Snow Sports Merit Badge Pamphlet Snow Sports Merit Badge

Snow Sports


Requirements were REVISED effective January 1, 2016.

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  1. Do the following:
    1. 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. 1. Discuss winter sports safety, and show that you know first aid for Discuss first aid and prevention for the types of injuries or illnesses that could occur while skiing or riding participating in snow sports, including hypothermia, frostbite, shock, dehydration, sunburn, fractures, bruises, sprains, and strains. Tell how to apply splints.
  2. Do the following:
    1. 2. Explain why every skier or snowboarder snow sport participant should be prepared to render first aid in the event of an accident.
    2. 3. Explain the procedure used to report an accident to the local ski patrol for the area where you usually ski or ride, ride, or snowshoe.
  3. Explain the international trail-marking system.
  4. 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. 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. 4. Do EACH of the following:
    1. Tell the meaning of the Your Responsibility Code for skiers and snow-boarders, and snowshoers. Explain why each rider must follow this code.
    2. Explain the Smart Style safety program. Tell why it is important and how it applies to skiers and snowboarders participants at snow sport venues in terrain parks and pipes.
    3. Explain the precautions pertaining to avalanche safety, including the responsibility of individuals regarding avalanche safety.
    4. Tell the meaning of the Wilderness Use Policy. Explain why each skier and snowboarder must adopt this policy.
  7. 5. Complete all of the requirements for ONE of the following options: downhill (Alpine) skiing OR cross-country (Nordic) skiing OR snowboarding OR snowshoeing.
    • Downhill (Alpine) Skiing
      1. Show how to use and maintain your own release bindings and explain the use of two others. Explain the international DIN standard and what it means to skiers.
      2. Explain the American Teaching System and a basic snow-skiing progression.
      3. c. Name the major ski organizations in the United States and explain their functions.
        d. Discuss the five types of Alpine skis. Demonstrate two ways to carry skis and poles safely and easily.
      4. Demonstrate how to ride one kind of lift and explain how to ride two others.
        e. Explain the importance of strength, endurance, and flexibility in downhill skiing. Demonstrate exercises and activities you can do to get fit for skiing.
        f. Present yourself properly clothed and equipped for downhill skiing. Discuss how the clothing you have chosen will keep you warm and protected.
        g. Demonstrate how to ride one kind of lift and explain how to ride two others.
        h. Explain the international trail-marking system.
      5. i. 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. j. On slightly steeper terrain, show linked wedge turns.
      7. k. On a moderate slope, demonstrate five to 10 christies.
      8. l. Make a controlled run down an intermediate slope and demonstrate the following:
        1. Short-, medium-, and long-radius parallel turns
        2. A sideslip and safety (hockey) stop to each side
        3. Traverse across a slope
      9. m. Demonstrate the ability to ski in varied conditions, including changes in pitch, snow conditions, and moguls. Maintain your balance and ability to turn.
      10. Name the major ski organizations in the United States and explain their functions.
    • Cross-Country (Nordic) Skiing
      1. Show your ability to select, use, and repair, if necessary, the correct equipment for ski touring in safety and comfort.
      2. Discuss classical and telemark skis. Demonstrate two ways to carry skis and poles safely and easily.
      3. Discuss the basic principles of waxing for cross-country ski touring.
      4. Discuss the differences between cross-country skiing, ski touring, ski mountaineering, and downhill skiing.
      5. e. Explain the importance of strength, endurance, and flexibility in cross-country skiing. Demonstrate exercises and activities you can do to get fit for skiing.
        f. List the items you would take on a one-day ski tour.
      6. g. Present yourself properly clothed and equipped for a one-day ski tour. Discuss the correct use of your clothing and equipment , and how the clothing you have chosen will keep you warm and protected.
        h. Demonstrate the proper use of a topographic map and compass.
      7. i. Show a degree of stamina that will enable you to keep up with an average ski-touring group your age.
        j. On a gentle, packed slope, show some basic ways to control speed and direction. Include the straight run, traverse, sideslip side slip , step turn, wedge stop, and wedge turn maneuvers.
      8. k. On a cross-country trial (sic - should be "trail"), demonstrate effective propulsion by showing proper weight transfer form (sic - should be "from") ski to ski, pole timing, rhythm, flow, and glide.
      9. l. Demonstrate your ability, on a tour, to cope with an average variety of snow conditions.
      10. m. Demonstrate several methods of dealing with steep hills or difficult conditions. Include traverses and kick turns going uphill and downhill, sidesteps, pole drag, and ski-pole "glissade."
    • Snowboarding
      1. a. Discuss forward-fall injuries. Tell about prevention and what action must be taken in the event of any type of injury or accident.
      2. b. Do the following:
        1. Demonstrate your ability to select the correct equipment for snowboarding and to use it for safety and comfort.
        2. Present yourself properly clothed and equipped for snowboarding. Discuss how the clothing you have chosen will keep you warm and protected.
        Show your ability to select the correct equipment for snowboarding and to use it for safety and comfort.
      3. c. Show how to use and maintain your own bindings, and explain the use of the different binding methods. Explain the need for leashes.
      4. d. Discuss the four types of snowboards. Demonstrate how to carry a snowboard easily and safely.
      5. e. Demonstrate exercises and activities that will get you fit for snowboarding.
        f. Demonstrate how to ride one kind of lift and explain how to ride two others.
      6. g. Explain the international trail-marking system.
        h. Demonstrate the basic principles of waxing a snowboard.
      7. i. Do the following:
        1. On a gentle slope, demonstrate beginning snowboarding maneuvers. Show basic ways to control speed and direction. Include the sideslipping side slipping maneuver.
        2. On slightly steeper terrain, show traversing.
      8. j. On a moderate slope, demonstrate an ollie, a nose-end grab, and a wheelie.
      9. k. Make a controlled run down an intermediate slope and demonstrate the following:
        1. Skidded, carved, and jump turns
        2. Stops
        3. Riding fakie
      10. l. Demonstrate your ability to ride in varied conditions, including changes in pitch, snow conditions, and moguls. Maintain your balance and ability to turn.
      11. m. Name the major snowboarding organizations in the United States and explain their functions.
    • Snowshoeing Option
      1. Name the parts of a snowshoe.
      2. Explain how to choose the correct size of snowshoe.
      3. Describe the different types of snowshoes and their specialized uses. Discuss factors to consider when choosing a snowshoe.
      4. Explain how to properly care for and maintain snowshoes.
      5. Describe how to make an emergency snowshoe.
      6. Describe areas that are best for snowshoeing. Discuss some advantages and dangers of backcountry snowshoeing.
      7. Discuss the benefits of snowshoeing.
      8. Demonstrate the most efficient ways to break trail, climb uphill, travel downhill and traverse a slope.
      9. Take a two-mile snowshoe hike with a buddy or your troop.
      10. Demonstrate your ability, on a hike, to cope with an average variety of snow conditions.

Note to the Merit Badge Counselor:

Section 7.0.1.1 Qualifications of Counselors, in the 2015 Guide to Advancement (BSA Publication 33088 - SKU 620573) has specific special qualifications or certifications for either the merit badge counselor or the supervisor of certain activities that may be involved with the Snow Sports Merit Badge, as follows:

Snow Sports. Activities in the field must be supervised by a mature and conscientious adult 21 years or older who is committed to compliance with BSA Winter Sports Safety as defined in the Guide to Safe Scouting.


BSA Advancement ID#: 135
Requirements last updated in: 2016
Pamphlet Publication Number: 35951
Pamphlet Stock (SKU) Number: 637684
Pamphlet Revision Date: 2017

Worksheets for use in working on these requirements: Format
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Blanks in this worksheets table appear when we do not have a worksheet for the badge that includes these requirements.


Page updated on: December 17, 2023



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