OET Senior Program

• Ski performance is as carved as possible given terrain, conditions, and ski design. Pressure is directed along the length of the skis and toward the outside ski.
• Consistent tempo is maintained throughout the run.
• The skis are engaged early and throughout the turn.
• Both ski edges are generally parallel with similar edge angles.
• Speed is controlled throughout the run with turn shape (additional video for exploring speed control by turn shape).
• Center of Mass remains over the base of support. Fore/aft pressure control is managed through proportional flexion and extension of all joints.
• The torso remains stable and disciplined.
• These are not short swing turns.

• Ski performance is as carved as possible given terrain, conditions, and ski design. Pressure is directed along the length of the skis and toward the outside ski.
• Consistent tempo is maintained throughout the run.
• Both ski edges are generally parallel with similar edge angles.
• The skis are generally parallel with similar edge angles.
• Speed is controlled throughout the run with turn shape.
• Center of Mass remains over the base of support. Fore/aft pressure control is managed through proportional flexion and extension of all joints.
• The torso remains stable and disciplined.
• Appropriate adjustments to inclination and angulation are made to accommodate turn size.

• The Candidate’s center of mass remains over the base of support while directing pressure along the length of the skis and toward the outside ski.
• Appropriate adjustments to inclination and angulation are made to accommodate turn size.
• Turn shapes are arcs, not linked traverses.
• Skis leave mostly clean “railroad tracks.”

The purpose of this assessment task is to assist the candidate and examiner in determining the ability of the Senior Candidate to do the following in the context of their skiing and toboggan skills.  The assessment is designed to highlight an understanding of the Five Fundamentals:

• Pivot, turn, and steer the lower body separate from the upper body.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage “slip and grip” of the ski edges utilizing the lower body through a combination of inclination and angulation.
• Pivot the skis within a fall line corridor.

• Linked turns, demonstrating the ability to adapt to changing snow and terrain.
• Speed is controlled and maintained.
• Shape of the turn is made with skis turning more than the upper body.
• Ski/Snow contact in all-terrain is maintained through progressive flexion and extension of ankles, knees, and hips.
• Upper body remains stable with little effect from lower-body movements.

Exemplary Video Clip for Skiability

• Selects an appropriate route.
• Uses short swing turns with an emphasis on effective pivots, as appropriate.
• Demonstrates the use of skill maneuvers, as appropriate.
• Performs effective emergency stop, if asked.
• Ensures minimal slipping or bouncing the toboggan.
• Shows Awareness of trail merge & the skiing public.

Does the candidate safely and efficiently control the toboggan to the accident site?

• Selects appropriate route.
• Controls decent without abrupt starts and stops by either chain brake, skill maneuvers, or both.
• Demonstrates the use of skill maneuvers as appropriate.
• Effective communication (verbal and non-verbal) with patient and Tail Roper.
• Snowboarders can face uphill or downhill, looking in the direction they are traveling.

Does the candidate safely and effectively control the loaded toboggan while monitoring the patient?

Additional video: Loaded Toboggan, outside the handles in bumps.

• Strives for the optimal and safest position behind the toboggan.
• Effectively manages the rope.
• Demonstrates the use of skill maneuvers without interruption to the front operator. Anticipates the front operator’s direction changes and maneuvers. Assists with braking activity – either planned or for an emergency stop.
• Snowboarders should predominantly maintain a heel side orientation through the entire demonstration – no transitions required or recommended.

Does the candidate safely and effectively manage the tail rope, using appropriate skill maneuvers, while maintaining an optimal position for braking or an emergency stop?

• Demonstrates consistent speed in all directions and terrain changes.
• Stops in a snowplow position (skiing) or with a hockey stop maneuver.
• Snowboarders will maintain the heel side throughout the entire demonstration.

Does the candidate maintain effective movement by slipping the edge(s) without railing during terrain changes and performs a controlled stop at the end?

• Demonstrates effective use of edges.
• Demonstrates consistent speed.
• Snowboarders must show both heel and toe side skills.

Does the candidate maintain effective movement by slipping the edge(s) in either direction without traversing?

• Maintain narrow fall line descent.
• Changes direction from a side slip on one side to a side slip on the other, maintaining a fall line descent and consistent speed.

Does the candidate maintain consistent speed while maintaining contact with the snow while changing direction and not deviating from the “fall line” corridor?

• Static direction change carried out by lifting and rotating one ski and then the other ski to match. Skiers will end facing the opposite direction horizontal to the fall line.
• An alternate change of direction may be performed by a quick “wedge and match” maneuver while maintaining a minimum fall line movement.
• Snowboarders may perform a “Jump Turn” or “ATM 180” while maintaining a minimum fall line movement.

• Demonstrates control.
• Adapts to terrain changes.
• Equipment held securely.
• Maintains awareness of trail merges and skiing public.

Does the candidate demonstrate confidence and ability in changing snow surfaces and terrain with a variety of turns and skill maneuvers?