4604 Nordic Ski (Skate Technique) to a Beginner Standard

Explanatory notes

1A minimum of 10hours on-snow time is required for assessment against this unit standard.

2This unit standard must be assessed on beginner Nordic terrain, which is defined as groomed green trails at a Nordic area (flat, uphill, and downhill); and groomed slopes angled no more than five degrees. It is recommended that assessment against this unit standard take place on groomed and tracked trails.

3All activities must comply with any relevant environmental, legislative and/or regulatory requirements set out in the New Zealand Environmental Care Code, Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Act 2001, and their subsequent amendments. The New Zealand Environmental Care Code is available from the Department of Conservation, Head Office, PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143.

4For definitions of skiing terms refer to the information included in the Snow Farm Nordic Ski Instructor’s Manual available from the Snow Farm, Cardrona RD2, Wanaka 9382, ; or produced by the Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors the New Zealand Cross Country Ski Association, and/or the New Zealand Snowsport Instructors Alliance (NZSIA). The NZSIA manuals are available from NZSIA, PO Box 2283, Wakatipu, Queenstown 9349.

5The Snow Safety Code assumes that there is risk inherent in the sport of skiing, and that individuals must take responsibility for their behaviour in order to minimise that risk to themselves and to others. The code (adapted for Nordic skiing) is promoted within all snowsport areas and is enforced, where necessary, by patrollers and snowsport area management. For more information on the Snow Safety Code promoted by the Ski Areas Association of New Zealand, contact the New Zealand Snowsports Council, PO Box 27501, Wellington 6141; or the Snow Farm, Cardrona RD2, Wanaka 9382, .

6There are minimum assessor requirements for assessment against this unit standard. The details of these requirements are available on the Skills Active website

Outcomes and evidence requirements

Outcome 1

Perform Nordic ski skate techniques to a beginner standard on beginner Nordic terrain.

Evidence requirements

1.1A free skate is demonstrated on flat terrain or slight downhill with balance, coordination, and form.

Rangeedging, weight-shifting, glide.

1.2Skate with poles is demonstrated on flat terrain or slight downhill with balance, coordination, and form.

Rangeedging, weight-shifting, flexion and extension movements, poling, marathon skate, 2 skate.

1.3Skate downhill is performed showing flex at the knees and ankles.

Rangeout of tracks, poles tucked, hands by face.

1.4Skate techniques are demonstrated for climbing easy-angled slopes.

Rangeboom skate and coaches skate.

1.5Skate techniques are selected according to the terrain, with a smooth transition from one technique to another.

1.6A braking wedge is used to slow speed and to stop on a hill.

Rangeout of tracks.

1.7Step turns are initiated to turn corners on a groomed trail, and used to control speed.

1.8A beginner trail of two kilometres is skied, using a combination of appropriate basic Nordic skate techniques and demonstrating pacing skills.

Outcome 2

Adhere to safe Nordic skiing practices.

Evidence requirements

2.1Adherence to safe Nordic skiing practices is demonstrated in accordance with the Snow Safety Code.

Rangemay include but is not limited to – staying in control, uphill skiers giving way to downhill, obeying all signage, keeping a safe distance between skiers on downhill, looking before you ski downhill to ensure safe stopping distances, stopping where you can be seen.

2.2Safe falling and standing up techniques are demonstrated on flat terrain and a moderate hill in accordance with the Snow Safety Code.

2.3Risk management specific to cross country skiing is explained in accordance with the Snow Safety Code.

Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions

This CMR can be accessed at

Please note

Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact Skills Active Aotearoa if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.