The Tests
The tests were introduced by the Swiss Ski School Villars as long ago as the winter of 1938. This was undoubtedly an avant-garde marketing tool… These tests were primarily aimed at an adult, English-speaking clientele eager to assess their progress. However, they were to arouse only moderate interest.
At the time, the assessment system provided for three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold, which remained unchanged until the end of the 90s. The technical content of these tests changed little until the end of the century.
As interest in testing continued to grow, the palette of three existing tests was supplemented in the 70s by three intermediate levels: the Mini-Test, the Villars Test and the Parallel Test. As a result, student progress is more evenly spread, and the number of tests taken will increase quintuple over the next thirty years.
The Swiss Snow League was introduced to all Swiss Ski Schools in winter 2000. It was a great success from the outset, reviving guests’ interest in ski tests, which had fallen somewhat into neglect in the 90s. The idea of exams is banished in favour of continuous assessment by the teacher himself, saving our young guests a lot of stomach cramps. The increased number of levels significantly reduces the number of failures and satisfies parents. Updated technical requirements encourage a multi-disciplinary approach.
The continuous assessment system has now been adopted by most European countries. It generated added value for the ski schools while improving service to resort guests.
