Snow Sports Merit BadgePresented by: Curtis D. Stansfield

Snow Sports Merit Badge• Req. #1: Discuss winter sports safety, and show that you know

first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while skiing, including hypothermia, shock, dehydration, sunburn, fractures, bruises, sprains, and strains.

• Tell how to apply splints.

Snow Sports Merit Badge• Req. #2: Explain why every skier should be prepared to

render first aid in the event of a skiing accident.• In any serious accident you should first ensure the safety of the injured skier,

planting a pair of crossed skis above the accident site to warn others and mark the location. Then call the rescue service. One person should remain with the victim.

• Keep the victim warm, remove skis but not boots, and do not give any alcohol. If there is any possibility of a spine or neck injury do not attempt to move them. Obvious bleeding should be staunched by direct pressure on the bleeding point and elevation if possible. Unconscious skiers should be carefully laid on their side, ensuring their mouth is empty of snow and vomit. If there is no palpable pulse or breathing, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation is needed.

• Minor injuries on the slopes are much more common. Leg injuries, even if quite trivial, often entail a ride down in the rescue sledge (or blood wagon), as do most shoulder dislocations or broken arms. Arm injuries should be strapped with a scarf or jumper to minimize movement until medical advice can be sought, and legs splinted, using ski poles if necessary.

Snow Sports Merit Badge• Req. #3: Explain the procedure used to report an accident to the local ski patrol for

the area where you usually ski.

• Req. #4: Tell the meaning of the Your Responsibility Code for skiers and snowboarders.

• Explain why you must follow this code. • Priority order: Safety-Fun-Learning• Snow sport Responsibility Code • - Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects• - People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.• - You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible to on-coming skiers.• - Whenever starting or merging into a trail, look both directions and yield to others.• - Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails & out of closed areas.• - When skiing at a downhill ski area use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.• - Prior to using any lift, you must have the ability to load, ride and unload safely.

Snow Sports Merit Badge• Ten Rules of Conduct

1. RESPECT - Behave in such a way that you do not endanger others using the slopes. Make sure your equipment is appropriate and not defect as it can be part of the problem. Newly developed equipment should be tried out in a safe place before getting into the traffic with it. Bad equipment is no excuse for endangering others.

2. CONTROL - Adapt the manner and speed of your skiing to your ability, the general conditions on the mountain and the amount of traffic on the slopes. Stay in control and pay attention to what is ahead of you and slow down in crowded areas.

3. CHOICE OF ROUTE - The skier/snowboarder in front has priority - do not endanger those ahead of you: slow down if you intend to go around. Skiing is a go-where-you-please sport so carefully go around anyone, especially those less experienced or having trouble.

4. OVERTAKING - Leave plenty of space when overtaking so the other person doesn't have to get out of your way. They were there first - respect them even if they are stopped.

5. ENTERING AND STARTING - Look up and down the mountain each time brfore starting or entering a marked run and make sure you are not endangering yourself or others. If you have to enter slowly, then do it.

6. STOPPING - Do not stop in narrow places or where or where it is hard for you to be easily seen. If you fall in such a place, move as quickly as possible out of the way. If you want to stop or have to stop, do it at the side of the trail.

7. CLIMBING - When climbing up or down always keep to the side of the trail. Someone moving against the general flow of traffic is always a danger for those coming down.

8. SIGNS - Obey all signs and markings (they are there for your safety). A skier can ski on any slope he/she chooses with any degree of difficulty but if a sign says a trail is closed, do not go there.

9. ASSISTANCE - In the case of accidents provide help and alert the rescue service - this is the job of anyone on the slopes.

10. IDENTIFICATION - All those involved in an accident, including witnesses, should exchange names and addresses. It is your duty to do so if you even witness an accident.

Snow Sports Merit Badge• Req. #5: Complete all of the requirements for ONE of the following options:

• downhill (Alpine) skiing• cross-country (Nordic)

• snowboarding.

Snow Sports Merit BadgeDownhill (Alpine) Skiing• A. Show how to use and maintain your own release bindings

and explain the use of two others. • B. Explain the international DIN standard and what it means

to skiers. • DIN Settings This scale - otherwise known as the;

“Deutsche Industry Norm” - is standardized across all makes of bindings. The appropriate setting depends on your weight, boot size, height and level of skiing. Any injuries should also be taken into account. Front and rear bindings tend to be set on the same number and both skis are usually set the same. Injuries may affect these.

Snow Sports Merit Badge• As a guideline the following chart can be used:

DIN Chart ExampleWeight 77 88 99 110 121 132 143 154 165

DIN 3 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0

• I strongly advise that you get a qualified or experienced technician to set your bindings and always get it done with your own ski boot.• Most makes of binding consist of three components: a heel-piece, a toe-piece and a brake. Sometimes the heel and toe are mounted separately; sometimes they are attached on one plate. • In terms of safety, bindings are the most important piece of your equipment. • They need to hold the foot firmly to the ski and yet be sensitive enough to release should a fall put excessive strain on your leg. • They need to retain enough elasticity to pull your boot back to the center of the ski in the event of a near-release.

• Bindings are well-designed, complex pieces of machinery and need to be set correctly if they are to give maximum security. Abinding that releases early can be just as dangerous as a binding that doesn't open at all.

• To set a binding, the position of the heel piece must first be adjusted for correct forward pressure. The height of the toe piece is adjusted next, so that the anti-friction device (AFD) can effectively release the boot when necessary. If applicable, the wings on the toe piece are then adjusted so that your boots are centered.

• Finally, the DIN settings are adjusted.

Snow Sports Merit BadgeSnow Sports Merit Badge• Heel-piece: This releases upwards, opening in a forward

fall. Some models offer a diagonal or sideways heel release

• Toe-piece: This allows sideways release in the event of a twisting fall. A Teflon anti-friction pad under the toe allows the boot to slide easily even when your weight is pushing down on it during a fall.

• Brakes: When you step in, the brake lifts out of the snow. If your binding releases, the brake springs back down, preventing the ski from escaping down the mountain and causing injury to other skiers.

• All bindings now have some sort of plate mounted between the ski and the actual binding. The resulting extra height increases the leverage you have onto your edges. It also helps to prevent 'booting out' - a term used to describe what happens when you go over onto your edge and your boot touches the snow.

• Some of these plates are also designed to flex with the ski, reducing the dead spot under the binding and therefore improving the snow contact.

Snow Sports Merit Badge• C. Explain the American Teaching System and a basic snow-skiing

progression. • A program, which aims to train and assess ski instructors, addresses three questions. Who are we

going to teach? What are we going to teach? And how are we going to teach? The American Teaching System (ATS), consisting of the Learning Partnership and the Skiing Model centered on student goals, needs and abilities, has provided a simple but useful format for any aspiring instructor. ATS still forms the basis for any type of instructor verification. Excellent complete coverage of teaching and technical methodology exists elsewhere in PSIA and snow sport literature.

A. Individual characteristics and backgrounds• Past experiences with learning• Age, sex, nationality, athletic ability, body type• Past experiences with skiing• Intelligence, common sense• Physical abilities/disabilities• Level of kinesthetic awareness• Psychological factors (positive/negative)• Range of attention (focus, concentration, and distractibility)• Perceptual, motor and intellectual attributes• Participation, knowledge and understanding of other sports

Snow Sports Merit Badge• C. Explain the American Teaching System and a basic snow-skiing

progression.

B. Learning preferences• Sensory preference: visual, auditory or kinesthetic (VAK)• Learning style preference: innovative, analytical, dynamic learners; active experimenters.• Gardener’s Multiple Intelligence type: Verbal-Linguistic, Logical- Mathematical, Spatial, Bodily-

Kinesthetic, Musical-Rhythmic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal ( Core Concepts,2001)]• Process versus outcome orientation• Patience (low, medium, high)• Amount of information needed (low, medium, high)• Degree of interpersonal control required in the learning environment• Feedback (intrinsic or extrinsic) and reinforcement (positive, negative, or equal amounts of each) needed• Whole versus progressive part approach• Expressiveness (ability to give verbal and physical feedback)• Gifted/disabled • Group learning/individual learning

Snow Sports Merit Badge• C. Explain the American Teaching System and a basic snow-skiing

progression.

C. Motivation• Intrinsic/extrinsic factors• Process or outcome• Future application and transfer• Personal goals (style, function, perfection, security, social)• Individual needs (physiological, security, social, esteem and growth)• Fear of success and/or failure• Trying hard and moving rapidly versus proceeding cautiously and accurately• State of readiness

D. Attitudes and values• Openness, willingness, ability and capacity to change and grow

• Attitude toward learning, teaching, and instructors

Snow Sports Merit Badge• Knowledge, Skills, and Attitude

• Ski instructors must have the proper Knowledge, Skills, and Attitude to promote the sport of Skiing. (Patients plays a large role in a students success) Students are usually frustrated easily, and give up quickly. Attitude and encouragement play significant roles in making skiing enjoyable.

• Beginner/Novice (Green Circles) • Basic level of instruction. Introduction to equipment, wearing of Ski’s, Boots, etc Proper

Stance, Balance Points, Weight Distribution, and Controlled Movement down very shallow slopes.

Note: Do not leave this area until you can control your speed and movement, if you cannot stop or turn efficiently you are a hazard to yourself and anyone else on the slopes.

• Intermediate (Blue Squares)• Slightly more advanced level of instruction. An individual lesson can help a lot. Getting away

from wedge turning (Parallel Skiing), Side Stop (Hockey Stop) and Controlled Skiing in Intermediate terrain.

• Advanced (Black Diamond)• Much more advanced skiing techniques (Moguls, Racing, Freestyle Terrain, and Ariel

Maneuvers) Teaching methods are taught typically by a coach or a professional in this sport.

• Expert (Double Black Diamond)• Backcountry skiing (glades, bowls, powder and typically very steep terrain)

Snow Sports Merit Badge• C1. Explain and discuss the following:

• Five types of Alpine skis • The right pair of skis should feel like part of your body. The wrong pair can seem

viciously uncooperative. You need to take a lot of time and effort to get the right pair that will suit your style and needs exactly. Shorter Skis are easier to learn on

• Alpine skis love the hard groomed pistes. They're precise, fast and high performing. Suited to advanced through to race levels. Free ride skis are all mountain animals that love the tough conditions. They float through powder, cut through crud and slice through the slush. Usually 50% on-piste, 50% off-piste, they are suitable for advanced, expert race skiers.

• All mountain, all terrain bandits are less demanding than the Free ride skis. They're easy to handle off the piste, but still provide good performance on the piste. 70% on-piste and 30% off-piste, these skis are suited to advanced and expert skiers.

• All mountain trailblazers are just that. They're easy turning piste carvers that love blazing around the blues and reds. Suited to beginners and intermediates through to advanced skiers.

• Just Cruising are very easy turning beginner and intermediate carving skis. They're perfect for cruising along blues and greens.

• Carving carv-a-holics are short, fun, extreme carving skis. They will perform best ifused by advanced and expert skiers.

• Nu School means more of the funky stuff - twin tips, ski boards and jumping skis. They're fun skis for the fun parks and are guaranteed to leave you smiling.

Snow Sports Merit Badge• C2. Explain and discuss the following:

• Telemark skis • Traditional Telemark skis are soft, with long tips. They are narrower than Alpine skis, but broader than cross country. They may have

edges for the whole length of the ski, or just for the part under the foot. Length would be 20-30cm longer than your height.• Skis• Telemark skis are similar to alpine skis, and many Telemarkers use alpine skis. In recent years, they have become significantly

wider. However, nowadays most telemark skiers use alpine skis, very often choosing extreme carving or free skiing skis and simply mounting telemark bindings on them.

• Boots• Leather boots are still used by some, but durable polymer is now the usual choice. Polymer boots feature a bellows above the toes to

allow the necessary flex for a telemark turn. All standard telemark boots have a trapezoidal "duckbill" at the front, which interfaces with the binding. While most telemark skiers use cables to attach boots to bindings, the duckbill has three reinforced holes in the bottom to attach three-pin bindings. As a general trend, telemark boot makers have been creating stiffer plastic boots each year, with more buckles.

• Bindings• Bindings hold the Telemark boot to the ski by the toe only. The oldest version of manufactured bindings, so called three-pin bindings,

had three pins pointing up from the ski for which boots had matching holes. The duckbill was placed on top of the pins and held down with a locking mechanism.

• Later, cable bindings that have a spring-loaded cable to hold the boot in the binding became popular. These have a socket that the duckbill fits into, but usually no pins. The spring-loaded cable is stretched onto the boot heel by a throw.

• Cable bindings are stronger than three-pin bindings and offer more control in turns, but they are heavier and therefore not as suitable for cross-country skiing.

• Also available are hinged plate bindings, combining the lateral stiffness of a traditional alpine binding with the flexibility of a traditional Telemark binding. This version, however, is used mostly for alpine touring, and to be locked down during downhill and ski with alpine downhill technique

• Telemark bindings have followed the trend of boots, becoming more performance-oriented and stronger to stand up to the large, stiff boots and skis. Most current bindings fit the 75mm "nordic norm" (refers to the width of the toe duckbill), however, binding manufacturers have started to experiment with newer boot-binding interface methods.

• Skins• For those taking to the wilderness, climbing "skins" (synthetic or mohair rather than sealskin) are used on the bottom of the ski to

climb uphill. "Harscheisen" (ski crampons — also called "couteau" or "cortelli") are sometimes used to assist when skinning on hard, icy surfaces.

Snow Sports Merit Badge• C3. Explain and discuss the following:

• Snowboards • Buying a snowboard these days can be confusing, but with the guidelines below things should be

easier. First thing to do is set your budget, then go out and have some fun. • Research - Read through buyers' guides and reviews to see what's available. Find a reputable

shop that is staffed by boarders. • Ability - Assess your level honestly or you could find yourself careering out of control. • Type - It's very important to go for a board that suits you, so think about what type of boarding you

are going to do most of the time and go for a board in that range. • Length - The type of boarding you do, your height and your weight are used as a guideline. In

general, taller heavier men take longer boards than smaller, lighter men and women. Freeriderstend to go for longer boards, as do riders who want stability. Fun park freestylers go for shorter boards.

• Width - Riders with larger feet now have an extensive choice of wider boards. This prevents toes and heels catching the snow when the board is on an edge. Freeriders may also appreciate a wider board for increased stability and flotation. However, as wider boards tend to be much slower edge to edge, many riders prefer a narrower board. Riders with bigger feet that still want the precision of a narrower board can set their binding angles steeper.

• Flex - Each board has its own individual flex pattern and, as a general guideline, the more experienced you are, the stiffer the board you will be able to cope with.

• Demo boards - It may be possible to demo a board before buying it. But choice may be limited and the state of the board should be taken into consideration.

• Finally - Don't buy a board just because you like its funky graphics...

Snow Sports Merit Badge• D. Name the major ski organizations in the United States and explain their functions.

• United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA)• Is the national governing body for Olympic skiing and snowboarding. Founded in 1905, the nearly century-old

organization provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders who share an Olympic dream.

• International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA) • The ISIA promotes collaboration in respect of Ski Technique, methodology, didactics and the question of

safety ensuring the highest standards of professional practice.• US Demonstration Skiing Association

• Dedicated to the development of all Synchro Skiing/Riding, including the promotion of our athletes and the development of funding to support them, the promotion of events designed to educate both the public and the snow sports industry and the creation of new snow sports environments combining education, competition, the uniqueness of team skiing and pure visual art."

• International Free Skiers Association (IFSA)•

Is for anyone interested in the free skiing movement. The IFSA family was founded to support the growth and success of the sport and lifestyle of free skiing.

• National Ski Council Federation (NSCF)• Is made up of ski councils and ski clubs throughout United States that have chosen to belong to the National

Ski Council Federation. Ski councils regionally serve member ski clubs that belong to that council.• National Standard Race (NASTAR)

• Racing is a program where recreational skiers of all ages and abilities can test their skills on courses set up at resorts across the country.

• Any Others?

Snow Sports Merit Badge• E. Explain the importance of strength, endurance, and flexibility in downhill

skiing. Demonstrate exercises and activities you can do to get fit for skiing.• Being in good shape will improve on hill performance and make your skiing

and other sports activities safer and more enjoyable.• F. Do the following:

• Present yourself properly clothed and equipped for downhill skiing. Discuss how the clothing you have chosen will keep you warm.

• Demonstrate two ways to carry skis and poles safely and easily.

• G. Demonstrate how to ride one kind of lift and explain how to ride two

others.• Chair Lift• Gondola• Tow Rope• T-Bar• Surface Lift

Snow Sports Merit Badge• Explain the international trail-marking system.

Trail Rating Symbol Level of Difficulty Description

Green Circle Easiest The easiest pistes at a mountain. Green Circle trails are generally wide and groomed, typically with slope gradients ranging from 6% to 25% (a 100% slope is a 45 degree angle). Typically Green Circle Trails are also the widest.

Blue Square Intermediate

Intermediate difficulty slopes with grades commonly ranging from 25% to 40%. These slopes are usually groomed and are narrower than Green Circle Trails. Blue Square runs comprise the bulk of pistes at most ski areas, and are usually among the most heavily-trafficked.

Black Diamond Difficult

Among the most difficult at a given mountain. Black Diamond trails tend to be steep (typically 40% and up) and narrow with potential obsticles (rocks, trees, etc..) and may or may not be groomed, though the introduction of winch-cats has made the grooming of steep slopes both possible and more frequent.

Double Black Diamond Expert

These trails are even more difficult than Black Diamond, due to exceptionally steep slopes and other hazards such as narrower trails, exposure to wind, and the presence of obstacles such as steep drop-offs or trees. They are intended only for the most experienced skiers.

Variations Various

Variations such as doubling a symbol to indicate increased difficulty, or combining two different symbols to indicate intermediate difficulty are occasionally used. One example is a diamond overlapping a square to indicate a trail rating between a Blue Square and a Black Diamond.

Terrain Parks Various

Terrain parks are whole or portions of trails that can offer a variety of jumps, half-pipes, and other special "extreme" sporting obstacles beyond traditional moguls. The trails are typically represented by an orange rectangle with rounded corners. Usually, the terrain park will carry its own trail rating, indicating the level of challenge. A terrain park with a Black Diamond or Double Black Diamond rating would contain greater and more challenging obstacles than a park with a Blue Square rating.

Snow Sports Merit Badge• General Maintenance of Equipment:

• Wax• Files (to sharpen ski or board edges).• Corrosion (inspection).• Storage (Boots, Skis, and other gear).• Purchasing of gear.

Snow Sports Merit Badge• At the Ski Resort we will do the following:

• I. On a gentle slope, demonstrate some of the beginning maneuvers learned in skiing. Include the straight run, gliding wedge, wedge stop, sidestep, and herringbone maneuvers.

• J. On slightly steeper terrain, show linked wedge turns. • K. On a moderate slope, demonstrate five to 10 christies (turns in

succession). • L. Make a controlled run down an intermediate slope and demonstrate

the following: • L1. Short-, medium-, and long-radius parallel turns. • L2. Sideslip and safety (hockey) stop to each side.• L3 Traverse across a slope.

• M. Demonstrate the ability to ski in varied conditions, including changes in pitch, snow conditions, and moguls. Maintain your balance and ability to turn.

Snow Sports Merit Badge• Snow Boarders:

• On a gentle slope, demonstrate beginning snowboarding maneuvers. Show basic ways to control speed and direction. Include the side slipping maneuver.

• On slightly steeper terrain, show traversing. • On a moderate slope, demonstrate an Ollie, a nose-end grab, and a wheelie. • Make a controlled run down an intermediate slope and demonstrate the

following: • Skidded, carved, and jump turns • Stops • Riding fakie

• Demonstrate your ability to ride in varied conditions, including changes in pitch,

snow conditions, and moguls. Maintain your balance and ability to turn.

Snow Sports Merit Badge• Last Requirement

• Have Fun!