All worksheets / Snow Sports
Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Snow Sports
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Snow Sports is earned on mountain slopes or cross-country snow trails. You will choose between alpine skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, or snowshoeing. You will learn cold-weather survival, avalanche safety, and the skier responsibility code, then demonstrate controlled turns, stops, and technical maneuvers on intermediate terrain.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Winter Mountain Safety & Responsibility Code
- Equipment Fitting, Bindings & Tuning
- Carving Turns, Traverses & Stopping on Slopes
- Lift Operations, Trail Etiquette & Endurance
6Printable Pages
7Requirements
2026Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Snow Sports Requirements
Every requirement for the Snow Sports merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Hazards and First Aid
Do the following:
- a 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.
- b Discuss first aid and prevention for the types of injuries or illnesses that could occur while participating in snow sports, including hypothermia, frostbite, shock, dehydration, sunburn, concussion, fractures, bruises, sprains, and strains. Tell how to apply splints.
2Preparedness and Reporting an Accident
Do the following:
- a Explain why every snow sport participant should be prepared to render first aid in the event of an accident.
- b Explain the procedure used to report an accident to the local ski patrol or local emergency personnel.
3The International Trail-Marking System
Explain the international trail-marking system.
4Strength, Endurance, and Flexibility
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.
5Clothing and Equipment
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.
6Your Responsibility Code and Avalanche Safety
Do ALL of the following:
- a Explain the elements of the Your Responsibility Code that is in effect at the location where you will ski, snowboard, or snowshoe. Explain why each person must follow this code.
- b Explain the SMART Style safety program. Tell why it is important and how it applies to participants at snow sport venues like terrain parks and pipes.
- c Explain the precautions pertaining to avalanche safety, including the responsibility of individuals regarding avalanche safety.
7Option Selection
Do ONE of the following options:
- Option A—Downhill (Alpine) Skiing. Do ALL of the following Note: Generally, a gentle slope will be a trail designated by a green circle, a slightly steeper slope will be a green circle or blue square trail, and an intermediate slope will be a blue square trail. However, your counselor should determine what type of hill is most suited to your skill level and allows you to demonstrate each of the required skills.
- Option B—Cross-Country (Nordic) Skiing. Do ALL of the following
- Option C—Snowboarding. Do ALL of the following Note: Generally, a gentle slope will be a trail designated by a green circle, a slightly steeper slope will be a green circle or blue square trail, and an intermediate slope will be a blue square trail. However, your counselor should determine what type of hill is most suited to your skill level and allows you to demonstrate the required skills.
- a On a gentle slope, demonstrate beginning snowboarding maneuvers. Show basic ways to control speed and direction. Include the sideslipping maneuver.
- b On slightly steeper terrain, show traversing.
- Option D—Snowshoeing. Do ALL of the following
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Snow Sports requirements in 2026. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/snow-sports/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
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