Snowboarding course APUL B teaching advanced snowboarding

We organize course B on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier in Austria. Kitzsteinhorn or Kaprun is known for its snowpark, which is one of the largest in Europe. Due to the altitude of the resort, there is a great chance of fresh snow even during the course (the second half of April). The course program focuses on advanced riding on the slope as well as off-piste and freestyle in the snowpark. We recommend that you train your fitness before the course and visit the snowpark and off-piste terrain at least few times.

We organize this course as a part of the project of Czech Snowboard School in cooperation with the Czech Snowboarding and Freestylearea.eu. A public camp takes place at the same time as the course. It means that the course will be very busy. The course will be led by one of our most experienced lecturers who will help you to improve your riding skills as well as the ability to teach snowboarding on a higher level. You will also have a possibility to meet professional snowboarding coaches and current or former riders of the Czech Republic Freestyle Snowboarding Team, who will also try their best to help you improving your riding skills. Evening lectures include the topics such as avalanches, racing etc. This course is energizing combination of entertainment, training and learning.

• Applicant must be at least 18 years old.
• Applicant must be an APUL Snowboarding C licensee.
• Applicant must be a member of APUL (paid membership fee in the given period).
• Applicant must have work experience as a ski school instructor of at least 50 hours.

The course content is divided into a practical part on the slope and the theoretical part in the form of lectures and workshops. Some parts of the course program will mingle with the public freestyle camp. The daily program will be adapted to the weather and snow conditions. Changes to the course program can be made by the course leader. The final two days are reserved for final exams. Participation in all parts of the program is a necessary requirement for a successful completion of the course B.

The APUL snowboarding B license entitles its holder to teach advanced riders of all ages on the ski slopes and in the snowpark.

This license also opens up new possibilities and the way to the international ISIA stamp. Many of our graduates travel and teach all around the world with this license or are engaged in advanced teaching or coaching in the Czech Republic.

APUL B Snowboarding licensee is so versatile that he will not be surprised by any client no matter if he wants to learn the basics or advanced riding, freestyle or off-piste.

The exam consists of several parts:

1. Theory

Takes a form of a written test on the 7th day of the course (in the evening). The test questions are from the lectures content and will be specified during the course. The test also includes an exam from analysis, where you have to identify deficiencies in the riding technique after watching the video.

2. Methodology

Ongoing evaluation during individual methodology presentations.
Written test from a lesson plan.
Final exam - methodical presentation on the day 8 of the course.

3. Riding skills

3 exam runs on the slope
Basic carving turn & switch
Up-unweighted carving turn
Short down-unweighted skidded turn

Off-piste (moguls or deep snow - depending on current snow conditions)

Pisten freestyle
tailpress slide, nose roll, two different 180s, one 360 of any kind and one additional trick of your choice

Jibbing
BS boardslide
FS grind
optional trick

Grabs middle-sized jump (4 attempts, 3 different grabs)

Rotations on small-sized jump (3 attempts for 2 different 180º rotations, one of which must be backside 180)

4. Foreign Language 

The exam from methodology procedure (methodical performance) takes place in foreign language (English, German, Russian).

• Adequate snowboarding equipment - stiff twin freestyle board is the best choice.
• We recommend protectors - helmet, spine protector, etc.
• Waterproof and warm clothing. We will spend min. of 5 hours a day outside.
• Goggles and sunglasses, gloves, sunscreen.
• Money for ski pass (a significant discount will be arranged).
• Money for breakfast, lunch and dinner. (or self-catering).
• Notepad and pen for making notes and information from workshops on and off the snow.
• Avalanche equipment (a discount on renting can be arranged).

The basic source of information on course B is our methodology book. You will also benefit from lectures during the course.

Freestyle

All the tricks needed for course B can be found in the our methodology book. We also recommend watching videos from Snowboard Addiction e.g. this video describing the basic grabs.

We also recommend to look at the basic tricks on the ski slope, 180º rotation and the basics of jibbing - grind and boardslide.

Lesson plans

In the last two years, a written lesson plan has become a part of the methodology examination. Here you can download the work of previous B course participants.

Print or download the materials to your computer or phone. Especially the methodologies.

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 APUL course participants are - when moving on the ski slopes - 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 snowboarding 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.

Our goal is to prepare you for the work of snowboarding instructor, but also to give you some tips on how to develop your skills. To begin with, we recommend:

• Strong muscles protect the skeleton. Keep your body fit and avoid injury.
• Stretch at least few minutes a day to prevent injuries.
• Do sports. It will improve your results in snowboarding.
• Ride with and listen to more experienced riders and instructors, they can really help you.
• Do not overestimate your skills.