Intro to Alpine | Stage 2

Alpine Ready: Planning, Safety and Caring for the Snow

This activity helps Cub Scouts and Scouts build the skills they need to safely enjoy alpine environments. Youth will learn how to plan a snow activity, care for fragile alpine environments, choose the right clothing and equipment, and respond to common alpine accidents. These skills are then applied during a supervised day trip to the snow.

This program works best across one Hall night and one alpine outing.

What you will need

Hall night

• Cardboard and string

• Chairs, tables or cones for obstacles

• A3 printed map of the alpine area

• Coloured pens or markers

• Printed equipment diagrams

• Newspaper, tape and small wet sponges

• Youth alpine clothing for gear checks

Outing

• Toboggans or snow activity equipment

• First aid kit and emergency shelter

• Spare warm layers

• Maps and communication devices

Activity

1. Leave No Trace in Alpine Areas

• Introduce the idea that alpine environments are fragile

• Teach the seven principles of Leave No Trace using simple actions

• In Patrols, discuss how each principle applies in the snow, including:

  • Staying on marked tracks

  • Avoiding exposed vegetation

  • Packing out all rubbish

  • Respecting wildlife and other visitors

• Discuss why alpine plants are slow growing and easily damaged

2. Optional Snowshoe Challenge

• Explain why walking on snow can damage plants underneath

• Patrols make mock snowshoes from cardboard and string

• Set up an obstacle course representing rocks, plants and holes

• Patrols move across the course while avoiding obstacles

• Discuss how snowshoes help protect both people and plants

3. Patrol Planning an Alpine Walk

• Using an A3 map, Patrols plan a short snow walk (1–3 km)

• Mark:

  • Start and finish points

  • Rest or snack stops

  • Emergency services locations

  • Safe areas and no-go zones

• Discuss safety precautions, including:

  • Weather checks

  • Clothing and spare layers

  • Buddy system

  • Who is told about the trip

• Create a simple accident action plan using DRSABCD

4. Label Alpine Equipment

• Youth label diagrams showing equipment needed for different alpine activities

• Compare what equipment is the same and what is different for:

  • Snow play

  • Tobogganing

  • Snow hiking

• Work top-down when thinking about clothing:

  • Head, eyes, face, neck, torso, hands, legs, feet, pack

5. Gear Check and Snowball Challenge

• Conduct a pre-trip gear check using the provided gear list

• Talk about how to dry wet clothing after snow activities

• Run a mock snowball fight using newspaper balls and wet sponges

• Youth wear jackets, gloves and boots to test their “alpine armour”

• After the game, practise hanging and drying wet gear properly

6. Alpine Outing: Day Trip to the Snow

Before activities

• Review key safety messages from the Hall night

• Check clothing, layers and spare gear

• Revisit Patrol maps and boundaries

On the snow

• Complete a 1 km or longer snow walk

• Take part in at least two snow activities such as:

  • Tobogganing

  • Snow play

  • Building a large snow Scout

• Practise staying within safe areas and using the buddy system

Safety focus

• • Stop and act early if anyone is cold, wet or unwell

  • Seek shelter from wind

  • Change wet clothing

  • Use emergency services or ski patrol when required

Change the challenge level

• Make it easier by planning shorter walks and simpler activities

• Increase challenge by adding navigation decisions or longer distances

• Ask older Scouts to mentor younger youth

• Introduce backup plans (Plan B or C) for changing weather

Reflection