Leader Qualifications

Four levels of Leader Technical Skill Qualification which are relevant to Adventurous Ski-Touring Activities; all of which are available to both adult and youth members. The qualifications levels are outlined below.

Participant Supplementary Qualification (Basic Skiing Skills)

This provides a Scouts Australia qualification in the skills of skiing and is available to adult and youth members 12 years and older. The training offered is in basic cross-country skiing technique allowing safe over snow travel. Scout and Venturer Leaders with substantial on-snow experience can have their prior learning and/or current competencies recognised, while new Leaders can be trained to a basic level of competence on one of the Introductory Skiing Skills days.

Note: The following higher levels of Scouting-recognised qualifications in ski touring leadership within Australian alpine areas, apply to the Adult Leader in Charge.

Youth members 14.5 years and older may apply to have technical skills to these levels of competency but cannot be recognised as  an Adventurous Activity Leader until the age of 18 years (an SIS requirement).

Level 1 – Restricted Day Ski Tour Leader

• Allowed to plan and lead single day tours on marked trails in patrolled areas during daylight hours. (Lake Mountain, Mt Buller, Mt Stirling, St Gwinear, Mt Baw, Mt Hotham/Dinner Plain, Mt Buffalo, Falls Creek).
• The recommended leader-to-participant ratios for ski-tours to these areas are one Level 1 ski-tour qualified Leader per Party; plus one Section Leader or snow-experienced adult for every five (or part) participants (refer definitions for adult involvement under Personnel – adult appointments).

Level 2 – Day Ski Tour/Restricted Overnight Leader

• Allowed to plan, lead and manage ski tours:
  • of one day’s duration in non-patrolled areas during daylight hours.
  • of two days (one night’s) duration in patrolled areas or immediately beyond the resort boundary. (JB Plain/Paw Plain, Heathy’s Spur area, Mt Stirling, Lake Mountain, St Gwinear, Mt Baw Baw).
• The recommended leader-to-participant ratios for ski-tours to these areas are one Level 2 ski-tour qualified Leader per party; plus one Section Leader or snow-experienced adult for every five (or part) participants (refer definitions for adult involvement under Personnel – adult appointments).

Level 3 – Overnight Ski Tour Leader

• Allowed to plan, lead and manage ski tours of more than two days duration in non-patrolled areas. (Baw plateau, Mt Loch, The Razorback, Pretty Valley area, Bogong High Plains, The Fainters, Mt Feathertop, Mt Bogong, The Bluff).
• The recommended leader-to-participant ratios for ski-tours to these areas are at least one Level 3 ski-tour qualified Leader per party; plus one Section Leader or snow-experienced adult for every five participants (refer definitions for adult involvement under Personnel – adult appointments).