe equipment is identified and action taken to maintain snowsport equipment to ensure safety and working performance of equipment.
Rangewaxing of ski surfaces, sharpening of edges, bindings, boots.
2.2Skiing or boarding skills are used to avoid hazards, taking into account snow and weather conditions.
Rangehazards – other slope users, lift queues, snowsport area machinery and signage, bluffs, rocks, other environmental hazards;
snow and weather conditions – surface snow, snow stability, steepness of slope, run-out, terrain features, visibility.
2.3The Snow Safety Code is explained, and work practice complies with code.
Replacement information / This unit standard was replaced by unit standard 30836.This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 18 June 1995 / 31 December 2020
Revision / 2 / 24 July 1996 / 31 December 2020
Revision / 3 / 19 February 1998 / 31 December 2020
Review / 4 / 28 March 2001 / 31 December 2020
Review / 5 / 29 June 2005 / 31 December 2020
Review / 6 / 14 December 2017 / 31 December 2020
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0050
This CMR can be accessed at
Skills Active Aotearoa LimitedSSB Code 101576 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018 / / New Zealand Qualifications Aut