Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

1. Improve physical conditioning and develop skills for maintaining lifelong health and fitness
2. Ski with control on beginning and intermediate terrain
3. Prepare for varying weather conditions and emergencies in an alpine environment.

An orientation session will be held at the college to collect fees, discuss equipment selection, proper clothing and personal gear and to answer questions.   At the lesson site students will be placed in classes with students of similar ability.  Classes will be conducted each of the five weeks on snow at the designated lesson site.  Practice time will be available to supplement class time with the instructor, and independent practice is of the utmost importance.
 

Students' grades will be assigned on a pass/no pass basis only and
will be based on:
     1.   Attendance - attendance at five classes is required for
          a pass.
     2.   Active participation and effort in class.
 

Instructional Goals:
Introduce students to the balancing, pressure control movements
and the rhythm/flow maneuvers outlined in the PSIA American
teaching System for Nordic Skiing, applied appropriately to the
following maneuvers:
Objectives:   
     1.1  Student introduction to movement and equipment
          orientation
     1.2  Standing, walking and changing direction
     1.3  Gliding and skating
     1.4  Diagonal Stride
     1.5  Double pole
     1.6  Climbing
     1.7  Straight run, balancing off a groomed track
     1.8  Gliding wedge, 1/2 wedge and braking wedge
     1.9  Step turn
SAFETY ASPECTS
Instructional goal:
Familiarize students with the safety aspects of the sport.
Objectives:
     2.1  Orient the students to equipment selection and use
     2.2  Outline trail etiquette procedures
     2.3  Instruct winter survival basics including the use
          of the 10 essentials and basic snow shelter construction
     2.4  Introduce students to varied terrain and snow
          conditions as their confidence and ability allow
     2.5  Integrate variations in ski technique to meet the
          challenges of changing snow and terrain