Six stages of learning — skiing
The STRAMA Ski School's own programme — 6 stages, 6 Stramus Bear Badges.
NartyThe STRAMA Ski School's own programme
STRAMA Ski and Snowboard School was the first in Poland to develop its own system for teaching children to ski. It was built on the many years of experience of qualified ski instructors and grew out of the need to pass on a passion for this winter sport to the youngest. With the start of the 2011 ski season, the first courses under the 6 Stramus Bear Badges programme set off, prepared especially for young ski enthusiasts.
All children are welcome in the Stramus Bear Club — those who are only just beginning their adventure with skiing and those who want to refine the skills they already have.
The programme consists of 6 stages. Once a child has mastered the skills assigned to each stage and passed the exam, they receive a special Stramus Bear badge. The exams are run by instructors of the STRAMA School.
Every child also receives a logbook in which their progress is recorded. The young pupils are accompanied by their most loyal supporter — the Stramus Bear mascot.
Stage I: red badge
Joining the Stramus Bear Club. Getting used to skis, moving about on skis unaided, short runs with a stop. Skiing without poles.
- A 360-degree turn on skis — standing on flat ground, the child turns around their own axis, stepping from one ski to the other
- Sidestepping uphill and getting up from the snow unaided after a fall — standing sideways to the fall line, the child climbs by moving the upper ski out and bringing the lower ski up to it; the climb ends with a sideways sit-down in the snow and getting up unaided
- A slow run and a stop in the snowplough position — over a section of about 30 m on a gently inclined slope, with the arms spread out to the sides or the hands resting on the knees
Stage II: blue badge
Snowplough runs along a set course unaided, speed control, ski coordination exercises. Skiing without poles. The badge is awarded after passing the exam.
- A run along the fall line, alternating between the snowplough and the parallel position — skis parallel (gaining speed), then moving into the snowplough position (slowing down)
- Ski coordination tasks — a run while passing a "baton" in front of the body from the right hand to the left with the arms outstretched
- Snowplough slalom along a set course — passing obstacles with turns of varying radius
1 ski
2 tasks
2 skis
3 tasks full badge
Stage III: green badge
Putting the skis on and riding the drag lift unaided, speed control, parallel position of the skis in the final phase of the turn. Skiing with poles. The badge is awarded after passing the exam.
- A run with turns — the skis kept parallel through most of the turn, the turn may be started from the snowplough; line: slalom
- A ski obstacle course — a run along a set course with turns of varying radius, passing under an obstacle, a sudden stop
- Ski tunnel — a run through the tunnel in the tuck position (correct body position), stopping at a set point beyond the tunnel
1 ski
2 tasks
2 skis
3 tasks full badge
Stage IV: bronze badge
Correct skiing position, proper weighting and unweighting of the skis. Skiing with poles. The badge is awarded after passing the exam.
- Basic NW turn — a run keeping the skis parallel in every phase of the turn, with a clearly marked "down–up" movement; the skis steered in a skid
- Changing the rhythm and radius of the turn — a slalom course, alternately shorter and longer turns, changed smoothly; every turn is preceded by a pole plant
- Tuck position — a run down a giant slalom in the correct tuck position
1 ski
2 tasks
2 skis
3 tasks full badge
Stage V: silver badge
Command of parallel turns and a correct skiing position, coordination of movements in short-radius turns. Skiing with poles. The badge is awarded after passing the exam.
- Parallel NW turn — a turn with a pole plant, a run keeping the skis parallel with a clearly marked "down–up" movement
- Parallel turn — a correct run keeping the skis parallel in all phases of the turn; correct skiing position and riding on the edges
- Giant slalom — a run within a limit of 20% over the time set by the instructor (e.g. instructor's time 20.00 s → qualifying time 24.00 s)
1 ski
2 tasks
2 skis
3 tasks full badge
Stage VI: gold badge
The ability to ride on the edges, a correct skiing position, varied forms of skiing, all-round skiing ability. Skiing with poles. The badge is awarded after passing the exam.
- Short swing — a dynamic run in short turns with a pole plant and full speed control; correct skiing position and riding on the edges
- Off-piste skiing — a run down a difficult route using turns of varying radius, coping with difficult skiing conditions, a jump off a terrain feature of the skier's choice
- Giant slalom — a run within a limit of 15% over the time set by the instructor (e.g. instructor's time 20.00 s → qualifying time 23.00 s)
1 ski
2 tasks
2 skis
3 tasks full badge
