Cross country skiing

The alpine environment is generally understood to comprise the landscapes found above 1200m and covered by winter snow, although snow can fall at any time of the year and severe snowstorm conditions can deposit snow down to 800m or lower. These landscapes include the forested sub-alpine zone up to the tree line and then the true alpine zone above.

Snow and weather conditions can change with location and over time. These changes may be rapid and drastic, with differences experienced in and out of tree cover, on different slope aspects, and at different times of the day. Environmental conditions can be extreme, variable and unpredictable.

Vegetation loss or damage, which is influenced by our behaviours and the activities we conduct in alpine areas, can be rapid and may persist for many seasons. Soil exposure because of human intervention can be permanent in some situations and should be avoided.

When preparing for cross-country skiing, consider ways to minimise the environment impact of the activity.

Due to the unique nature of each location, a specific assessment of suitability should be made prior to the trip.

Your choice of location should be based upon the recent and first hand knowledge of at least one member of the planning and supervising staff. Where this is impractical, planning and supervising staff should be thoroughly familiar with the general characteristics and conditions found in similar locations, and have consulted with people who can supply recent and first-hand knowledge of the locations being considered.

When assessing the suitability of a location, consider:

• the potential to support your educational objectives
• the level of access to the resources, services and facilities that you need or would like to use. These might include campsites, water, walking trails, toilets, shelter from extreme weather, or interpretive information
• the level of access to communications and external assistance, in the event of an emergency, or extreme weather conditions. The more effectively remote your location is, then the more self-contained and self–reliant your group must be
• the potential exposure to environmental hazards and difficulties
• the skiing ability and fitness of students.

Contact with relevant authorities should be made, in order to access up-to-date management information, and to determine any access and permit requirements.

These authorities may include:

• Resort Authorities
• Emergency services
• Parks Victoria (or other land managers)
• Department of Environment and Primary Industries

Groups need to be aware that extreme weather conditions may develop prior to or during the proposed trip. Staff should be prepared to cancel, modify or relocate the activity at any time.

It is important to distinguish between resort and non-resort locations (see: Definitions) because the level of services will vary.

Your communication strategy should enable you to receive weather forecasts and warnings, communicate with the school, and engage support in the case of an incident or emergency.

• Choose communication equipment based on current communication technology.
• Develop a communication strategy for the group during the program and to enable communication with outside parties including the school and emergency services.
• Be aware of the limitations of your communication strategy.

Check the weather forecast for the location in the days leading up to the program and on the day the program commences. If the program extends overnight, monitor and assess the weather throughout and based on that information access daily weather forecasts and warnings.

Weather conditions can change rapidly. Monitor and assess the weather throughout the activity and be prepared to cancel, modify or relocate at any time.

Weather warning telephone services:

• Coastal, Land Weather and Flood Warnings: 1300 659 217
• Full State Telephone Weather Service: 1900 955 363 (call charge applies)
• Mountain Information Line: 1902 240 523

These telephone numbers may be useful to have available on your program.

Web links:

• Bureau of Meteorology
• Telephone weather services directory: Victoria
• Victorian Snow Report

The transportation of groups to and from activity locations must be carefully considered.

Vehicles used to transport students must comply with VicRoads registration requirements.

• Drivers must comply with all licensing requirements.
• Equipment carried inside vehicles must be securely stowed.
• Students must be supervised by a minimum of one adult, in addition to the bus driver, during travel.

Drivers of vehicles with up to and including 12 seats (including the driver) require a current drivers license.

Drivers of vehicles with 13 or more seats (including the driver) require a current license appropriate for the vehicle and must:

undertake a daily vehicle safety check

• hold a current driver’s certificate, see: Application for Accreditation to Drive a Private Bus at
  Taxi Services Commission - Bus Drivers
• complete the driver log book see: National driving hours regulations​ (only if travelling more than 100 km from the vehicle’s designated base)
• comply with the National driving hours regulations

In circumstances where a teacher or staff member is to drive a vehicle transporting students, the program should allow for them to have adequate rest prior to driving consistent with the national driving hours regulations.

Hazardous areas

Buses with a capacity greater than 12 seats entering prescribed hazardous areas during the declared snow season must have an annual hazardous areas inspection and a current certificate. The driver must also hold a current Hazardous Areas Authority​. The driver must also carry the required equipment for hazardous areas. Information about Victorian Hazardous Areas requirements can be obtained from VicRoads, including information specific to bus travel in snow fields.

To reduce the chance of injury, beginners should receive competent instruction in basic skills taking into account factors such as snow conditions, the weather, the terrain and the progress of students.

First time skiers and beginners must undertake ski lessons to receive competent instruction in basic skills, taking into account such factors as snow conditions, weather, terrain and the progress of students.

The instructor should ascertain the previous experience of each student. Instructional staff must brief students on:

• equipment, clothing and footwear that is suitable for the activity and location
• safety measures appropriate to control risks associated with the activity and the environment
• minimal environmental impact techniques relevant to the activity and location
• historical and cultural considerations relevant to the activity and location
• activity scope and boundaries
• communication and communication signals
• relevant terminology
• an outline of the activity plan and objectives
• a summary of the emergency strategy, including methods of emergency communication
• management of the group on the trails
• expected weather conditions and what this means for the activity
• The Alpine Responsibility Code
• the importance of always skiing in control and within ability.

Students must be instructed in the safe use of all ski equipment and taken through a recognised progression of skills to be able to stop, turn and fall safely and ski in a controlled manner. These skills include side stepping and basic snow plough. For novice groups, groomed trails of beginner standard are appropriate for introductory sessions.

Prior to undertaking overnight cross country (xc) ski trips where carrying heavy packs is required, participants must have previously undertaken cross country skiing lessons and demonstrated skiing skills sufficient to competently ski with packs the terrain to be encountered.

Preparation should also include supporting the mental health and well-being of students. This is as important as physical preparation.

For more information, see: Excursion Support Student Preparation Section.

Equipment, whether hired, borrowed or owned by the school or students, must be in a safe condition and suitable for the activity.

Boots and bindings

Boots and bindings must fit comfortably, be firm fitting and firmly laced, and be matched to the cross-country skiing being undertaken and the skis being used.

Eye protection

All students must wear sunglasses or goggles to protect their eyes from glare off the snow, which even on cloudy days can lead to snow blindness. Sunglasses complying with Australian Standard (AS/NZS 1067) for sunglasses will provide the best UV protection. They prevent at least 95% of UV radiation from reaching the eyes.

Hand protection

Gloves or mitts to prevent sunburn, frostnip and abrasions while skiing must be worn.

Helmets

Helmets are not generally used in cross-country skiing. They should be worn by students and staff if high speeds or collision with solid objects or people are likely.

To determine whether helmets should be worn, consider:

• the skills and experience of participants in relation to the terrain participants are likely to encounter
• artificial hazards in the activity environment (e.g. poles, barriers)
• natural hazards in the activity environment (e.g. icy snow conditions, trees, water courses)
• other users of the slope.

Where helmets are used they must be designed and approved to BS EN 1077 (‘Specification for helmets for alpine skiers’) standards. For more information on helmets for skiing see the SNELL Memorial Foundation.

Skis and poles

Cross-country skis and poles must be matched to the cross-country skiing being undertaken and also to the skills and experience of the student group, for example an overnight tour versus a day trip on groomed trails.

First aid kits

First aid kits appropriate to the location and level of training must be carried.

Clothing

Clothing is the individual’s primary protection against extreme and variable weather conditions. Clothing lists need to be appropriate for the activity, the environment and the season.

To protect against sunburn use broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30+ sunscreen on all exposed parts of the body, applied according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Further information can be found at SunSmart.

Sun Protection is required when the UV Index is above 3. For further information see Sun and UV Protection.

For cold conditions encountered in snow activities, students and staff should have a change of clothing available. Clothing for snow activities should allow participants to remain warm even when wet and should be worn in layers with inner, insulating layers and outer windproof and waterproof layers.

Identification

Staff and students must be easily identifiable. Staff must determine the most suitable system/s of identification, based on the assessment of the environment, students’ skills, the type of activities to be undertaken and the age and number of students.

Touring

All touring parties must carry with them appropriate safety and rescue equipment including:

• four season tents which provide shelter for all members of the group
• stoves and fuel for which students have had safety instruction in using
• emergency food that does not require lengthy preparation, for each participant
• sleeping bags packed to ensure they remain dry
• insulating sleeping mats
• comprehensive ski, boot and pole repair kit
• snow shovels.

If touring parties are travelling in possible avalanche terrain*, participants must be briefed on the dangers and methods of travel in it. Participants should all carry avalanche beacons, probes and shovels and be trained in their use prior to entering possible avalanche terrain.

For information regarding Australian snow and avalanche conditions, refer to Mountain Sports Collective.

Staff members are those adults who provide the supervisory, instructional and educational elements of the program. All staff members must be approved by the principal.

All staff members must comply with current Departmental police check requirements or the Working with Children Check. 

A teacher registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and either employed by the Department or the school council must be present and have overall responsibility for the activity.

Where not directly responsible for the instruction of the activity or assisting the instructor, the teacher present must understand the activity and the environment in which it will be conducted. This teacher must confer with the designated instructor about the supervisory role and establish areas of responsibility. If the teacher is not the designated instructor he/she is to act on the advice of the designated instructor on technical safety issues.

Any staff member with a known medical condition that might compromise the group’s risk management plan should make accompanying staff aware of this condition. Issues of confidentiality and privacy will be involved in any such disclosure.

Staff involved in the planning and conduct of the activity should have sufficient knowledge and experience of the activity and the activity environment to operate in all foreseeable conditions.

The designated cross-country skiing instructor/s must hold one of the following:

In some Victorian cross country resorts, official Ski and Learn to Ski lessons can only be provided by resort ski school staff. School staff should confirm this with the ski resort management prior to the excursion.

• an Australian Professional Snowsport Instructors Level 1 Nordic Ski qualification
• a ski guide certification, for overnight touring trips and/or more complex mountain terrain
• equivalent documented training and experience from another training provider or education institution
• equivalent documented experience in lieu of certification/accreditation.

Equivalent training and/or experience may include staff having:

• sound cross-country ski skills and techniques
• relevant knowledge of ski instruction for teaching beginner and intermediate skiers.
• knowledge of ski touring and travelling techniques in various snow conditions and terrain
• knowledge of snow camping techniques for touring
• safety, rescue, risk and emergency management practices suitable for alpine environments

The designated assistant to the instructor must:

have experience in the activity at the level being offered to students

• be able to assume a supervisory role during the activity
• have the ability to participate competently in emergency response procedures
• have conferred with the instructor to establish the emergency response and supervision responsibilities.

A Proforma of Staff Qualifications/Experience ​ (doc - 151kb) can be used to document staff qualifications/experience in lieu of qualifications.

Where an external contractor is chosen to run all or part of this activity, see: Roles and responsibilities, External Providers.

Supervision is the critical factor in managing risk in the outdoors.

A minimum of two staff members must be present for each activity, one with responsibility for activity instruction and the other able to assist the instructor.

The following table shows the minimum staff-to-student ratio that must be applied for cross country skiing.

(Note: Students not directly involved in cross country skiing, must be supervised separately with a minimum staff student ratio of 1 to 10.)

It may be necessary to increase the number of staff allocated based on:

• age, maturity and gender of students
• ability and experience of students
• individual needs
• dynamics of the student group
• experience, qualifications and skills of staff
• location conditions.

Reasons for increasing staff allocations must be documented.

The teacher in charge is responsible for the supervision strategy, which must be endorsed by the principal as part of the excursion approval process. Staff members will supervise students according to that strategy.

The school must receive informed consent from parents or guardians that their child may participate in adventure activities.

Informed consent should be based on an understanding of:

• the educational purpose of the activity
• the nature and details of the activity
• the supervision strategy
• other information deemed relevant by the school or by parents/guardians.

Informed consent must be given in writing, including signatures, by parents or guardians.

At least one member of staff responsible for each group of students must hold, as a minimum, a current (within 3 years) level two first aid qualification, a current (within 12 months) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) qualification and have a first aid kit applicable to the level of training.

Staff members must consider carefully the nature and location of the excursion as well as the medical history of the students to determine the level of first aid training required by staff.  For example, if any student in the group has a history of anaphylaxis and may require the use of an epi-pen, appropriately trained staff must be present.  See: Excursion Support – First Aid.

• Principal Approval Template (docx - 71.31kb)
• Documentation of staff qualifications and experience (doc - 151kb)

• Alpine Responsibility Code
• Australian Professional Snowsport Instructors
• Australian Ski Areas Association
• Mountain Sport Collective - Ski touring and Avalanche information
• SNELL Memorial Foundation
• SnowSafe
• Victorian Snow Report​

• Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
• Emergency Services
• Excursion Support - First aid
• Work diaries and work-rest hours​
• Security and Emergency Management
• School Policy and Advisory Guide
• Staffing and Supervision
• SunSmart
• VicRoads
• Working with Children Check