The National Alpine Skills Assessment is a Ski & Snowboard Australia initiative dedicated to providing aspiring athletes with a comprehensive understanding of their strengths and opportunities for improvement in relation to the key fundamental skills associated with Alpine skiing.

Fundamental movement skills are about the Athlete’s ability to have awareness of their body relative to their environment, to control their movements and to maintain or regain their balance. Possessing a well-rounded repertoire of fundamental movements is a key component to building a successful platform for long-term athlete development, maximising your talent potential, versatility and adaptability and minimising the risk of injury.

The National Alpine Skills Assessment brochure outlines the on-snow foundation skills which are vital for athlete development. It is encouraged that athletes and parents read through the National Alpine Skill Assessment brochure and learn and practice these skills daily.

The National Alpine Skills Assessment is not a test, it’s an assessment of these foundation skills, that provides valuable feedback for long term development.

The National Alpine Skills Assessment is conducted by elite level coaches who individually assess each athlete. The individualised data collected on each athlete will provide clubs with an evidence-based approach to programming and skill building.

In conjunction with the athletes, the club coaching staff and the National Development Coaches can design program plans to enable athletes’ quantifiable opportunities to make improvements during the season. This framework enables Interschools athletes, SSA Pathway athletes, coaches and parents the ability to track development over time. The earlier in the season the assessment is conducted the better-equipped clubs will be to have an evidence-based approach to designing their programming and developing skill in their athletes.

Who is it for?

The National Alpine Skills Assessment is open to everyone, whether they are club members, or involved in seasonal ski school programs. Whether you are participating in interschools competition, SSA and FIS events, or the World Cup in Alpine or Ski Cross, the National Alpine Skills Assessment will help you achieve your goals. All athletes wanting to take part must be a Alpine member and register directly for the Alpine Skills Assessment.

SSA is in the process of developing a Snowboard version of this assessment.  More information regarding the Alpine National Skills Assessment is available to view here.

Please follow this link to register your child for the Skills Assessment occuring at Falls Creek https://www.skiandsnowboard.org.au/alpine/national-skills-assessment/