The Victorian alpine environment is a beautiful destination for winter or summer holidays and a venue for many challenging and exciting activities including skiing and bushwalking. The Victorian Alps, however can be hazardous if visitors are careless and irresponsible.

• Snow Safe Tips

Planning and preparation are the keys to having a safe and enjoyable alpine experience.

The following information is essential and relevant to all visitors to alpine areas, regardless of the length of the visit or the type of alpine activity.

Snow Safe Tips

Planning

When planning your trip to the alps select a resort or area which caters for you and your groups needs as facilities, experiences and opportunities vary widely between resorts and various parts of the Alpine National Park. When planning it is important to prepare your vehicle for a trip to the snow, organise your clothes and equipment, improve your fitness, organise lessons, take special care with children and arrange to leave details of your trip. Plan you alpine holiday carefully and you'll have a great time.

Driving on alpine roads

Like skiing, driving in snow and ice conditions is an acquired skill. Extreme care is required when driving on alpine roads in winter.

Clothing

Most of us like to picture ourselves enjoying the alps in sunshine, and we do have our share of sunny days in Australia. However, alpine weather is unpredictable and a fine sunny day can quickly deteriorate into cold, wet, high wind or blizzard conditions. Your clothing, therefore, must be versatile and you should have ready access to protective clothing.

Skin and eye protection

Sunburn can be a serious problem, even on cloudy days. In addition to protective clothing, always use a good sunscreen with a high SPF to protect skin exposed to direct or reflected sunlight. To protect your eyes from the glare off the snow (which can lead to "snow blindness") the use of high quality sunglasses or goggles is essential, and wear a wide brimmed hat to protect you face on sunny days.

Helmets

Helmets are a serious option for children but a growing number of adults are using them for downhill skiing and snowboarding. Give it some thought.

Food

Food provides energy for movement and for maintaining your body temperature. The risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar level) can be reduced by having good meals, maintaining fluid intake and stopping when tired. Popular high energy foods include: nuts, chocolate bars, hot drinks and soups, cheese, raisins and sultanas.

Trip intentions

Let someone know before you go. Check in when you return. Trip Intention forms are widely available from resort administration offices and police stations.

Pre-season fitness

Start your training well before the ski season or your trip Training sessions must be regular and frequent - at least 3 times per week Always warm up before an exercise session Children, as well as adults, wil benefit from a pre-season fitness program.

Children

More children are getting into snow sports. Their need for learning and equipment, however, are different to those of adults. Skis, boards, boots and bindings can be bought new or second hand but should be specifically made for children, not adapted for them, and equipment should be properly fitted by a reputable ski shop - remember that children only need light ski binding settings. Warm, protective clothing and head gear(ie a helmet) should always be worn by children.

Tobogganing

Tobogganing is one way of enjoying the great snow resort areas within Victoria. Tobogganing can be dangerous and great care should be taken. At resorts, toboggan in designated areas only .
Away from resorts, find a gentle slope free from rocks and trees, with a safe run out at the bottom.

Snowsports School

Statistics prove that the more experienced skiers/boarders have less accidents and the best way to gain that experience is to take lessons. In any professional ski and boardriding school instruction, training and coaching always progresses from the level the student has already attained.

Equipment

Always check your equipment before using it. Prior to the ski season have your equipment serviced and checked.

Environment care

The Alpine environment is fragile. Please treat it with care and respect so that others may enjoy it after you.

Equipment security

Common sense and care will reduce the risk of loss or theft. Know where to locate your skis/board at all times. Operation Identification is a program aimed at theft prevention and involves marking your equipment for easy identification (we suggest your driver's licence number, with state prefix).

For information regarding recommended ski insurance and security contact:
Ski Victoria
Phone (03) 9614 2644

For more detailed and comprehensive information on all aspects of snow safety go to www.snowsafe.org.au