The following is a list of factors that could be considered when developing your plan, this is only a
short guide and there will be many other issues
that you may need to consider:-
Adventuring in snow conditions requires additional care in particular if you are travelling out “off
Resort” but even in the resorts one needs to take
care and there is safety information available at
the various snow resort entries and information
> What the group and individuals want to achieve centre’s. Carriage and fitting of snow chains may
or experience. Make sure that this is similar for all. be required (NSW and Victoria have different
> The expected duration and extent of the activity laws in this regards so check before you travel)
or adventure
> Age, experience, fitness, skill level of participants Two useful location definitions for use when plan> Any medical issues that need to be considered ning a snow trip are:> The group size
Well supported areas-This includes areas where
> The level of difficulty of the adventure or activity there may be resort, lift company leased areas,
> The ease of access and egress for the group
groomed trails and patrols, there is reliable com> The skill and leadership levels of any leaders
munication and emergency services can readily
> The ease of communications
reach the site within one hour.
> Expected weather and effects on the adventure
Back country areas- This includes areas where
professional medical care is more than one hour
Group size is a major consideration as a large away, communication is unreliable and there is
group often has a wider range of experience no patrols or support. Leaders should understand
levels, fitness and expectations. This can make it that it is possible to inadvertently move out of well
harder for the group to achieve objectives.
supported areas and on to public land where no
support exists.
Severe weather is an increasing cause of accidents and incidents in the outdoors, in particular Adventure Activity Standards – Most states and
with water based activities or in the snow. The territories have adventure activity standards that
Bureau of Meteorology and the many weather have been designed to assist with provision of
foreca sting “apps” available for our smart phone safe dependent group adventures and these
make obtaining weather warnings and informa- can be found by a quick internet search. For extion extremely accessible.
ample the Victorian standards are at http://outdoorsvictoria.org.au/aas-list-of-standards/. There
Severe weather that might affect safe outdoor ac- is now a move to develop national outdoor safetivities in winter can include storms, flooding, snow ty standards and information on this project can
storms, extreme cold, high winds or a combination be found at http://australianaas.org.au/. While
of a number of these. Including weather consider- designed and intended for lead dependent
ations in our activity planning can be critical.
groups, these standards have useful information
for all adventures and so are a good and easy to
Weather considerations and warnings can in- access resource.
clude:Physical environment - Know the landscape of Winter adventures (and all outdoor activities)
your activity area and how it relates to weather should be fun and with some planning and care
events.
can be safe as well. Start with easy locations and
Severe Weather Warning - These warnings are pro- challenges, and then extend the levels of difficulvided when severe weather is expected that is not ty as you gain experience. Have a great time in
directly related to severe thunderstorms, tropical the great outdoors!
cyclones or bushfires.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning - These warnings
are provided by the BOM when thunderstorms are
expected to produce dangerous or damaging
conditions.
Blizzards - The Bureau of Meteorology defines a
blizzard as a violent and very cold wind that is
laden with snow, some part, at least, of which has
been raised from snow covered ground.
For all sorts of weather information and warnings
for both the land and sea go to http://www.bom.gov.au/