Lessons
There is a high demand particularly at the start of season and just before February half term for beginners. Adult beginners lessons are available starting in late September and early November and at selected times in the New Year every Monday AM and PM, Tuesday PM, Wednesday PM. Tuesday and Friday evenings and all day Saturdays are set aside for children's ski lessons.
See Times for more information on lesson times.
What level of skier am I? - Details of what goes on in each level of lesson
Family ski lessons
Family ski lessons are available for beginners, however, we ask Juniors must be at least 7 years of age. We run a 6 week course usually early November until Christmas. For more info <contact us> for availability.
Adult Beginners Ski Lessons
Adult beginners ski lessons are available at set times in the season. Take a look and book a place online here. There is a high demand particularly at the start of the season and just before February half term. Lessons are available starting in late September, November and at selected times in the New Year every Monday AM and PM, Tuesday PM, Wednesday PM. For more info <contact us> for availability.
Cautious Ladies, Intermediate 1 & 2 and Advanced Ski Lessons
Prices can be found on our Prices page and its Pay As You Go, on any Monday AM, Monday PM, Tuesday PM and Wednesday PM for all levels of skier. To book your first lesson click here.
Tuesdays and Friday evenings and all day Saturdays are set aside for Children's Ski lessons. See Times for more information.
In Adult lessons you only pay for the lessons you attend - no advance payments necessary. If already a member simply book a place online on our bookings page.
Snowboarding Lessons
Snowboard lessons for beginners are available on Tuesday evenings between 6-7pm and need to be booked. See availability, dates and booking form here.
Children’s Ski Lesson Information
Register interest in Junior Ski Lessons? - Then complete a form to show interest in junior ski lessons <here>.
The children’s Saturday morning classes are ten, one hour classes throughout the morning. All instruction is by qualified UKSS volunteer instructors. The instructors are continually assessed and have development training under the governing body Snowsport England. Classes cover all abilities from absolute beginners onward and we grade the classes on a star basis: ages 7 and up are 1 Star – Beginners, 2 Star – Intermediates through to 3 & 4 Star for more advanced levels. Certificates and badges are attained and given to each child whey they attain their required standard. Please note that the 4 Star session are held on Saturday evenings.
Due to demand there is always a waiting list, please contact us with name of child, DOB and contact details to join the queue.
KSC Children’s Award Scheme
The KSC Award Scheme is as far as possible consistent with the UK Snowlife Awards. The equivalent Snowlife is shown for each level.
1. Assessment to be based on demonstrating the aim plus performing a few specified exercises. Other observational activities used as a checklist for instructors.
2. Awareness of Ski-Way code and general Health & Safety issues will be mandatory and will generally be covered during off-slope time.
Proficiency Award
Snowlife 1* (Put skis on/off, climb and ski down short ski run.
Control speed by ploughing)
Aim:
Demonstrate good balance and posture in a schuss & snowplough glide.
No |
Task Description |
Observation Criteria |
1 |
Put on and take off own skis, get up from fall on slope |
|
2 |
Step up the slope using the edges of the skis to 1st get-off |
|
3 |
Use rope tow to 1st get-off consistently without falling, know what to do in event of self or other skier falling |
|
4 |
Turn into fall line and make straight descent without fall |
Flat skis; hips above feet. |
5 |
Turn through 180o on slope without losing height |
|
6 |
Descend in snow plough glide maintaining shape of plough |
Plough formed by leg rotation. Good posture, Straight line, no upper body tension. |
7 |
Snow Plough to a stop on gentle terrain |
NOT a wide emergency stop |
8 |
Perform 3 of the following exercises in schuss |
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a. Heads, shoulders, knees and toes |
Balanced over ski. Appropriate flexing. Eye line |
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b. “Walking down slope” lifting heels of skis alternately |
Balance over ski, appropriate flex |
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c. Ducking under bar |
Flexing, eye line |
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d. Catching and throwing object during single run |
Remain balanced |
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e. Run with 2 bunny hops – lifting heels of skis together |
Good posture throughout. |
Assessment is based on demonstrating the aim plus performing 3 exercises.
(The proficiency award should be achievable after 5-10 lessons.)
One Star Award
Snowlife 2* & 3*( 2*Plough turning, wider & narrower turns, 3* Linked turns practicing plough parallel )
Aim:
Demonstrate versatile snowplough linked rounded turns.
(From the top of new slope).
No |
Task Description |
Observation Criteria |
1 |
Use rope and button tow to middle get-off consistently without falling, know what to do in event of self or others falling |
Manages lifts most times Can manage falls from lift unaided Does not get on lift if not clear, considerate to others
|
2 |
Schuss in straight run from 1st get-off |
Symmetrical, skis hip width apart, relaxed body position, flat skis. Hips above feet. |
3 |
Snowplough run varying width of plough several times during run and coming to a stop at a planned point |
Snowplough formed and adjusted by leg turning. (Without much leg extension) |
4 |
Stop in snowplough, starting run with straight skis and stopping at marked point or on signal |
|
5 |
Snowplough turns: 6 linked turns through marked course from 2nd get-off remaining in control throughout |
Good posture. No upper body tension Symmetry |
6 |
Traversing: 4 linked traverses with parallel skis during traverse and 3 snow plough turns. |
In balance |
7 |
Be able to absorb bump or roller when skiing straight over at reasonable speed |
Balance with hips over feet, adjusting before/after roller |
8 |
Perform 4 of the following: |
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a. Ski under and over bar in schuss |
Eye line, don’t sit back |
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b. Small jump off roller or bump in control |
Pop of roller by extending |
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c. Step over rope or line on mat and back |
Remain balanced |
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d. Snow plough drifts /Crabbing |
Upper body facing down fall line |
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e. 3 bunny hops |
Remain balanced |
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f. Balance on one ski during straight run from ½ height of nursery slope |
Both feet attempted |
Assessment is based on demonstrating the aim plus performing 4 exercises.
Achievable after 15-20 lessons
Two Star Award
Snowlife 4* (Polished plough parallel, balanced against outside ski earlier in turn, turns fluid & “S” shaped, skis parallel before middle of each turn)
Aim:
Demonstrate polished plough parallel turns. (Carrying poles).
No |
Task Description |
Observation Criteria |
1 |
Make at least 2 traverses linked by plough turns |
|
2 |
Stop from Traverse |
Parallel skis & stop in defined distance & At right angles to slope. |
3 |
Stop from Schuss |
Ditto |
4 |
Stop from Run of Turns at Signal |
Ditto (At “Practice” level) |
5 |
Plough Parallel Turns |
Support on outside ski – show extension and edge change & turning of inner ski. |
6 |
Side slip |
Rolling edges of both skis |
7 |
Balanced little “pop” |
Over bottom mogul. |
8 |
Absorb lower moguls/ridge (flex/extend) |
For 2* starting at 3rd highest mogul OR ridge on new slope. Using constant pressure and full contact with mat. |
8 |
Controlled descent of course with markers on: main piste, |
Turning is “S” shaped, skis naturally want to become parallel in or even before the middle of each turn (the fall line). |
9 |
Basic mogul skiing |
Snow plough/plough parallel in easy line. |
10 |
Turn on bank around markers |
|
11 |
Perform 3 exercises |
Stepping 1000 steps Ski backwards Single ski Jump with skis parallel to slope on landing Skating etc |
Assessment is based on demonstrating the aim plus performing 3 exercises.
(This could be expected to be achievable in 20 weeks after the 1* award with good ability.)
Three Star Award
Snowlife 5* (Basic parallel turns)
Aim:
Demonstrate rounded S shaped basic parallel turns. (Carrying poles).
No |
Task Description |
Observation Criteria |
1 |
Make at least 4 traverses linked by plough turns |
|
2 |
Stop from Traverse |
Parallel skis & stop at marker in defined distance & remaining at right angles to slope. |
3 |
Basic Plough Parallel |
Support on outside ski – show extension and edge change & turning of inner ski. |
6 |
Side slip |
Rolling edges of both skis |
7 |
Balanced little “pop” |
Over bottom mogul. |
8 |
Absorb lower moguls/ridge (flex/extend) |
For 2* starting at 3rd highest mogul OR ridge on new slope. Using constant pressure and full contact with mat. |
8 |
Controlled descent of course with markers on: a) main piste, b) terrain with skis parallel |
Show a controlled “S” shaped descent from top, completing turn and with simultaneous edge transfer. |
9 |
Basic mogul skiing |
Basic Plough Parallel in easy line. |
10 |
Turn on bank around markers (1 metre up) |
Remain in balance |
11 |
Perform all exercises |
Stepping 1000 steps Ski backwards Single ski turns Jump with skis parallel to slope on landing. Skating in a straight line. |
Assessment is based on demonstrating the aim plus performing all exercises.
(This could be expected to be achievable a full season after 2* award.)
Four Star Award
Snowlife 6* -7*( 6* Parallel turns with pole plants, “S” shaped turns. 7* Well coordinated pole plants on challenging slope)
Aim:
Demonstrate basic parallel turns with pole plant; basic short radius turns with pole plant, and mogul skiing.
No |
Task Description |
Observation Criteria |
1 |
Short radius turns with pole plant ( 8 continuous) |
Showing rounded turns (“S”) |
2 |
Mogul skiing (plough parallel) One fast run & one slow run |
Basic swing down very easy line (Outside moguls) |
3 |
Skidded parallel turns with pole plant |
Showing control of pressure/edging & turning |
4 |
Stop – during run (at signal) across slope |
Remain balanced |
5 |
Do slalom course - 6 gates. |
Good speed & posture |
7 |
Jump turn on bank |
Don’t lose height?? |
8 |
Single ski turn Uphill ski start Downhill ski start |
Make a turn on one ski – both feet! Keep other foot off matting. Minimum upper body rotation |
9 |
Carving |
Turn initiated by simultaneous edge change. |
10 |
Jump off rollers. (From off rampette) |
Showing good posture & balance. |
11 |
Perform 10 from 20 exercises |
See list after 5* award |
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|
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Assessment is based on demonstrating the aim plus performing 10 from 20 exercises in 5* award.
( This award could be expected to be achievable after a full season following 3* award.)
Five Star Award
Snowlife 8* (Rhythmical short radius turns with pole plant on steep & narrow run. Roll from edge to edge to change direction (carving). Rhythmical medium radius turns. Note Snowlife suggests this to be done on snow)
Aim:
Demonstrate short radius turns with pole plant, slalom course; demo rounded carved turns, control speed & line through moguls with parallel skis using pole plant in moderate line.
No |
Task Description |
Assessors Criteria |
1 |
Railing - Carving |
Turn initiated by edge change. |
2 |
Short radius turns (with pole plant) |
Showing rounding off turns and appropriate use of pole plant. |
3 |
Mogul skiing parallel with pole plant |
|
4 |
Long radius turns, skidded and carved. |
Demonstrating ability to vary the degree of skidding from 100% to zero.
|
5 |
Perform “slalom” course - 8 gates. |
Varying offset of gates |
6 |
Perform 15 from 21 exercises listed below |
|
Assessment is based on demonstrating the aim plus performing 15 from 21 exercises.
This award could be expected to be achievable after a full season following 4* award.
Exercises
Foot–to-foot exercise
Short Swing exercise
Jump skis in/out of plough
Change direction in reverse plough,
Crabbing
Shuffle feet when skiing across slope,
Push feet forwards when skiing across slope,
Bunny jumps when skiing across slope
Backward skiing matching skis at end of turn,
Ski 360 deg.
Run while turning .
Lead partner through funnel,
Pull a star jump, twister or grab,
One legged outside ski turns.
Stem turn,
Parallel step turn,
Ski backwards semi parallel turns
1000 steps.
Ski backwards parallel turns at least 4 linked,
Pull 180 deg jump across slope,
Skating turns when accelerating