Learn snow safety, first aid, trail systems, and equipment care. Choose from downhill skiing, cross-country, snowboarding, or snowshoeing to earn this merit badge.

Requirements

  1. 1. Safety Foundations

    Hazards & First Aid Topics

    Do all
    Do the following:
    1. a.

      Explain to your counselor the hazards you are most likely to encounter while participating in snow sport activities, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.

    2. b.
      Discuss first aid and prevention for the types of injuries or illnesses that could occur while participating in snow sports, including hypothermia, frostbite, shock, dehydration, sunburn, concussion, fractures, bruises, sprains, and strains. Tell how to apply splints.

  2. 2. First Aid in the Field

    Rendering & Reporting Aid

    Do all
    Do the following:
    1. a.

      Explain why every snow sport participant should be prepared to render first aid in the event of an accident.

    2. b.

      Explain the procedure used to report an accident to the local ski patrol or local emergency personnel.

  3. 3. Trail Navigation

    Trail Marking System

    Explain the international trail-marking system.

  4. 4. Getting Fit & Geared Up

    Fitness for Snow Sports

    Discuss the importance of strength, endurance, and flexibility in snow sports. Demonstrate exercises and activities you can do to get fit for the option you choose in requirement 7.

  5. 4. Getting Fit & Geared Up

    Clothing & Equipment

    Present yourself properly clothed and equipped for the option you choose in requirement 7. Discuss how the clothing you have chosen will help keep you warm and protected.

  6. 6. Mountain Safety Codes

    Responsibility, SMART Style & Avalanche

    Do all
    Do ALL of the following:
    1. a.
      Explain the elements of the Your Responsibility Code that is in effect at the location whehre you will ski, snowboard, or snowshoe. Explain why each person must follow this code.
    2. b.
      Explain the SMART Style safety program. Tell why it is important and how it applies to participants at snow sport venues like terrain parks and pipes.
    3. c.

      Explain the precautions pertaining to avalanche safety, including the responsibility of individuals regarding avalanche safety.

  7. 7. Choose Your Option

    Pick Your Snow Sport

    Choose 1
    Do ONE of the following options:

    1. Downhill (Alpine) Skiing

      Do all
      Do ALL of the following: Note: Generally, a gentle slope will be a trail designated by a green circle, a slightly steeper slope will be a green circle or blue square trail, and an intermediate slope will be a blue square trail. However, your counselor should determine what type of hill is most suited to your skill level and allows you to demonstrate each of the required skills.
      1. 1.

        Wax, Bindings & DIN

        Show how to wax and maintain your skis and use/maintain your release bindings. Explain the international DIN standard and what it means to skiers.
      2. 2.

        American Teaching System

        Explain the American Teaching System and a basic snowskiing progression.
      3. 3.

        Types of Alpine Skis

        Discuss the different types of Alpine skis. Demonstrate two ways to carry skis and poles safely and easily.
      4. 4.

        Riding a Lift

        Demonstrate how to ride one kind of lift and explain how to ride two others.
      5. 5.

        Beginning Maneuvers

        On a gentle slope, demonstrate some of the beginning maneuvers learned in skiing. Include the straight run, gliding wedge, wedge stop, sidestep, and herringbone maneuvers.
      6. 6.

        Linked Wedge Turns

        On slightly steeper terrain, show linked wedge turns.
      7. 7.

        Christies

        On a moderate slope, demonstrate five to 10 christies.
      8. 8.

        Controlled Run

        Make a controlled run down an intermediate slope.
      9. 9.

        Varied Conditions

        Demonstrate the ability to ski in varied conditions, including changes in pitch and snow conditions. Maintain your balance and ability to turn.
      10. 10.

        Major Ski Organizations

        Name the major ski organizations in the United States and explain their functions.

    2. Cross-Country (Nordic) Skiing

      Do all
      DO ALL of the following:
      1. 1.

        Equipment Selection

        Show your ability to select, use, and maintain equipment for cross-country skiing in safety and comfort.
      2. 2.

        Trail Rules

        Explain the reasons for common rules, including no walking on ski trails, one-way ski direction, no pets, and no skiing on snowmobile trails.
      3. 3.

        Types of Nordic Skis

        Discuss classic, skating, touring, and telemark skis.
      4. 4.

        Waxing for Touring

        Discuss the basic principles of waxing for cross-country ski touring.
      5. 5.

        Skiing Styles Compared

        Discuss the differences between cross-country, backcountry/ski touring, ski mountaineering, and downhill/telemark skiing.
      6. 6.

        One-Day Tour Gear

        List the items you would take on a one-day ski tour.
      7. 7.

        Map & Compass

        Demonstrate the proper use of a topographic map and compass.
      8. 8.

        Speed & Direction Control

        On a gentle, packed slope, show some basic ways to control speed and direction. Include the straight run, traverse, side slip, step turn, wedge stop, and wedge turn maneuvers.
      9. 9.

        Propulsion Technique

        On a cross-country trail, demonstrate effective propulsion by showing proper weight transfer form ski to ski, pole timing, rhythm, flow, and glide.
      10. 10.

        4-Mile Tour

        Demonstrate your ability, on a 4-mile tour, to cope with an average variety of snow conditions. Note: Adaptive skiers may complete a 1-mile tour with prior approval from their counselor.
      11. 11.

        Steep Hills & Difficult Conditions

        Demonstrate several methods of dealing with steep hills or difficult conditions. Include traverses and kick turns going uphill and downhill, sidesteps, and pole drag.

    3. Snowboarding

      Do all
      Do ALL of the following: Note: Generally, a gentle slope will be a trail designated by a green circle, a slightly steeper slope will be a green circle or blue square trail, and an intermediate slope will be a blue square trail. However, your counselor should determine what type of hill is most suited to your skill level and allows you to demonstrate the required skills.
      1. 1.

        Forward-Fall Injuries

        Discuss forward-fall injuries.
      2. 2.

        Equipment Selection

        Show your ability to select the correct equipment for snowboarding and to use it for safety and comfort.
      3. 3.

        Bindings & Leashes

        Show how to use and maintain your own bindings, and explain the use of the different binding methods. Explain the need for leashes.
      4. 4.

        Types of Snowboards

        Discuss the four types of snowboards. Demonstrate how to carry a snowboard easily and safely.
      5. 5.

        Riding a Lift

        Demonstrate how to ride one kind of lift and explain how to ride two others.
      6. 6.

        Waxing a Snowboard

        Demonstrate the basic principles of waxing a snowboard.
      7. 7.

        Beginning & Intermediate Maneuvers

        Do all
        Do the following:
        1. a.
          On a gentle slope, demonstrate beginning snowboarding maneuvers. Show basic ways to control speed and direction. Include the sideslipping maneuver.
        2. b.

          On slightly steeper terrain, show traversing.

      8. 8.

        Ollie, Nose-End Grab & Wheelie

        On a moderate slope, demonstrate an ollie, a nose-end grab, and a wheelie.
      9. 9.

        Controlled Run

        Make a controlled run down an intermediate slope.
      10. 10.

        Varied Conditions

        Demonstrate your ability to ride in varied conditions, including changes in pitch, snow conditions, and moguls. Maintain your balance and ability to turn.
      11. 11.

        Major Snowboarding Organizations

        Name the major snowboarding organizations in the United States and explain their functions.

    4. Snowshoeing

      Do all
      Do ALL of the following:
      1. 1.

        Parts of a Snowshoe

        Name the parts of a snowshoe.
      2. 2.

        Choosing the Right Size

        Explain how to choose the correct size of snowshoe.
      3. 3.

        Types & Specialized Uses

        Describe the different types of snowshoes and their specialized uses. Discuss factors to consider when choosing a snowshoe.
      4. 4.

        Care & Maintenance

        Explain how to properly care for and maintain snowshoes.
      5. 5.

        One-Day Hike Gear

        List the items you would take on a one-day snowshoe hike.
      6. 6.

        Best Areas & Backcountry

        Describe areas that are best for snowshoeing. Discuss some advantages and dangers of backcountry snowshoeing.
      7. 7.

        Benefits of Snowshoeing

        Discuss the benefits of snowshoeing.
      8. 8.

        Trail Techniques

        Demonstrate the most efficient ways to break trail, climb uphill, travel downhill and traverse a slope.
      9. 9.

        2-Mile Snowshoe Hike

        Demonstrate your ability, on a 2-mile snowshoe hike, to cope with an average variety of snow conditions.
      10. 10.

        Map & Compass

        Demonstrate the proper use of a topographic map and compass.