2010 Ski Programme - Years 4 to 6

Download Parent Help Booklet as pdf (3mb)

(download in PDF format) - brochure

download in PDF format - form

At Queenstown Primary School we have a comprehensive ski/snowboard programme which enables all children in Years 4 to 6 have five school days on the mountain, learning to ski or snowboard. The school ski/snowboard programme consists of three elements:

• Four Day Instructional Programme
  • 14, 16, 21 & 23 June at Coronet Peak Ski Field
• School House-Based Carnival Day
  • includes ski racing and fun events. Monday 16 August
    
• Choice Day in Term 3
  • Choice between Remarkables, Cardrona, Snow Farm, Snow Park or Treble Cone. Or non-ski based options such as golf or walking

We split all children into ability groups from learners to advanced skiers. Please assume the programme will take place each day despite what the weather may look like.

This is a massive undertaking and takes considerable organisation from school and a huge level of support from parents and caregivers. Each week we require in excess of 60 adults assisting!

There are six options available. Once you have selected your option you cannot change it during the programme as it would be impossible to administer. Options and costings are as follows:

Cost for 4 Day Lesson Programme plus Carnival Day

Whichever option you choose, it represents excellent value.

*For those families who are providing parent help on the mountain and will transport their children to and from Coronet Peak Ski Field.

Snowboard Option

There is a snowboard option available this year, but only for those children who have their own equipment (board, boots, helmet and wrist-guards). As a staff, we have limited expertise in snowboarding and we often struggle to find enough snowboarding parents to support this. In particular we have observed that Year 4 children who are beginner snowboarders (Levels 1 & 2) at school really struggle. Because of this we ask...

• Year 4 - only sign-up for snowboard if you are Level 3, 4, 5 or above
• Year 5 & 6 - Open to students to learn to snowboard

Payment Option

This MUST be paid before the children go. Because we have several price options we would much prefer to have the whole amount paid prior to the programme commencing.

Payment options are listed below in order of preference for our office. You will be provided with a receipt.

• Internet Banking
  • Westpac 03 0675 0329146 00. Please include your child's name and a payment description.
• Cheque in an envelope with child's name and room number then drop it into the Payments Box at the Office.
  
  • Instalments are fine, but please note children must pay for each day before they can go. We appreciate that this is a substantial cost to families. Many families set up an automatic payment to spread costs over the year. See the office staff if you would like more information about this,

The cost of the Choice Day will be determined by the preference made. Exact costs will be finalised in early Term 3.

Gear

Your child MUST have the correct gear

• Helmet
• Goggles or sunglasses (compulsory)
• Jacket
• Safety Vest
• Gloves
• Over Trousers or Ski Suit
• Sun Block
• Cut Lunch and Drink

Talk to your child's teacher well before the programme commences if your child does not have the correct gear. They may be able to borrow some items from the school but we need to know in advance. Children must have their own sunglasses or goggles and gloves as we do not have a supply.

Helmets

Helmets are compulsory for both students and adults involved in our ski programme. Please indicate if you have your own or need to use one of the school helmets. In 2007 we were very fortunate to have Outside Sports and AJ Hackett Bungy provide a large number of helmets for our school.

Safety Vests

All students and adults are required to wear the high visibility vests provided by Rotary/NZ Ski in 2009. The school will provide these for adults.

Lunch

Students must bring a lunch suitable for eating on the way to the mountain. In addition they need food that they can carry on them. It is not possible for students to purchase food and drinks on the mountain.

Parent Help

We require parents to help with the skiing/snowboard programme at all levels. Please complete the form sent home if you are available to help, or would like to be on the "on call" list and return it to school. We require parents who can commit, where possible, to the four full days. This not only makes it easier for organisation but helps the children considerably as they know who to look for and parents know the systems. We have found it most successful when our students are not assigned to the same group as their parent. It causes major difficulties to our organisation when parents pull out of skiing at the last minute. We do appreciate that there can be emergencies that arise which affect your ability to commit for the day.

Children's Details

Please complete the form sent home with your child and return to the school office before Friday 28 May . Ensure the height, weight and shoe size is completed for your child if they require rental equipment.

Cancellation

With such a large number of beginner skiers we are very cautious of taking our children up to the mountain on days when the weather is marginal. The decision to cancel is made as late as possible to give time for more certainty around the conditions. Children should come to school prepared to ski. Broadcasting of this will be via More FM and Classic Hits plus our School website.

Ability Guides

SKI ABILITY GUIDE

• Beginner, Level 1 - Salomon Learn to Ski
  • Never ever skied before
  • Goal : Learn about equipment, safety and responsibility code. Make a controlled stop and basic turns and use the surface lift.

• Novice, Level 2 - Progression Pack
  • You can stop in a wedge and make basic turns
  • Goal : Gain confidence on beginner lifts and easy green runs, link turns with control and with rhythm.

• Intermediate, Level 3a - Progression Pack
  • You make linked wedge turns with comfortable speed control on all green runs and ride chairlifts
  • Goal : To match your skis to parallel at the end of each turn and gain confidence on chairlifts and green trails.

• Intermediate, Level 3b - Progression Pack
  • You match your skis to parallel from the middle of your turn. Ski with confidence on all green/easy and some blue trails.
  • Goal : Ski blue runs with confidence, match skis to parallel for most turns

• Intermediate, Level 4 - Progression Pack
  • You ski blue runs confidently and match skis to parallel very early in the turn
  • Goal : To make round and controlled parallel turns and to use a pole plant. Ski steeper blue trails with confidence

• Advanced, Level 5 - Progression Pack
  • You make strong turns on all steep blue runs with confidence and speed control and use a pole plant
  • Goal : To make dynamic carving turns, long and short radius turns with pole plant. Ski easy bumps and groomed black runs with confidence

• Advanced, Level 6 - Progression Pack
  • You make dynamic carving turns on black runs. You ski with control off-piste and in easy bumps.
  • Goal : Ski with precise technique and form in all conditions and terrain. Ski more dynamically with less effort.

SNOWBOARD ABILITY GUIDE

• Beginner, Level 1 - Burton Learn to Ride
  • Never ever snowboarded before
  • Goal : Learn about equipment, safety and the responsibility code. Basic stance and balance, mobility exercises, basic turns and ride the surface lift

• Novice, Level 2 - Progression Pack
  • You can make skidded traverses on both edges and are starting to link some basic turns on very easy green trails
  • Goal : To build confidence through control. Ride easy green trails. Improve basic stance. Use the surface and/or beginner chairlifts safely

• Intermediate, Level 3 - Progression Pack
  • You are comfortable linking skidded turns on easy green trails and can vary your turn size and shape.
  • Goal : To develop skills to ride confidently on green and some blue trails and ride in control with speed.

• Intermediate, Level 4 - Progression Pack
  • You ride on blue trails comfortably and in full control, you are balanced when turning both ways
  • Goal : Use different turn shapes and sizes and make a basic carved turn.
• Afternoon Freestyle Session at the Remarks
  • Freestyle Goal : Introduction to skills to ollie, jump and ride on blue terrain. Ride beginner terrain park features with confidence.

• Advanced, Level 5 - Progression Pack
  • You make carved turns, ride difficult blue and easy black terrain and use movements efficiently.
  • Goal : Improve carved turns on blue and black terrain and make short, medium and long turns. Ride off-piste including bumps.
• Afternoon Freestyle at The Remarks
  • Freestyle : You can ride switch on blue terrain, are comfortable landing basic jumps and ollies, and ride the beginner terrain park with confidence.
  • Freestyle Goal : Develop skills in blue and easier black terrain park features, including jumps, spins, grabs and rails. Develop skills for smooth, efficient half-pipe riding.

• Advanced, Level 6 - Progression Pack
  • You ride confidently in all terrain and in all conditions.
    
  • Goal : Refine carving skills, precision, speed, control and versatility including bumps and off-piste.
• Afternoon Freestyle Session at The Remarks
  • Freestyle : You can confidently ride black terrain park features including jumps and rails. You ride the half pipe consistently getting air and landing in control.
  • Freestyle Goal : Refine your skills on difficult terrain park features and in the half pipe. Learn to consistently land the "big ones" with precision and smoothness.