Getting Started

Introduction & Overview

Snow-covered slopes, frosted trails, silent forests — snow sports put you in some of the most beautiful places on Earth. Whether you love the rush of flying downhill on skis, the quiet rhythm of cross-country touring, the freedom of a snowboard, or the simple pleasure of strapping on snowshoes and hiking where no trail exists, this badge gives you the skills and knowledge to enjoy winter safely.

The Snow Sports merit badge covers four different activities. You only need to master one of them in depth — but along the way every Scout will learn the safety codes, first aid, and outdoor ethics that apply to all snow sports.

Then and Now

Then

People have been traveling on skis for thousands of years. Rock carvings in Norway dating back more than 5,000 years show hunters on skis pursuing reindeer. In medieval Scandinavia, skis were tools of survival — the fastest way to move through deep winter snow for hunting, war, and communication.

Snowshoeing has an equally ancient history in North America. Indigenous peoples across the continent developed many different snowshoe designs — each suited to their local terrain and snow — long before European contact.

Competitive skiing began in the mid-1800s in mining camps in California and the Norwegian mountains. By the early 1900s, Alpine skiing had become a sport, and by 1936 it was an Olympic event. Snowboarding grew out of the surf and skateboard culture of the 1960s and 1970s, reaching the Winter Olympics in 1998.

Now

Today, more than ten million Americans ski or snowboard each season. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing have surged in popularity as more people discover how accessible and affordable they are — all you need is snow and a pair of legs.

Modern equipment has transformed the sports. Shaped skis make turning easier. Snowboard technology advances every year. Avalanche beacons, airbag packs, and better forecasting have made backcountry travel safer. And universal trail-marking systems and mountain safety codes mean that everyone — from beginner to expert — can share the mountain respectfully.

Get Ready! This guide walks you through every requirement step by step. Safety comes first — Requirements 1 through 6 lay the foundation that every snow sport participant needs before heading to the mountain. Then Requirement 7 is yours to choose.

Kinds of Snow Sports

Snow sports cover a wide range of activities. Here is a quick look at what this badge includes:

Downhill (Alpine) Skiing — Option A

Alpine skiing is what most people picture when they think of skiing: riding a chairlift to the top of a mountain and skiing down groomed trails or through powder. Modern shaped skis carve turns with much less effort than the straight planks of a generation ago.

Cross-Country (Nordic) Skiing — Option B

Nordic skiing uses skis with a free heel — your heel lifts off the ski with each stride, which is what makes propulsion possible. Classic Nordic skiing glides along groomed tracks. Skate skiing looks like ice skating on skis. Touring takes you off marked trails into the backcountry.

Snowboarding — Option C

Snowboarding straps both feet to a single board and uses edge angles to carve turns and control speed. Terrain parks, halfpipes, and open groomed runs are all part of the snowboarding world.

Snowshoeing — Option D

Snowshoeing is the most accessible snow sport of all: strap a pair of snowshoes to any boot or hiking shoe and you can walk across deep snow that would swallow your feet otherwise. No lifts, no lessons, no groomed runs required.

Ready to start? Requirements 1 and 2 cover the safety and first aid knowledge every snow sport participant needs — no matter which option you choose.