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SNOWSPORT AREA OPERATIONS
Groom snow at a mountain area with a
snowgroomer
level:
3
credit:
20
planned review date:
June 2009
sub-field:
Snowsport
purpose:
People credited with this unit standard are able to:
demonstrate knowledge of a snowgroomer; describe the
main features of the selected snowsport area and the
services it provides; demonstrate personal safety practices
for snowgroomer operation at a snowsport area; describe
accident and emergency procedures during night operations;
drive a snowgroomer in a range of snow and weather
conditions; and groom snow.
This unit standard will be of interest to people working as
sole operators of a snowgrooming machine.
entry information:
Prerequisites: Unit 4573, Communicate in the outdoors using
two-way radio; and Unit 18100, Demonstrate knowledge of
safety, accident and emergency procedures for a snowsport
area; or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
accreditation option:
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
moderation option:
A centrally established and directed national moderation
system has been set up by Sport, Fitness and Recreation
Industry Training Organisation.
special notes:
1
It is a legal requirement of the Land Transport (Driver
Licensing) Rule 1999 to hold a Class 2 Driver Licence
with a T endorsement when driving a snowgroomer on
a snowsport area.
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12-Feb-16
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SNOWSPORT AREA OPERATIONS
Groom snow at a mountain area with a
snowgroomer
2
All activities must comply with the policies, procedures,
and requirements of the enterprises involved and any
relevant environmental, legislative and/or regulatory
requirements which include but are not limited to the
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 (HSE),
Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation
Act 2001, and their subsequent amendments and
associated regulations.
3
Snowsport area’s product is defined in terms of the
snow surface and conditions, its ability to be skied or
ridden by a range of skier or boarder abilities, the
expectations of customers, and the services provided
by the snowsport area.
4
Company or snowsport area policy and procedures are
instructions to staff that may be documented and
available for reference at each snowsport area in the
form of an operations manual. Service and operation
manuals which provide the manufacturer's
recommendations and operating instructions are
provided with each machine at time of purchase.
5
Information about snowgrooming patterns is generally
learnt on-the-job from supervisors and experienced
snowgroomer operators, and is sometimes available to
staff working for the snowgrooming department of a
snowsport area in the form of a company manual.
6
It is recommended that the competencies in this unit
standard be demonstrated and assessed within one
snowsport season.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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12-Feb-16
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SNOWSPORT AREA OPERATIONS
Groom snow at a mountain area with a
snowgroomer
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Demonstrate knowledge of a snowgroomer.
performance criteria
1.1
The components of a snowgroomer are described using technical terms, with
reference to the function of each component.
Range:
1.2
A routine maintenance check is completed prior to operation, in accordance
with manufacturer's recommendations and company or snowsport area policy
and procedures.
Range:
1.3
groomer dimensions, motive power, hydraulic systems,
snowgrooming equipment.
engine oil and fuel, hydraulic oil, coolant, park brakes, lights, drive
controls, dash instruments, track condition and tension, wheels,
stub axles, working attachments – connectors, hydraulic hoses.
Knowledge of machine lubrication points and fluid requirement is demonstrated
in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations and snowsport area
procedures.
Range:
push frame and pins, quick hitch, lubricants.
1.4
Pre-check and maintenance logs are completed according to operational
requirements.
1.5
Start-up and shut-down procedures are demonstrated according to
manufacturer's operating instructions and snowsport area procedures.
Range:
start-up – includes warm-up procedures;
shut-down includes but is not limited to – de-icing and/or removal
of excess snow from the machine, snowgrooming implements,
and working parts such as wiper blades; visual check of all
components.
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SNOWSPORT AREA OPERATIONS
Groom snow at a mountain area with a
snowgroomer
1.6
Actions of snow grooming personnel in the event of mechanical problems
during operation of the snowgroomer are described according to snowsport
area policy and procedures.
Range:
may include but is not limited to – flat tyre, blown hydraulic hose,
broken tracks, track failure.
element 2
Describe the main features of the selected snowsport area and the services it provides.
performance criteria
2.1
Services provided by the company or snowsport area are explained in terms of
how the snowgrooming operation impacts on other operations within the
company or snowsport area, and on snowsport area customers.
Range:
2.2
Description outlines the major natural and artificial features of the snowsport
area, including identification of snowgroomer access routes to each feature.
Range:
2.3
other operations may include – lift operation, patrol, racing,
instructors, catering department, maintenance, snowmaking
department.
natural features may include but are not limited to – peaks,
valleys, gullies, bluffs, streams, tarns;
artificial features may include but are not limited to – slope runs,
boundaries, lift lines, buildings, snowmaking hydrants, water
reservoir, sewage ponds.
Hazardous areas and/or conditions, and operating procedures in or near such
areas within the snowsport area, are described and comply with snowsport area
policy.
Range:
hazards may include – potential avalanche start zones and paths,
waterlogged snow, icy snow, soft snow, steep slopes, machinery,
restricted areas, rocks on main trails.
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SNOWSPORT AREA OPERATIONS
Groom snow at a mountain area with a
snowgroomer
element 3
Demonstrate personal safety practices for snowgroomer operation at a snowsport area.
performance criteria
3.1
Safe work practices are followed during snowgrooming operation, and comply
with company or snowsport area policy and procedures.
Range:
3.2
practices include – passenger restrictions, towing and/or transport
of equipment, use of warning signals, loading of equipment,
refuelling;
snowgrooming operations includes – working near other
equipment and snowgroomers, in the workshop, while refuelling
the vehicle.
Communications are maintained with relevant staff during snowgrooming
operations and practice complies with company or snowsport area procedures.
Range:
may include but is not limited to – supervisor, base personnel,
other workers,
element 4
Describe accident and emergency procedures during night operations.
performance criteria
4.1
Required actions of snowgrooming personnel in the event of an accident or
injury are described according to company or snowsport area procedures.
Range:
describing site of accident using true right and true left terminology
or reference to trail names and location; basic life support
techniques – airway, breathing, circulation; communication with
patrol and/or management.
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Groom snow at a mountain area with a
snowgroomer
4.2
Required actions of snowgrooming personnel in the event of an emergency are
described according to company or snowsport area procedures.
Range:
emergencies may include – slide, weather, breakdown of
snowgroomer, fire, avalanche, lahar.
4.3
Key company or snowsport area personnel to whom a report would be made in
the event of an accident or injury are identified.
4.4
Key points and details for inclusion in an accident report are identified according
to company or snowsport area requirements.
element 5
Drive a snowgroomer in a range of snow and weather conditions.
Range:
snow conditions may include but are not limited to – hard-packed snow, soft
snow, ice, packed powder, powder, spring snow;
weather conditions must include – poor visibility; windy; precipitation – rain,
snow, sleet.
performance criteria
5.1
A description is given of the advantages and limitations of the performance of a
snowgroomer for a range of snow and weather conditions.
5.2
Snowgroomer is operated according to manufacturer's operating instructions
and company or snowsport area policy.
Range:
forward, reverse, stopping, parking, turning, controlling speed,
uphill, downhill, crossing a slope.
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Groom snow at a mountain area with a
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5.3
A snowgroomer route is selected taking into account customers and workers,
machinery and equipment, restricted areas, environmental conditions, the
operating features of the vehicle, and company or snowsport area
requirements.
Range:
machinery and equipment may include – snowmaking hydrants,
guns, and hoses; chairlifts, surface ropeways, lift stations; other
snowgroomers, snowmobiles, signs and fences;
restricted areas – as required by landowners or managers – this
may include but is not limited to bogs, sewage ponds, water
reservoirs;
environmental conditions may include – snowpack, surface snow
conditions, terrain, slope, visibility, avalanche hazard, night or
daytime;
requirements may include – warning signals used, speed
controlled, designated routes used.
element 6
Groom snow.
performance criteria
6.1
Snow is groomed around features of the snowsport area according to company
or snowsport area procedures and to the standard required by management.
Range:
6.2
must include a minimum of three of the following – on-trail, loading
areas, lift lines, access tracks, queuing areas, unloading areas,
buildings;
the standard required includes – minimum clearance distances
around buildings, under lift lines, around lift stations.
Snow conservation techniques are described in accordance with company or
snowsport area requirements.
Range:
snow conservation techniques may include but are not limited to –
pushing snow uphill in low snow or high traffic areas, clearing,
building-up, smoothing out, consolidation and/or compaction of
snowpack.
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Groom snow at a mountain area with a
snowgroomer
6.3
Snow is groomed to a snowgrooming pattern using a range of implements, and
to the standards and requirements of the company or snowsport area.
Range:
6.4
snowgrooming pattern includes – overlap of passes, windrows and
walls on the edges of runs cleaned up, turnaround marks,
implement selected and adjusted for snow conditions;
implements may include but are not limited to – tiller, blade,
packer or compactor bar, blower, trailer, powdermaker tool, winch,
half-pipe shaper, excavator.
Records of snowgrooming are kept according to snowsport area requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Sport, Fitness and Recreation Industry Training Organisation
info@sfrito.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Please Note
Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority or a delegated interinstitutional body before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards
or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before
they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for providers wishing to
develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and
assessors, and special resource requirements.
This unit standard is covered by AMAP 0050 which can be accessed at
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/site/framework/search.html.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016