The Calgary Zone Ski & Snowboard Evaluation is designed to ensure you have the strong foundational skills needed to operate safely on the mountain. As a ski patroller, much of your work happens on snow—whether you are transporting rescue toboggans with patients or carrying medical equipment across challenging terrain.
We conduct this evaluation at the start of the process for two main reasons:
- Safety First: Our priority is keeping everyone safe on the slopes—including you, your teammates, and the people we help every day.
- Protecting Your Investment: The Advanced First Aid course requires a significant commitment of time and effort. We want to verify your skiing or boarding level upfront so you can move forward into the program with confidence.
Ski/Snowboard Evaluation Day Schedule
Once you have registered and paid your fees for the evaluation, you will receive a confirmation email with specific meeting locations and directions. The schedule is generally as follows. Please note all times are approximate and are subject to change.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. | Arrival: Arrive at the ski area and prepare your gear. |
| 8:00 – 8:45 a.m. | Check-in: Welcome briefing, group assignments (max. 8 per group), and distribution of lift tickets and bibs. |
| 8:45 a.m. | Load Lifts: Groups head to the mountain. |
| 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. | Morning Session: Warm-up runs followed by initial evaluation runs. |
| 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Afternoon Session: Continued evaluation across various terrain. |
| 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Wrap-up: Return bibs, receive evaluation results, and individual debriefs. |
What to Expect: Evaluation Guidelines
To promote a fair and consistent experience, we follow these guidelines during the session:
- Demonstration: Before each objective, evaluators will explain and demonstrate the required turns and speed.
- Individual Runs: To give you plenty of space, participants descend one at a time.
- Best of Two: You will have two runs for each objective. Your evaluation will be based on the stronger of your two attempts.
- Finding Your Rhythm: We understand it takes a moment to settle in. Your first few turns are not evaluated to allow you to find your flow.
- Focus on Consistency: We do not provide coaching or technical feedback during the evaluation. We’ve found that trying to adjust your technique mid-test can be distracting; we want you to ski naturally and comfortably.
- Video Recording: We may record runs for internal training or to provide detailed feedback during your debrief.
- Zone vs. Resort Standards: This evaluation is for the Calgary Zone level. Please be aware that individual ski resorts may require additional skill evaluation specific to their terrain.
What to Expect: Evaluation Objectives
Below, you will find descriptions and videos of the specific skills we evaluate. At this time, we only have video demonstrations for skiing. Snowboarding videos are in development.
Objective #1: Short Turn
Description: These are steered turns made within a 1 cat width (15 feet) corridor. We are looking for “consistent intermediate speed with consistent turn shape”.
Terrain: Groomed blue or black runs
Demonstration Videos:
Notes:
- These are smooth arc turns.
- These are not carved turns or jump turns.
Objective #2: Side Slip with a Change of Direction
Description: This is a slide slip with a change of direction with minimal travel across the fall line (within 1 cat width or one ski length on both ends).
Terrain: Groomed steep blue or black runs
Demonstration Videos:
Notes:
- Evaluators will provide instruction on this skill.
- The change of direction is not a turn; it is more of a pivot on the skis/board.
Objective #3: Moguls
Description: These turns are made within 2-3 cat widths (3-4 bumps) with consistent speed. We want you to make a deliberate line choice that will allow you to make linked turns through the moguls.
Terrain: Black mogul run; mogul size is between boot top to knees.
Demonstration Videos:
Note: Go for success: start slow, pick a line, and find your rhythm!
Objective #4: Varied Turns
Description: These turns are completed in variable terrain where the turn shape varies throughout the run of 2-3 cat widths due to changes in snow/terrain conditions with consistent speed.
Terrain: Black terrain: powder crud (not moguls, and not groomed).
Demonstration Videos:
Note: These turns link together several short/long turns followed by long/short turns. For example: 3 short turns, 3 long turns, 3 short turns.
Unsure of your Level?
If you are ready to join the patrol but aren’t certain if your skills meet the advanced criteria, we offer two ways to check your readiness before you commit to the evaluation day.
Option 1: Self-Reflection (Video Comparison)
A great way to gauge your own skill is to record yourself and compare it to our standards:
- Review the Standards: Watch our demonstration videos (linked above) to understand the required rhythm and skills.
- Record a Run: We recommend filming yourself on a mogul run, as this best showcases your balance and mobility.
- Compare: Look for similarities in speed, body position, and turn shape between your video and the demonstrations.
Option 2: The “Preview” (Informal Feedback)
For more direct guidance, you can submit a video to our On-Snow (OS) Coordinator for an informal preview.
- What to Send: Please submit a video of yourself skiing or riding a mogul run.
- What You’ll Receive: Our coordinator will let you know if you are meeting the objectives or if there are fundamental skills to work on before the formal evaluation.
- No Pressure: This is optional and is not a formal assessment and does not replace the formal ski/snowboard evaluation. It’s simply a tool to help you decide if you’re ready to sign up.
How to Submit a Preview Video
If you would like a preliminary review of your skills, please follow these guidelines to ensure our coordinators can give you the best feedback possible.
Submission Instructions
To keep things organized and avoid email size limits, please follow these steps:
- Send a Link: Email a hyperlink (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud) to marielle.flottat@skipatrol.ca. Please do not send video files as attachments.
- Include the Following Details:
- Identification: Describe what you are wearing (jacket and pant colours).
- Discipline: Ski, snowboard, or telemark.
- Location: The ski area and the specific name of the run.
- Conditions: Terrain details (e.g., mogul size, snow conditions).
Video Tips: Getting Your Best Shot
You don’t need a professional camera—a smartphone works great—but the following tips will help us see your technique clearly:
1. Framing and Orientation
- Go Horizontal: Always record in landscape (horizontal) mode. It provides a much better view of the slope and your turn shape.
- Capture the Full Body: Ensure your entire body is visible throughout the run.
- Avoid Zooming: Zooming often makes the footage shaky or blurry. It’s better to have the skier move toward and away from a fixed camera.
2. Choosing the Right Spot
- The “2/3 Rule”: Set up so we see roughly 10–12 turns as you come toward the camera and 6–8 turns as you ski away.
- The Terrain: Choose a run with a clear, consistent “fall line” (straight down). Avoid “rollers” or ledges that might hide your skis/board from the camera.
- Mogul Size: Ideally, find moguls that are boot-top to knee-height.
- Clear Surroundings: Try to find a window with minimal public traffic so we can focus entirely on your skiing.
3. Quick Technical Checks
- Clean the Lens: A quick wipe of the lens makes a massive difference in snow glare!
- Lighting: Try to avoid filming directly into the sun.
- Keep it Raw: No professional editing is required. Feel free to trim the very beginning or end, but we want to see the unedited flow of your turns.
Set Up for Success: Preparation Tips
To help you feel confident and ready for your evaluation, here are a few ways to prepare in the weeks leading up to the day:
1. Get the Mileage In
- Resort Over Backcountry: We recommend practicing at a ski resort rather than in the backcountry. Laps on groomed runs, powder crud, and moguls allow for the repetition that makes navigating different terrain feel like second nature.
- Variety is Key: Enjoy your runs and ski naturally, but also take time to ski with intention. Practice short- and long-radius turns, navigate moguls, and find some “crud” or variable snow.
- Confidence in different conditions: Variable conditions can be your best teacher. Spending time in flat light or on hardpack helps you fine-tune your “feel” for the snow, making you a more resilient and capable skier or rider.
2. Leverage Professional Resources
- Take a Lesson: Consider a session with a certified instructor (CSIA, CASI, or CANSI). They can provide technical drills specifically designed to improve the “advanced” skills we look for.
- Watch & Learn: Review official online videos from these organizations to see what high-level, efficient movement looks like.
3. Use Video Feedback
- Self-Review: Have a friend record you on your phone. It is often surprising to see the difference between how a turn feels and how it looks.
- Request a Preview: Don’t forget—you can send a video of a mogul run to our OS Coordinator for informal feedback before the evaluation day.
4. Equipment Readiness
- Choose the Right Gear: We recommend using standard downhill equipment. While backcountry or touring setups are great for the skin track, they can sometimes make it more difficult to demonstrate the techniques required for the evaluation. Note that you may use backcountry gear for the evaluation if you wish; however, backcountry gear is not permitted for ski patrol duties.
- Tune Your Gear: Ensure your skis or board are properly waxed and your edges are sharpened. Having equipment that performs predictably will let you focus entirely on your skiing.
If you have additional questions regarding the evaluation, please reach out to our OS coordinator: Marielle Flottat (marielle.flottat@skipatrol.ca)