SSE Snowlife Awards re launched

by admin /

SSE Rolls Out New Snowlife Awards!
Posted: 15/07/2011

Snowsport England, the Governing Body for English skiers and snowboarders are pleased to announce the roll out of the new UK Snowlife Award Scheme, the nationally recognised awards for skiing and snowboarding.  Developed by BASI (British Association of Snowsport Instructors), and the UK Governing Bodies for skiing and snowboarding, the awards take you from absolute beginner through to expert, perfect if you’ve already got your sights on the most challenging pistes. 
 

Candidates can train for the awards and be tested at many UK artificial slopes. If you prefer, you can do it all on snow instead. Tuition and assessment from qualified instructors, coaches and ski leaders working at these facilities throughout England will determine whether candidates have successfully reached the skills set within the scheme and progression is rewarded with both a certificate and badge. 
 

Delivered by the Home Nations including Snowsport England and coordinated by BASI, the Snowlife Awards Scheme will be introduced at indoor snow facilities and artificial ski centres around the UK from August 1st 2011.  Information packs and point of sales will be available from ski schools and clubs.  The Snowlife Award Scheme will also be rolled out internationally during the winter and promoted by Snowsport Schools in the Alps, ensuring that skiers can continue progressing through different levels of the scheme whilst on holiday. 
 

There are nine recognised levels of proficiency starting at an elementary level (Green Zone) where a skier needs to demonstrate some basic skills on skis.  Pre-determined achievable targets are set allowing keen skiers at any level to further build their knowledge, confidence and abilities with the benefit of instruction from Snowsport Schools. 
 

In parallel with the classification of the degree of difficulty of different pistes, skiers can relate to their individual ability levels to tackle different runs in safety, by progressing through the Snowlife system. 
 

Skiers within the Green, Blue, Red and Black zones can quickly be identified with different levels of ability, and a star award method of grading allows a skier to progress through the zones from one star (Green) up to nine stars (Black).  Upon entering the Snowlife scheme, each skier can obtain or purchase a log book from the Snowsport School to record their development through the various levels – this is then completed and 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, so watch this space!