Ski course APUL A2tuning expert skills

The APUL A2 course is a 7 day follow-up course in APUL education (+2 exam days). It takes place at one of the Austrian glaciers. It is the second, final, part of the APUL A course, which concludes the so-called full education of the ski instructor. It is open to a skier 17 years and older who has successfully completed ISIA stamp level and A1 course (ideally with a positive recommendation to continue to A2 course).

Practical workshops on the slope and beyond will emphasize the following key points of the course A2:

• Improving the skiing technique with an emphasis on expert skiing on and off piste.
• Further development of complex teaching methods of critical thinking, problem solving etc.
• Application of skills and experience with coaching and clinic management for ski instructors.
• Active analysis of expert skiing technique.
• Practicing of technical discussion and argumentation.
• Deepening the knowledge of foreign language terminology and its active use in teaching (English, German).

• Applicant must be at least 17 years old on the opening day of the course.
• Applicant must be a graduate of ISIA Stamp and have completed A1 course.
• Applicant must be a member of APUL (paid membership fee in the given period).
• Applicant must have met the ski school practice in a range of at least 100 hours.

The content of the course is divided into a practical part on a slope and a theoretical part in the form of lectures and workshops. The daily program will be adapted to weather, local and snow conditions. The course leader is responsible for editing the course program. Participation in all parts of the program is a necessary requirement for participation in the APUL A final exams.

A successful graduate of the APUL A course is a world class ski instructor whose skills include a precise demonstration of sports skiing techniques in variable conditions, the ability to analyze, argue and conduct a professional discussion about techniques, physics and biomechanics of skiing. Licensee APUL A is also competent to conduct clinics for ski instructors and teaching expert skiing at all levels.

A successful A2 course graduate is competent to:

• conduct ski lessons for ski school clients of all levels
• manage skiing clinics and trainings for ski instructors
• analyze skiing techniques of all levels,
• demonstrate expert skiing techniques (race carving, bumps, off-piste, extreme slopes, etc.).
• entry to lecturer education on the course L.

The structure of the APUL A final exam consists of three basic skill areas (skiing, tuition, analysis) that participate in the overall profile of the APUL skiing instructor. For successful completion of the course A it is necessary to meet the requirements from all three areas at least at the level of six average points on a scale of 0 - 10 points.

1. Skiing test

Exam from skiing contains six different test runs, divided into two blocks:

• Demonstration of selected elements and techniques of methodical procedure
• Sports skiing

A set of exam runs of each block contains elements from previous courses and elements specific for the course A. A mandatory exam run for all A courses is a demonstration of technique of the so-called "Parallel turn (medium to long radius)". The other two exam runs in the section "Examples of techniques" and all three exam runs from the section "Sports skiing" will be announced by the course leader one day before the skiing exam.

Block 1: Demonstration of skiing technique and selected elements of methodical procedure.

Set of exam runs:

1. Parallel turn (medium to long radius)

Terrain: moderately steep blue piste (beginner terrain) to gentle red piste

criteria:

The examiner assesses each ride based on the following criteria:

• Speed and radius control (Fulfillment of assignment).
• Turn shape (linked S-shaped turns).
• Balanced stance (good work with dynamic balance).
• Changing direction is the result of the work of lower limbs (separation).
• Maintaining parallel ski guidance throughout the turn.
• Changing edges is accompanied with a pole plant.

Every examiner evaluates the exam run as a purported average rating of above mentioned criteria.

2. Carving turn (medium to long radius)

Terrain: steeper blue to red piste.

criteria:

The examiner assesses each ride based on the following criteria:

• Speed ​​and radius control (fulfillment of assignment).
• Turn shape (linked S-shaped turns).
• Balanced stance (good work with dynamic balance).
• Changing direction is the result of the work of lower limbs (separation).
• The support leg is changed in the transition phase between the turns.
• Larger ski edging is the result of the work of lower limbs (angulation).

Every examiner evaluates the exam run as a purported average rating of above mentioned criteria.

3. Stork turn

Terrain: medium blue piste (beginner terrain) to gentle red piste

Criteria:

The examiner assesses each ride based on the following criteria:

• Speed ​​and radius control.
• Turn shape (linked S-shaped turns).
• Balanced stance and good work with dynamic balance.
• The change of direction is the result of the work of the lower limbs (separation).
• The support leg is changed in the transition phase between the turns.
• The balance is maintained only on the outer ski throughout the whole turn.

Every examiner evaluates the exam run as a purported average rating of above mentioned criteria.

4. Short turn

Terrain: steeper red to black slope.

Criteria:

The examiner assesses each ride based on the following criteria:

• Speed ​​and radius control.
• Turn shape (linked S-shaped turns).
• Balanced stance and good work with dynamic balance.
• Changing direction is the result of the work of lower limbs (separation).
• Larger ski edging is the result of the work of lower limbs (angulation).
• Maintaining parallel ski guidance throughout the turn.
• Changing edges is accompanied with a pole plant.

5. A dynamic turn of race-carving character (medium to long radius)

Terrain: steep red to black slope.

Criteria:

The examiner assesses each ride based on the following criteria:

• Speed ​​and radius control.
• Skiing dynamics.
• The shape of the turn (linked S-shaped turns).
• Balanced stance and good work with dynamic balance.
• The change of direction is the result of the work of the lower limbs.
• The support leg is changed in the transition phase between the turns.
• Larger ski edging is the result of the work of lower limbs (inclination).
• Maintaining the support legs is the result of the work of lower limbs (angulation).

Every examiner evaluates the exam run as a purported average rating of above mentioned criteria.

6. Skiing switch (parallel turns backwards)

Terrain: medium blue piste (beginner terrain) to gentle red piste

Criteria:

The examiner assesses each ride based on the following criteria:

• Speed ​​and radius control.
• Turn shape (linked S-shaped turns)
• Well balanced stance (good work with dynamic balance).
• Maintaining parallel ski guidance throughout the turn.

Every examiner evaluates the exam run as a purported average rating of above mentioned criteria.

7. Javelin Turn

Terrain: very gentle blue slope (beginner terrain) to gentle blue slope

Criteria:

The examiner assesses each ride based on the following criteria:

• Speed ​​and radius control.
• The shape of the turn (linked S-shaped turns).
• Well balanced stance and good work with dynamic balance.
• Changing direction is the result of the work of lower limbs (separation).
• The support leg is changed in the transition phase between the turns.
• Ski tips are held above each other throughout the turn.

Every examiner evaluates the exam run as a purported average rating of above mentioned criteria.

8. Basic turn

Terrain: very gentle blue slope (beginner terrain) to gentle blue slope

Criteria:

The examiner assesses each ride based on the following criteria:

• Speed ​​and radius control (fulfillment of assignment).
• Turn shape (linked S-shaped turns).
• Balanced stance and good work with dynamic balance.
• The change of direction is the result of the work of the lower limbs (separation).
• The guidance of the skis (snowplow / stem christie) in the basic turn depends on the speed and the gradient of the slope.

Every examiner evaluates the exam run as a purported average rating of above mentioned criteria.

Block 2: Sports skiing.

Set of exam runs:

1. rhythm change (transition from the long to short radius)

Terrain: red to gentle black piste

Criteria:

The examiner assesses each run based on the following criteria:

• Skiing dynamics (sports character).
• Speed ​​and radius control (throughout the whole ride)
• Turn shape (linked S-shaped turns)
• Balanced stance (Good work with dynamic balance).
• The quality of the change of rhythm (dynamics, stability and control).

Every examiner evaluates the exam run as a purported average rating of above mentioned criteria.

2. Moguls

Terrain: red to black piste (the slope of the terrain).

Criteria:

The examiner assesses each ride based on the following criteria:

• Speed ​​and radius control (fulfillment of assignment).
• Balanced stance and good work with dynamic balance.
• The change of direction is the result of the work of the lower limbs (separation).
• Changing edges is accompanied with a pole plant on the mogul.
• Maintaining maximum contact of the skis with the snow (absorption).
• The line chosen corresponds to the shape of the terrain and the type of snow.

Every examiner evaluates the exam run as a purported average rating of above mentioned criteria.

3. skiing the steep slope (short to medium radius).

Terrain: very steep black slope.

Criteria:

The examiner assesses each run based on the following criteria:

• Speed ​​and radius control (keeping constant speed).
• Balanced stance and good work with dynamic balance throughout the whole ride.
• The change of direction is the result of the work of the lower limbs (separation).
• The support leg is changed in the transition phase between the turns.
• The balance is maintained predominantly on the outer ski throughout the whole turn.
• Changing edges is accompanied with a pole plant.
• Skiing dynamics.

Every examiner evaluates the exam run as a purported average rating of above mentioned criteria.

4. Off-piste (skiing variable terrain)

Terrain: black piste (the slope of the terrain)

Criteria:

The examiner assesses each run based on the following criteria:

• The dynamics of the ride (Freeride character).
• Speed ​​and radius control.
• Balanced stance and good work with dynamic balance.
• Changing direction is the result of the work of lower limbs (separation).
• The width of the track is adapted to the condition of the snow cover.
• Maintaining parallel ski guidance throughout the turn.
• Changing edges is accompanied with a pole plant.

Every examiner evaluates the exam run as a purported average rating of above mentioned criteria.

Assessment:

Each run is evaluated by a three-member board of lecturers. Each lecturer evaluates every single run as the purported average rating above criteria on a scale from 0 to 10 points. A successful graduate must obtain at least 18 points in sum of all three exam runs (minimum of 5 points from each single run). A candidate who obtains less than 18 points in the sum of all runs is evaluated as an "expectant from skiing" and the test must be repeated.

2. Exam on Teaching Technique

The practical exam is divided into two parts:

1. Simulated private lesson of a very advanced client (teaching)
2. Conducting the clinics for ski instructors (coaching)

Ad 1: Simulated private lesson, during which the candidate must demonstrate the knowledge and skills of appropriate teaching methods for advanced skiers in a foreign language. The main criterion is the interconnection of the correct motion analysis and appropriate teaching methods that will match the client´s profile (simulated by the examiner) the best. Practical examination from teaching will take approximately 20-30 minutes.

Criteria:

The examiner evaluates each demonstration based on the following criteria:

• Model lesson (mastering and applying the lesson model of a private lesson)
• Communication (verbal and nonverbal communication level)
• Customer service level (Positive attitude, creating an optimal environment for learning)
• Motion Analysis (discovering the cause-effect relationship)
• Understanding and using of the APUL methodical procedure (suitability of the used methods, tactics and procedures, etc.).
• Safety and pedagogical principles (choice of terrain, providing safety, organization of the group, the pace of instruction)
• Appropriate use of the complex teaching methods (critical thinking, problem solving, etc.)
• Principles of the teching process 
• Work with teaching implements

Assessment:

There is always a minimum of 2 tutors present at the exam. Examiners assess the tuition (teaching methods) as the purported average rating of the above mentioned criteria on a scale from 0 to 10 points. At least 6 points are required to pass the exam. A candidate who scores less than 6 points becomes the evaluation "expectant from teaching" and the exam must be repeated.

Ad 2: Exam from the so-called "coaching" is based on a real leadership of the skiing clinics for ski instructors. Each candidate has a task to improve the level of skiing of a group of instructors, in the field or topic received from the examiner, within a 20-30 minutes lasting session. 

Criteria:

The examiner evaluates each coaching demonstration based on the following criteria:

• Communication (Level of verbal and nonverbal communication, interaction with participants)
• Motion Analysis (discovering the cause-effect relationship)
• Understanding and using of the APUL methodical procedure (Suitability of the used methods, tactics and procedures, etc.).
• Feedback level
• Safety and pedagogical principles (terrain choice, providing safety, group organization, pace of the lesson)
• Appropriate use of the complex teaching methods (critical thinking, problem solving, etc.)
• Work with the group dynamics
• Principles of the teching process 
• Work with teaching implements

Assessment:

The examiner evaluates "coaching" as a purported average rating above criteria on a scale from 0 to 10 points. A part of the final score is also the feedback from all the participants of the skiing clinics, which will take place without the presence of the candidate. The ongoing evaluation of candidate's own teacher and professional approach of the candidate during the whole course is also included in the final evaluation. A successful graduate must obtain at least 6 points. Candidates scoring less than 6 points, become an evaluation "expectant from coaching" and the exam must be repeated.

3. Exam from Analysis (theory):

The examination is carried out in the form of a technical discussion.

Each candidate has the task of analyzing two different runs. A short written preparation is followed by presentation and guided discussion of several candidates. The examiners assess the accuracy of the information presented, the quality and accuracy of the analysis, the ability to actively listen, argue, ask questions and respond to questions correctly. The final assessment is a combination of the above mentioned criteria.

Assessment:

To pass the analysis exam, it is necessary to obtain min. 6 points on a scale of 0-10 points. A candidate who scores less than 6 points becomes an "expectant from analysis" and the exam must be repeated.

4. Foreign Language exam:

Each candidate must demonstrate a knowledge of two foreign languages to pass the foreign language exam. The first part of the foreign language exam takes place during the simulated private lesson within the exam from teaching. Each candidate can choose the language himself. The second part of the exam takes place in the form of a colloquium of examiners and several candidates using the second language.

Candidates are examined in three areas:

• General knowledge of the language (presentation of information, general discussion lecturer-candidate with an emphasis on understanding and ability to react)
• Skiing technique (ability to expertly describe the specific motion, turn or skill)
• Teaching skiing (Explanation of the ability of a progression element or analysis)

Candidates are tested in English and German. Examination from another world language is possible only after prior confirmation from the course leader before the course starts.

Assessment:

A knowledge of a foreign language is rated on a positive - negative scale in terms of meeting the requirements.

• Appropriate ski equipment. We recommend bringing two pairs of skis. First pair of skis with a radius of 19 - 21m (race carving or GS) for skiing in groomed terrain (ski slopes) and another pair for off-piste skiing (ski width of about 90mm and more).
• Ski helmet as part of the basic equipment of each APUL instructor.
• Waterproof and warm clothing. We will spend min. of 5 hours a day outside.
• Appropriate backpack for downhill skiing (about 26 l, hip belt, adjustable straps etc.).
• Avalanche equipment (transceiver, shovel, probe).
• Ski and sunglasses, gloves, sunscreen.
• Money for ski pass (significant discount will be arranged).
• Money for breakfast, lunch and dinner (or self-catering).
• Notepad and pen for recording notes and information from workshops.

Basic and recommended sources of information on the course A are:

• Blue Book - textbook for APUL ski instructors,
•  "Red progression" - an advanced methodology of APUL skiing,
• APUL audio sources (DVD, YouTube channel APUL etc.).
• LeMaster, Ron "Ultimate Skiing." Human Kinetics, 2010
• Technical articles and analysis in the SNOW magazine (or other expert magazine about downhill skiing).
• current foreign methodological materials (CSIA, APSI, NZSIA, PSIA),
• ... and other sources (YouTube, videos, lectures, internet discussions, ...).

All APUL courses are very intensive educational experience and are held in a mountain area and in all weather conditions. Therefore, they are physically and mentally demanding so it is recommended to dedicate sufficient attention to physical preparation few weeks before the course.

All participants of the APUL course are obliged to comply with the so-called "Ten Rules of conduct on the slopes." If any participant of the course will be systematically violate the rules of conduct on the slopes by his behaviour, threatening other course participants or other skiers, he will be asked to quit and leave the course. 

Since skiing is a risky sport, we recommend arranging the appropriate accident insurance in case of accident or injury. Participation in the course is voluntary and at your own risk. APUL does not bear any consequences for possible injuries. We recommend Alpenverrein insurance for all APUL courses organized outside Czech republic.

The purpose of APUL courses and the role of the tutor, is mainly the transfer of knowledge and skills which will also be, after the course itself, a tool for training, self-education and further professional development towards APUL education.

A few tips on how to do it:

• It's good to have a training partner (or training group) who motivate each other to practice and share experience from their own practice.
• Regular video analysis is a prerequisite for systematic improvement.
• Changing and experimenting with different types of skis during the season (GS ski, slalom ski, off-piste ski, etc.).
• Learning the element we are working on is a very effective tool for self-improvement.
• Skis must always be well prepared and serviced (regular grinding and waxing).
• Using other sources of information materials outside APUL can help to inspire and obtain new impulses. 

The important thing is to enjoy the process of improvement. Not only giving lessons to clients, but the self training during the season, is one of the most enjoyable parts of the profession of a ski instructor.