Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 12:21 AM AWST
23/07/2026 12:21 AM AWST
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Overnight ski tour in difficult terrain using advanced ski touring skills
Overnight ski tour in difficult terrain using advanced ski touring skills
Unit of competency
National Code
SISOSKT407A
SISOSKT407A
State Code
D6491
D6491
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Transition (Deleted)
Transition (Deleted)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/10/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
15/10/2014
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to participate in overnight ski tours in difficult terrain using advanced ski touring skills. This may include non patrolled areas which are untracked and un-groomed.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan for the ski touring activity.
- 1.1. Identify and plan food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and the conditions of the activity.
- 1.2. Address packaging and storage considerations of different foods when menu planning.
- 1.3. Identify an appropriate activity site and route according to contextual issues, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.4. Access relevantsources to interpret weather and environmental information and determine activity plans.
- 1.5. Identify potential hazards associated with ski touring away from patrolled areas.
2. Select equipment.
- 2.1. Select equipment after consideration of construction features and contextual issues, and check serviceability.
- 2.2. Adjust and fit equipment, according to manufacturer's specifications to ensure comfort and safety.
- 2.3. Select personal clothing according to location and activity requirements.
- 2.4. Pack and carry or tow an overnight pack or sled which includes clothing and minimum supplies to meet safety requirements and minimise hazards and emergencies.
3. Perform skiing techniques whilst ski touring.
- 3.1. Select and execute skiing techniques according to terrain, weather and snow conditions.
- 3.2. Link together advancedturns through the fall-line under a range of snow conditions, with speed and turn-shape for conditions and terrain.
- 3.3. Chose the angle of climb and selection of slope, and complete climbs, taking into account the terrain, weather and snow conditions.
- 3.4. Select the method of climbing and turning according to skier's needs and contextual issues.
- 3.5. Adhere to safe ski touring practices and approach hazards in a safe manner, minimising risks to self and group where possible.
- 3.6. Take measures to guard personal safety and safety of others while skiing on difficult terrain.
4. Evaluate skiing activity.
- 4.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of the activity.
- 4.2. Identify improvements for future ski touring experiences.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Food and water requirements may include:
menu planning and preparation
range of foods.
Principles of nutrition may include:
food groups
dietary guidelines
individual food requirements and allergies.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
emergency procedures
snowsport area signs and regulations
Alpine Responsibility Code
code of ethics.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
ski patrol
land managers or agencies
local knowledge.
Weather and environmental information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
event warnings
river level
synoptic charts.
Hazards may include:
poor visibility
temperature extremes
difficult snow conditions
dense vegetation
group management hazards.
Equipment may include:
towing skis
ski boots
ski poles
ski bindings
backpack or sled to carry overnight provisions
overnight equipment
navigation equipment
sunglasses or goggles
first aid equipment
search and rescue equipment
communications equipment.
Comfort and safety may include:
length, weight and width of ski
grip and glide zones of skis
flex and shape of ski
edges tuned
free-heel
longitudinal rigidity
surfaces waxed and or cleaned
length of poles and basket type
bindings and boots in good working order.
Minimum supplies may include:
waterproof clothing
whistle
food and water
first aid kit
map and compass
stove and fuel
torch
space blanket
repair kit
small shelter
sleeping bag
sleeping mat
snow shovel
mobile phone or EPIRB or PLB.
Skiing skills must include:
kick and tacking turns
diagonal stride
snow plough, glide, brake and turn
step turns
double pole
side slipping
herringbone
traverse
self arrest
stopping
stem-turns
linked telemark turns or linked parallel turns.
Snow conditions may include:
surface snow
snow stability
steepness of slope
run-out
terrain features
visibility
wind
sun
human alteration
aspect
vegetation.
Advanced turns may include:
linked telemark turns
linked parallel turns.
Range of snow conditions may include:
powder
corn
crust
soft, wet snow
icy snow
solid base with softening surface.
Turn-shape may include:
long radius
medium radius
short radius.
Method of climbing and turning may include:
kick-turns
wedge turns
parallel turn
jump turns
traverse
side-step
herringbone
diagonal stride.
Skier's needs may include:
physical
psychological
efficiency of energy
locational goal.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment misuse.
Safety of others may include:
speed
distance from other skiers.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
weather
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
instructional technique
assessment technique
group feedback
directing techniques
rescue techniques employed.
Food and water requirements may include:
menu planning and preparation
range of foods.
Principles of nutrition may include:
food groups
dietary guidelines
individual food requirements and allergies.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
emergency procedures
snowsport area signs and regulations
Alpine Responsibility Code
code of ethics.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
ski patrol
land managers or agencies
local knowledge.
Weather and environmental information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
event warnings
river level
synoptic charts.
Hazards may include:
poor visibility
temperature extremes
difficult snow conditions
dense vegetation
group management hazards.
Equipment may include:
towing skis
ski boots
ski poles
ski bindings
backpack or sled to carry overnight provisions
overnight equipment
navigation equipment
sunglasses or goggles
first aid equipment
search and rescue equipment
communications equipment.
Comfort and safety may include:
length, weight and width of ski
grip and glide zones of skis
flex and shape of ski
edges tuned
free-heel
longitudinal rigidity
surfaces waxed and or cleaned
length of poles and basket type
bindings and boots in good working order.
Minimum supplies may include:
waterproof clothing
whistle
food and water
first aid kit
map and compass
stove and fuel
torch
space blanket
repair kit
small shelter
sleeping bag
sleeping mat
snow shovel
mobile phone or EPIRB or PLB.
Skiing skills must include:
kick and tacking turns
diagonal stride
snow plough, glide, brake and turn
step turns
double pole
side slipping
herringbone
traverse
self arrest
stopping
stem-turns
linked telemark turns or linked parallel turns.
Snow conditions may include:
surface snow
snow stability
steepness of slope
run-out
terrain features
visibility
wind
sun
human alteration
aspect
vegetation.
Advanced turns may include:
linked telemark turns
linked parallel turns.
Range of snow conditions may include:
powder
corn
crust
soft, wet snow
icy snow
solid base with softening surface.
Turn-shape may include:
long radius
medium radius
short radius.
Method of climbing and turning may include:
kick-turns
wedge turns
parallel turn
jump turns
traverse
side-step
herringbone
diagonal stride.
Skier's needs may include:
physical
psychological
efficiency of energy
locational goal.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment misuse.
Safety of others may include:
speed
distance from other skiers.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
weather
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
instructional technique
assessment technique
group feedback
directing techniques
rescue techniques employed.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
plans equipment and supply requirements appropriate to the conditions and duration of the overnight ski touring activity
applies to the full range of ski towing skills to and advanced level of technique when moving up and downill on slopes angled up to and including 25 degrees.
evaluates and reflects on own skiing performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in advanced overnight ski touring activities in non patrolled areas with untracked and un-groomed snow to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a suitable non patrolled ski touring location with untracked and un-groomed slopes angled up to and including 25 degrees
ski touring, safety, first aid, overnight and navigation equipment
resources and information to plan and prepare for the overnight ski touring activity.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of overnight ski touring strategies and techniques
observation of safe participation and demonstration of advanced ski touring skills, such as the application of a variety of climbing and turning methods while carrying a back pack or towing a sled in difficult terrain
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended. Industry has determined that this unit must be assessed with the following unit:
SISOOPS202A Use and maintain a temporary or overnight site.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
plans equipment and supply requirements appropriate to the conditions and duration of the overnight ski touring activity
applies to the full range of ski towing skills to and advanced level of technique when moving up and downill on slopes angled up to and including 25 degrees.
evaluates and reflects on own skiing performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in advanced overnight ski touring activities in non patrolled areas with untracked and un-groomed snow to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a suitable non patrolled ski touring location with untracked and un-groomed slopes angled up to and including 25 degrees
ski touring, safety, first aid, overnight and navigation equipment
resources and information to plan and prepare for the overnight ski touring activity.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of overnight ski touring strategies and techniques
observation of safe participation and demonstration of advanced ski touring skills, such as the application of a variety of climbing and turning methods while carrying a back pack or towing a sled in difficult terrain
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended. Industry has determined that this unit must be assessed with the following unit:
SISOOPS202A Use and maintain a temporary or overnight site.
No information
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J768 | SIS40313 | Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |
| D445 | SIS50310 | Diploma of Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |
| AB473 | SISSS00088 | Skiing Guide Overnight Ski Touring | Skill set |