Alpine

Alpine is all about going places on snow.

Strap on your skis / board or snow shoes to discover the beauty of picturesque alpine scenes. Enjoy the elation of discovering each new frozen landscape, invigorated by the biting cold air around you.

Your group will ski, sled or snowshoe through clean, undisturbed snow, confident in your training, Leaders and equipment.

The Victorian Alpine Team

The Alpine Team is a pool of experienced Alpine / Ski-Touring Activity Leaders distributed across Victoria. We can help your Group out with skiing / snow related information, planning and technical leadership. We can give you suggestions on places to explore, snow-camp and we can help you learn about safe travel on snow and ice.

We also assess leaders of all Scouting sections to confirm their skills to lead alpine / ski trips.

Range of Skill Requirements

If your group is inside an alpine resort boundary, involved in snow play, tobogganing or downhill skiing, then a qualified Ski Tour Leader is not required. There’d be a recommended Leader-to-participant ratio of one to five.

If your group heads beyond snow play areas and away from resort buildings, the Leader must hold at least a current Trained Participant Ski Touring qualification. Formal risk assessment is also needed.

Please contact the State Leader - Ski Touring Team to clarify the qualifications needed for a planned Ski Tour Activity, provide some input and help out with extra Leaders to provide technical support on the trip if need be.

Ski Tours for Scouting Awards

Venturers who wish to conduct a ski tour, snowshoe hike or snow walk as their Kings Scout Award Scheme Adventurous Activities Expedition need only have the Participant Qualification but must have a suitably experienced Adult Examiner. The adult examiner must be qualified to the Activity Leader Level appropriate to the location and duration of the expedition proposed.

Ski touring qualified Leaders are able to act as examiners to Venturers /rovers wishing to undertake snow-based activities for Peak award

Cautions

Victoria has several stunning alpine areas that can also be treacherous. The State Alpine Team does not recommend The Crosscut Saw, Mt Feathertop, the Razorback or Mt Bogong areas for ski tours, unless the party has one or more Guide qualified Ski tour Leaders and a very strong Leader-to Scout ratio. See our page Scope of Leadership matrix for guidance on Who can Lead what snow-trip Where.