Junior Ski Lessons, Assessments and Ski Tots

The following courses are run as the pre-requisite for children who either cannot ski, or do not yet meet the assessment criteria for entry into Junior Club.  Upon completion of the course, each child will be assessed for his or her ability to meet the minimum standard for entry into the lowest level of Junior Club

No refund is made to children who fail to meet that required standard

If a child is declared as already able to ski, then there is no need to complete a series of Junior Ski Lessons - and he or she can be assessed directly on the last day of any of the Junior courses.  No refund is made if the child fails to meet the required standard

Assessment Criteria

The Assessment Criteria for becoming eligible to be a JC Member used both at the end of the Junior Ski Lesson, and for children who have declared that they can already ski and so only attend the Centre on an Assessment Day, is as follows:

1. Putting on and doing up their own boots
2. Knowing, or knowing where to find out, what their ski length and DIN settings are
3. >Safely carrying Skis indoors and out
4. Side stepping
5. Herringbone
6. Slope hanging
7. Four different straight running exercises (with both feet on the ground)
8. Use the rope tow on the Training Slope and make four ascents unaided and without falling
9. Getting up unaided after a "fall" - i.e. from a seated or laying position on the slope with skis on
10. Demonstrating a mature attitude to the Instructor, fellow pupils, and to the events that occur during the Lessons and the Assessment
    

    What do we mean by a "mature attitude"? 

    Well, it definitely means NO tantrums, tempers, swearing, throwing things around, rudeness, mistreating equipment, refusal to partake in exercises or use the tow, bad behaviour, ridiculing others for mistakes that they make......  It DOES mean listening, having a go to the best of ability, treating others with respect, helping others, wanting to learn - and knowing how to have fun without upsetting others.......  We all KNOW what it means, even if we cannot write down every point.

The Assessor’s and Instructor’s decisions are final on this matter, - but they will discuss with parents the reason for their decision if the child fails on this point.

You children (under 7 years old)

Although JC has no lower age limit, skiing is a physically demanding sport which some young children find difficult to cope with

Parents are understandably upset if their child, having completed the Junior Ski Lessons, then fails to make the grade for JC entry under the Assessment Criteria above.  The most common reasons are usually linked with the child’s unwillingness to partake in the exercises - and it is generally found in children under 7 years old

It’s usually fairly easy to tell if this is going to be a problem from the outset.  To avoid children having to undertake something that they either don’t want to do, or are unable to do, the Centre runs a "Ski Tots" session periodically

Before accepting under 7‘s into the Junior Ski Lessons, we ask them to attend a Ski Tots session.  We kit them out with skis, and put them with a Supervisor on the flattest part of the Training Slope for half an hour of fun and games......

If they willingly cope with that for the full 30 minute period, then they are probably ready for the Junior Ski Lessons - and although success is not guaranteed, it is more likely that they will ultimately succeed.

If they can’t cope with the 30 minute period, then it is really too early to start them on a skiing career, and the Centre cannot accept their application for Junior Ski Lessons.

How do I Book children for Lessons, or for Assessment?

Contact the Bookings Secretary, and she will confirm the courses running and that spaces are available and send you the necessary documents.  All courses must be paid for prior to the first lesson.

What does it cost?