Parks Victoria has urged visitors to the Alpine and Mount Buffalo National Parks to be prepared and stay safe during the winter season.
Parks Victoria said it was important for people to understand the risks associated with the Alpine environment in winter, whether they were playing in the snow, camping, hiking, driving or backcountry skiing.
“Dramatic weather changes are common and should not be underestimated when planning a winter trip,” Parks Victoria said.
“Visitors must be well prepared for sudden changes in conditions and remain alert to hazards including unstable snow, steep icy slopes, avalanches and extreme weather,” it said.
“Visitors to the Alpine National Park, especially those visiting the higher elevation areas of Mount Bogong and Mount Feathertop, are likely to encounter a range of hazards each winter including unstable and deep snow, steep icy slopes, cornice formation, avalanches and extreme weather.”
Parks Victoria said visitors needed to be prepared and experienced in order to manage the hazards.
It recommended some basic preparations to help people stay safe, including checking park conditions; preparing for the weather; obeying signage; carrying snow chains; checking road conditions and closures; staying in touch with family or friends; packing the right gear; checking backcountry conditions; using huts in the alpine area for emergency shelter or refuge only; and calling Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.
The Agency said it would enforce visitor capacity limits at Mount Buffalo National Park to prevent overcrowding and ensure visitor safety.
