Need a Skiing Video for a University Application?
For some students, skiing is much more than a holiday activity.
It can be part of their academic pathway, a practical assessment, a university application, or an important piece of evidence demonstrating their sporting ability.
Over the years, I have been contacted by students and parents who need something very specific: a professional skiing video that clearly shows the student’s ability on snow and meets the requirements of a particular university, school, examination board or application process.
This is very different from simply taking a few videos while skiing on holiday.
When a video is being submitted as part of an academic or sporting assessment, it needs to be planned, filmed and presented with a clear purpose.
That is where I can help.
As a private ski instructor based in Cervinia, I have worked with many young skiers who needed videos for university or educational purposes. One of the most recent examples involved filming skiing footage specifically around the AQA PE Skiing Requirements.
If you are a student looking for a ski instructor who can help you prepare and film your skiing video, or a parent searching online for someone who understands both skiing and what is required from this type of video, you are in the right place.
Why Do Students Need Skiing Videos for University?
The exact reason depends on the course and institution.
A university may ask for evidence of sporting ability, practical performance, previous experience or a specific discipline. In other cases, a student may need video footage for a physical education qualification or assessment.
This means there is no single universal format for a skiing university application video.
Every student should start by checking the exact requirements provided by their school, university or examination board.
Once you know what needs to be demonstrated, the next step is making sure the skiing footage actually shows it clearly.
That is where professional filming can make a significant difference.
A video filmed casually from the bottom of a piste may show that somebody can ski.
It does not necessarily show how they ski.
For an assessment, the difference can be extremely important.
The camera needs to be positioned correctly, the skier needs enough space to demonstrate the required movements, and the footage needs to make the relevant technical elements easy to see.
AQA PE Skiing Requirements
One of the reasons I recently worked on a student ski video was the AQA Physical Education skiing assessment.
AQA currently lists skiing as one of the activities that can be assessed within its Physical Education qualifications.
For GCSE PE, skiing must take place on snow, either indoors or outdoors. Dry ski slopes cannot be used, and skiing and snowboarding cannot both be used as the assessed activities.
The AQA GCSE skiing criteria include five key areas:
- Basic turning – turning in both directions using parallel or carved turns.
- Stopping – including parallel stops or skidding to a halt, stopping to both the left and right.
- Linked turns over distance – demonstrating linked turns over a run, including narrow and wide turns at different angles.
- Traversing in both directions – demonstrating different speeds and angles.
- Skiing at speed – for example through gates or around poles, or using moguls or tight turns.
The AQA specification also explains that the skills should be demonstrated through increasingly demanding and progressive drills, with speed and gradient becoming more challenging where appropriate.
This is exactly why simply pressing record while somebody skis down a piste isn’t necessarily enough.
The filming session needs to be designed around what the skier actually needs to demonstrate.
Important: AQA requirements can change, and different qualifications or institutions may have different requirements. Before booking, I always recommend sending me the exact instructions you have received so that we can make sure the filming session is planned around the correct criteria.
A Ski Video Is Not the Same as a Holiday Video
This is probably the most important distinction to make.
When I film a student for a university or academic purpose, I am not trying to create a cinematic holiday video.
The objective is different.
A holiday video might focus on spectacular scenery, fast skiing, music and memorable moments.
An assessment video needs to make the performance itself visible.
For example, if the student needs to demonstrate turning technique, I need to make sure that the camera position allows the movement to be seen clearly.
If the student needs to demonstrate stopping in both directions, we need to film both.
If the requirement involves skiing at speed, the skier needs enough space and an appropriate section of piste to demonstrate the skill safely.
If gates or poles are required, they need to be clearly visible in the footage.
This sounds obvious, but it is one of the reasons why having someone who understands skiing involved in the filming process can be useful.
I am not simply holding a camera.
I am watching the skiing.
Why Work With a Ski Instructor?
There are plenty of people who can record a video.
The more important question is:
Does the person filming understand what they are looking at?
When I work with a student, I can combine two different roles.
First, I am a ski instructor.
I can look at the student’s skiing, identify what needs to be improved and help them prepare for the footage.
Second, I can film the performance from the positions that make sense for the specific exercise or requirement.
This combination is particularly useful when the student already skis well but needs to produce specific evidence of their ability.
Sometimes the student doesn’t need hours of traditional ski lessons.
They may simply need to polish a few technical elements, understand exactly what needs to be demonstrated and then record several good takes.
In other cases, more coaching is necessary before filming.
Every student is different.
How I Prepare a University Ski Video
I normally recommend approaching the session in a structured way.
1. Send Me the Requirements First
This is the first and most important step.
Before booking, send me the information you have received from the university, school or examination board.
If you have a PDF, webpage, checklist or document explaining what needs to be filmed, send it to me.
This allows me to understand exactly what the student needs to demonstrate.
For AQA PE skiing, for example, the requirements are specific enough that we can plan the session around the different skills rather than simply filming an entire ski run.
2. We Discuss the Student’s Skiing Level
I also need to understand the skier.
How old are they?
How long have they been skiing?
How confident are they?
Do they normally ski parallel?
Are they comfortable on steeper terrain?
Have they ever skied through gates?
Are there particular techniques they are worried about?
This information helps me decide how the session should be structured.
The goal is not to make the student ski terrain that is unnecessarily difficult.
The goal is to put them in the right environment to demonstrate their ability clearly and safely.
3. We Work on the Required Skills
Before filming, I can use part of the session to prepare the skiing.
For example, we might work on:
- parallel turns
- carved turns
- turn shape
- stopping techniques
- traversing
- changes of speed
- skiing at speed
- narrow and wide turns
- technical consistency
- skiing through gates or around poles
- adapting technique to different gradients
The exact content depends on the student’s requirements.
This is particularly useful because the student can receive immediate feedback.
Rather than filming a run, watching it later and discovering that something wasn’t clear, we can make adjustments while we are actually on the mountain.
4. We Choose the Right Location
Cervinia is particularly useful for this type of session because there is a large variety of terrain available.
Depending on the student’s level and the requirements, we can choose terrain that provides:
- enough space for filming
- appropriate gradient
- good visibility
- suitable snow conditions
- safe stopping areas
- longer runs where necessary
- terrain suitable for different types of exercises
The location is not chosen simply because it looks good on camera.
It needs to work for the skiing requirement.
This is an important distinction.
A beautiful panoramic location is fantastic for a holiday film, but it may not be the best location for demonstrating a specific technical skill.
For an assessment video, I always put the performance first.
5. We Film Multiple Takes
I don’t expect the first run to be perfect.
In fact, I usually prefer to have several attempts.
The first run allows the student to become comfortable with the camera and the exercise.
Then we can make adjustments.
Perhaps the turn shape needs to be more consistent.
Perhaps the skier needs to increase the speed slightly.
Perhaps the camera needs to be positioned differently.
Perhaps we simply need another take because another skier entered the shot.
This is completely normal.
Having several takes means we can select the footage that demonstrates the student’s ability most clearly.
6. The Camera Position Matters
One of the most overlooked parts of a skiing assessment video is camera positioning.
If the camera is too far away, it may be difficult to see the skier’s technique.
If it is too close, there may not be enough context to understand the movement.
If the camera is positioned directly behind the skier, some technical details may be difficult to evaluate.
Sometimes a front or side angle is more useful.
Sometimes the skier needs to pass across the frame.
Sometimes I need to move with the skier.
The correct position depends on the skill being demonstrated.
This is why I don’t simply stand in one place and film every run from the same angle.
What Makes a Good Ski Performance Video?
A good ski performance video should make it easy for the viewer to understand what they are seeing.
The student should be clearly identifiable.
The skiing should be visible.
The terrain should provide enough context.
The camera should remain stable enough to follow the movement.
There should be no unnecessary distractions.
Most importantly, the footage should demonstrate the required skill rather than simply showing the skier completing a run.
For example, if the objective is to demonstrate stopping to both sides, the video needs to show those movements clearly.
If the objective is linked turns, the camera needs to capture enough of the run to demonstrate the sequence.
If the requirement involves skiing at speed through gates or around poles, the course and skier need to remain visible.
It sounds simple.
But good assessment footage is usually the result of planning rather than luck.
Skiing Videos for University Applications: Students and Parents
I know that many of the people who find this page will not actually be the student.
They will be parents.
And that is completely understandable.
If your son or daughter has been asked to provide a skiing video for a university application or assessment, you probably have a long list of questions.
Who should film it?
Where should it be filmed?
Does the person filming understand the requirements?
How good does the student need to be?
How long will it take?
What equipment is needed?
Can it be done during a normal ski holiday?
These are exactly the questions you should be asking before booking.
My advice is always the same:
send me the requirements first.
I would much rather look at the information before the session than discover afterwards that an important part of the requested footage was missing.
Do You Need to Be an Elite Skier?
Not necessarily.
The answer depends entirely on what the video is for.
Some applications may require a high level of performance.
Others may simply require evidence of specific skills.
The important thing is that the student understands exactly what is being requested.
If the student is already an experienced skier, the session may focus mainly on refining technique and producing the required footage.
If the student needs more preparation, we can dedicate more time to coaching before filming.
There is no point in trying to make somebody look like a professional racer if that is not what the application requires.
The goal is to present the student’s actual ability as clearly and effectively as possible.
AQA PE Skiing: What We Can Prepare
If your student is working specifically with the AQA GCSE PE skiing criteria, I can help structure the session around the five areas listed by AQA:
Basic turning
We can work on and film turns in both directions, using parallel or carved technique where appropriate.
Stopping
We can film stopping to both the left and right, making sure the movement is clearly visible.
Linked turns over distance
We can choose an appropriate run where the student can demonstrate linked turns, including changes between narrower and wider turns where required.
Traversing
We can work on traversing in both directions and demonstrate different speeds and angles.
Skiing at speed
Depending on the student’s ability and the specific requirements, this can involve gates, poles, moguls or tighter turns.
The exact way we film each section depends on the student’s level, the terrain available and the instructions provided by the school or examination centre.
The current AQA specification should always be treated as the reference point for the assessment requirements.
What Should You Bring?
For a filming session, the student should arrive prepared to ski normally.
You will generally need:
- skis suitable for the student’s ability
- ski boots
- helmet
- appropriate ski clothing
- gloves
- goggles
- any equipment specifically requested by the assessment
- the original university or examination requirements
If gates, poles or other specific equipment are required, let me know in advance so that we can plan the session appropriately.
And, as always, safety comes first.
The footage is important, but it is never more important than the skier.
When Is the Best Time to Film?
Conditions matter.
Good visibility makes a huge difference to a technical ski video.
If the skier is difficult to see because of fog, flat light or heavy snowfall, the footage may not communicate their technique properly.
For this reason, I prefer to have some flexibility whenever possible.
If you are travelling to Cervinia specifically for a university ski video, tell me your dates in advance.
We can then look at the available time and choose the best opportunity for the filming session.
This is another reason why booking in advance is useful, particularly during busy periods of the winter season.
Can the Ski Video Be Filmed During a Family Ski Holiday?
Absolutely.
In many cases, this is the easiest solution.
If the family is already travelling to Cervinia for a ski holiday, we can arrange a dedicated session for the student without turning the entire trip into an assessment camp.
For example, a student might have a morning lesson and filming session with me, while the rest of the family enjoys the mountain independently.
Alternatively, if parents are also skiing, we can arrange the timing around the family’s plans.
The important thing is to reserve enough time to do the job properly.
I would rather have a relaxed session with enough time for preparation and multiple takes than try to rush everything into a very short lesson.
More Than Just Pressing Record
This is probably the best way to describe what I offer.
I am not simply providing a camera.
I can help the student understand what they need to demonstrate, prepare the skiing, choose appropriate terrain and then record the performance from useful angles.
That is particularly valuable when the footage is being used for something important.
A student may already be a very good skier but have no idea how to demonstrate that ability effectively on video.
Another student may know exactly what they need to do but need some coaching to improve a particular element before filming.
Both situations are very common.
My Advice to Parents
If you are searching online for someone to create a ski video for your child’s university application, I recommend asking three questions before booking anyone:
1. Does the person understand skiing?
Not just how to hold a camera, but how to recognise the skills being demonstrated.
2. Will they read the requirements?
The filming should be based on the actual criteria, not on a generic idea of what a “good ski video” looks like.
3. Can they combine coaching and filming?
This can make the process considerably easier because the student can receive feedback and immediately repeat the exercise.
These are exactly the reasons why I have increasingly been asked to help students with this type of project.
Send Me the Requirements Before You Book
If you have found this page because you are looking for a ski instructor for a university application, the easiest thing to do is send me the information you have.
It could be:
- a university webpage
- an email from the admissions team
- an AQA document
- a school instruction sheet
- a list of required skiing skills
- a PDF
- a video specification
- or simply an explanation of what you have been asked to provide.
I can then look at the requirements and we can discuss what would be needed for the session.
This is especially important for AQA PE skiing because the exact assessment criteria should be followed rather than relying on assumptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you film a skiing video for a university application?
Yes. I regularly work with students who need skiing footage for educational, university or assessment purposes. The session can combine ski coaching with filming, depending on what the student needs.
Can you help with AQA PE Skiing Requirements?
Yes. If you are preparing an AQA PE skiing assessment, send me the exact requirements before booking. We can then structure the session around the relevant skiing skills and make sure the footage is planned accordingly.
Do you work with parents as well as students?
Absolutely. In many cases, parents are the ones arranging the session. You can contact me directly, explain what your son or daughter needs and send me the relevant requirements.
Where are the videos filmed?
I am based in Cervinia, in the Aosta Valley, and this is where I normally organise these sessions. The exact location on the mountain depends on the student’s level, the required skills and snow and weather conditions.
How long does a ski video session take?
There is no single answer. Some students need mainly filming, while others benefit from coaching before the filming starts. I normally recommend allowing enough time for preparation, several takes and any necessary adjustments.
Does the student need to be an advanced skier?
That depends on the requirements. The required standard varies between applications and assessments. Send me the criteria first and I can help you understand what needs to be demonstrated.
Can you film different skiing exercises separately?
Yes. If the assessment requires different skills, we can film them as separate sections rather than trying to record everything in one continuous run.
Can you help improve the skiing before filming?
Yes. As a ski instructor, I can use part of the session to work on the specific technical elements that need to be demonstrated before we record the final footage.
Can I send you the university or AQA requirements before booking?
Yes — and I strongly recommend doing so. It allows me to understand exactly what is required and plan the session appropriately.
Do you provide video editing as well?
If you need a specific editing format, selection of clips or other video requirements, tell me what the university or school has requested before booking. We can then discuss what is needed for your particular project.
Professional Ski Videos for University Applications in Cervinia
A skiing video submitted as part of an academic or university application is different from an ordinary holiday video.
It needs to have a purpose.
The skier needs to be visible.
The relevant skills need to be demonstrated.
The filming needs to be planned.
And, above all, the person behind the camera needs to understand skiing.
This is exactly why I enjoy working on these projects.
I can combine my experience as a private ski instructor with the practical side of filming, helping students prepare their skiing and create footage that clearly demonstrates what they can do on snow.
If you are a student preparing a university application, or a parent searching for someone who can help your son or daughter with a skiing university application video, get in touch before booking.
Send me the requirements, tell me what the video is for, and we can work out the best way to approach the session in Cervinia.
If you’re planning your ski trip and need help preparing a university skiing video, an AQA PE skiing assessment or another type of ski performance footage, don’t hesitate to reach out, you can email me anytime at info@skiwithriky.com. Send me the requirements before booking and I’ll be happy to discuss the best way to organise the session.
See you on the slopes,
Riky