Ski scheme will open up the slopes

GRANTOWN’S British Association of Snowsport Instructors (BASI) has launched an international scheme to open up the slopes to anyone wishing to learn the secrets of success.

With the help of the local MP Danny Alexander, they officially opened the scheme from BASI’s headquarters in the strath capital yesterday morning (Tuesday).

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury said the Snowlife scheme was important to the Badenoch and Strathspey economy after the Cairngorms had enjoyed two highly successful ski seasons in a row.

Mr Alexander said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to join BASI to launch their Snowlife Award Scheme and to have an opportunity to hear about their work in representing those involved in our snowsport industry.

“We have been fortunate to have had two very successful ski seasons on the Cairngorms and I hope that people will use this coming season to learn on the local slopes here in the Highlands.”

Snowlife will be available at indoor snow facilities and artificial ski centres around the UK from August 1 this year and promoted at the Scottish ski centres this winter.

Information packs will be available from ski schools and at registration and reception points at mountain centres.

Snowlife will also be rolled out internationally and promoted by Snowsport Schools in the Alps, ensuring that skiers can continue progressing through different levels of the scheme whilst on holiday abroad and when they return to the UK.

BASI director Mike Shepherd explained: “Our team of 80 instructors teach between 5,000 to 7,000 pupils during each winter depending on snow conditions. Beginners are our core market and many of them are scouts, cadets and youth groups.

“We also regularly provide instruction for over 200 local school children every weekend and they all develop and improve their skills with the benefit of the Snowlife Awards.

“The scheme allows young people to recognise their own skills and encourages them to progress to the next stage.”

Snowlife is designed to encourage the development of skills through a common pathway and to measure ability and performance against set criteria.

Tuition and assessment from qualified instructors, coaches and ski leaders working at snowsport schools will determine whether candidates have successfully reached different targets within the scheme with progression being recognised with a certificate and badge.

Each skier will obtain a log book from the snowsport school to record their development which is then signed off at each stage by an instructor.

Upon reaching the upper levels of the system an aspiring snowsports enthusiast could then enter a coaching pathway to become a qualified club coach or snowsport instructor.

Snowlife is being launched initially for skiers but there are plans to embrace all disciplines including Adaptive, Nordic, Snowboard, Telemark and Freestyle from Spring 2012 onwards.

BASI Chief Executive Officer Fergus Waters added: “We have been very pleased and privileged to host Mr Alexander and explain the activities of our association with its growing membership of over 5,000.

“We expect the Snowlife Scheme to be widely adopted by snowsport schools locally in the Spey valley as well as throughout the rest of the UK.”

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