Mountain Safety
Your safety is Thredbo’s number one priority. It is our goal for each day here at Thredbo to be a positive and safe experience for everyone on the mountain. When you’re on the mountain, keep an eye out for our Ski Patrol in winter and Bike Patrol in summer who are on hand to attend to any incidents. 02 6459 4147
Skiing & Snowboarding
ALPINE RESPONSIBILITY CODE:
WINTER SPORTS INVOLVE RISKS OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. YOUR KNOWLEDGE, DECISIONS AND ACTIONS CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS.
Know Your Ability
- Stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
- You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
- Do not ski, board, ride lifts or use terrain, if your ability is impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Know Your Role
- Use protective equipment (especially helmets) to minimise the risk of injury. Prevent runaway equipment.
- Read and obey all signs, warnings and hazard markings.
- Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
- If you are involved in a collision or incident, do not leave the scene. Share your contact information with each other and Resort Staff.
Know Your Zone
- People ahead and downhill of you have right of way. You must avoid them.
- Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
- Before starting downhill, or merging into a trail, look uphill and give way to others.
Know the code. It’s your responsibility.
To maximise safety for staff, customers, property and equipment, we prohibit the unauthorised operation or use of any remotely piloted aircraft or any form of aerial drones (whether by recreational or commercial users) within the Resort area without our approval.
ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY
To keep everyone safe, there is a strict new zero-tolerance policy for skiers and snowboarders who ignore signs or duck ropes. On your first warning, your pass will be paused for 7 days and on your second warning, your pass will be cancelled for the remainder of the season. This applies to season pass holders and day pass holders.
Backcountry
BACKCOUNTRY RESPONSIBILITY CODE
Backcountry touring requires a high level of fitness, advanced skiing/riding skills, comprehensive trip planning and avalanche awareness to safely negotiate the inherent risks. Alpine weather can become severe rapidly – hypothermia is the main cause of incidents and rescues in the Australian Alpine. Wind gusts of 150km/h and heavy snowfall during blizzards is not uncommon and it can be an extended period before help can reach backcountry locations.
- Have the skills and the fitness. Know your skiing/riding ability and stay in control at all times. Be confident and comfortable with navigation, route finding and avalanche safety.
- Check the weather and Alpine Hazard Report. Examine reputable weather forecasts and understand that alpine weather can change rapidly and be severe. If there are predicted or observed extreme weather conditions, reconsider and re-evaluate your trip.
- Have the right gear. Ensure your clothing is appropriate to the conditions. Carry the 10 Essentials of Navigation, Sun Protection, Insulation, Illumination, First Aid, Fire, Repair Kit, Extra Food, Hydration and an Emergency Shelter. Bring appropriate protective equipment e.g. helmet, crampons, ice axe, beacon, shovel and probe.
- Do the research & never go alone. All group members need a clear idea of the route, distance, time, terrain, hazards and current conditions. Plans must be flexible and continually re-assessed with open group communication. Be prepared to turn back due to weather changes, fatigue, hazards and running out of time.
- Bring the avalanche rescue basics. Bring a beacon, shovel and probe and know how to use them by doing an Avalanche Skills Training course.
- Know your emergency plan. Have emergency communication equipment like a satellite phone and Personal Locator Beacon (available to hire from NPWS), know local emergency numbers, and download the Emergency Plus app. Complete a NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services Trip Intention Form and leave your trip plan with family/friends.
- Leave no trace. Take rubbish and human waste home with you. No open or wood fires permitted in alpine areas outside hut fireplaces. Avoid wet, boggy areas and exposed flora on ridgelines.
- Dial it back and space it out. Ski/ride to avoid falls and give other backcountry users space. Don’t snake another group’s line or drop in above. Stick to established skin tracks, snow shoe and boot packing lines should move to the side of the track.
- Respect any park closures and camping restrictions. Check camping restrictions for alpine areas i.e. lake catchments, resort drinking water catchments, within 30m of rivers and streams, and within 200m of lifts, walkways and structures.
Mountain Biking
MOUNTAIN BIKE RESPONSIBILITY CODE
Regardless of how you enjoy your mountain bike sport always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are inherent risks in all mountain bike recreational activities. Common sense, protective equipment and personal awareness can reduce risk. These risks may include, but are not limited to weather, visibility, surfaces as well as natural and artificial hazards such as rocks, trees, stumps, vehicles, lift towers, fences and other Thredbo Resort equipment.
MINIMUM BIKE REQUIREMENTS
- 2 working brakes (disc brakes highly recommended)
- Front Suspension and/or rigid bike with fat tyres required (dual suspension highly recommended)
- Tyre width must be between 1.9 to 3 inches in width to be accommodated by chairlift bike carriers
- Remove mudguards longer than 25cm
- Bikes may only be ridden by one person.
- No children are permitted on bikes with an adult; tandem bikes and bikes with trailers are not permitted.
OBSERVE THE CODE AND SHARE WITH OTHERS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A GREAT EXPERIENCE
- Take lessons to learn and progress.
- Helmets are mandatory. Full-face helmets are highly recommended on all trails.
- Before using lifts, have the ability to load, ride and unload yourself and your bike safely. Always use restraining devices (Safety Bar).
- Do not ride lifts or undertake any form of mountain biking if your ability is impaired by drugs or alcohol.
- Know your ability. Always stay in control on the ground and in the air. Avoid other people and objects around you.
- Obey all signage. Stay on marked trails. Do not cut switchbacks. Keep off closed areas.
- Observe all Walking Zones. Dismount your bike and walk.
- When entering a trail or starting downhill, look uphill and give way to other riders.
- Do not stop where you obstruct the trail or are not visible from above.
- Assist others if you are involved in or witness a collision or accident. Identify yourself to Bike Patrol or staff member.
- Uphill biking is not permitted on Downhill trails or mountain roads at any time due to risk of collisions with machinery or vehicles.
- When approaching a trail or feature: PreRide, ReRide and FreeRide to ensure the trail or feature is within your ability.
- PreRide – Ride slowly and inspect the trail.
- ReRide – Get comfortable and consistent on the trail.
- FreeRide – Progress with confidence and control.
Hiking
HIKING RESPONSIBILITY CODE
For your safety it is critical to understand weather and conditions may change rapidly and to be prepared for these possibilities to reduce the risk of exposure and rescues. Assess and know if your hike is within our Thredbo leasehold area or outside, understand it may be a prolonged period of time before help can reach remote locations. To preserve and conserve the longevity of the hiking terrain for others it is each individual’s responsibility to follow the Leave No Trace principles.
OBSERVE THE CODE AND SHARE WITH OTHERS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A GREAT EXPERIENCE
- If observed extreme weather conditions in forecast reconsider and revaluate hiking. Utilise common sense if extreme high, low temperatures, wind, snow, hail and thunderstorms will impact the hike.
- Take sufficient water, sun and weather protection into the alpine environment as no water refill stations are available, shaded areas are minimal and shelters are remote.
- Be prepared to turn back; weather changes, fatigue, unexpected conditions and running out of time, you can always come back another day.
- Protect water sources; avoid damaging or altering precious and limited alpine streams and lakes through human activities. This includes swimming.
- Do not stop where you obstruct MTB tracks or vehicle access roads or are not visible from above.
- Observe and obey all signs and warnings.
- Avoid walking alone and let someone know your plans. Trip Intention Forms can be submitted through the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services website.
- Leave No Trace:
- Plan ahead and prepare.
- Travel on durable surfaces – remain on designated walking tracks or travel on surfaces which can tolerate trampling. Much of the alpine ecosystem is fragile and cannot recover from trampling.
- Dispose of all waste properly – no bins are located on hiking trails; all waste is to be disposed in appropriate locations across Thredbo village.
- Leave what you find – do not pick or remove anything natural.
- Minimise campfire impacts, understand and be aware of fire restrictions/bans.
- Respect wildlife – appreciate wildlife through quiet and observation from afar.
- Be considerate of hosts and other visitors – remain on left hand side of hiking trails to allow for 2-way traffic and others to pass. Do not play music aloud when hiking.
To maximise safety for staff, customers, property and equipment, we prohibit the unauthorised operation or use of any remotely piloted aircraft or any form of aerial drones (whether by recreational or commercial users) within the Resort area without our approval.
Whether you ski, snowboard, hike, mountain bike or are visiting for the first time, our app is your companion to Australia’s Premier Adventure Destination.
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Thredbo sits on the traditional land of the Monero – Ngarigo people who have looked after this land, water and community for over 60,000 years. We thank them for all they have done and continue to do to look after their country, a special place which we all love and respect.
