Mulubinba Lodge

The environment

In the mountains you will encounter a harsh enviroment. There is the cold in winter (and summer) and the heat and sun in the summer (and winter).
If you are downhill skiing or boarding there may be many people around you.
If you are out on the tracks or bushwalking there may be almost no people around you.
Here is some information to make your stay in the mountains safe and enjoyable, both for yourself and for those around you.

Cross Country Track Etiquette

While the cross country trails are usually uncrowded there are times and places where you may encounter possibly dangerous conditions. The XC etiquette is a few simple rules to ensure that everybody can enjoy skiing the trails safely.

• Do not walk or snowshoe on the trail. You will make holes that may trip a skier. Walk beside the trail. If you must cross a ski trail then do so as lightly as possible. Please do not step on the set tracks (those two deep groves to the side of the trail), step over them. Perisher Blue is in the process of building specialised snowshoe trails that will allow walkers and snowshoers to mingle safely with skiers.

• Move off the trail before you take a rest. If you stop and mingle in the middle of the trail it can be bedlam trying to get clear when a skier suddenly races around the corner.

• Ski to the left on groomed trails, just like you drive on the left of the road. An exception is when you are using the set tracks to negotiate a downhill stretch, which is covered by the following point.

• Downhill skiers have right of way. If you are skiing uphill allways give way to other skiers coming down the hill. It is easy for you to stop and step off the trail. It might be almost impossible for the downhill skier.

• On the other hand, before you tackle a downhill slope have a look to see if there are any skaters coming up the hill, and wait for them to pass. A skater can stop their uphill progress rapidly but it takes an enormous amount of effort to start again.

• Pass or overtake other skiers at a safe distance. Remember, they, or you, may trip and push a pole out for balance.

• Call out 'track' to your friends if you spot a skier coming in either direction in a hurry, so both you and your friends may allow the faster skier to pass safely.

• If you are going fast and encounter slower skiers then you, in turn, should politely call 'track' to alert to other skiers that you are coming through.

• Racers always have right of way. If there is a race in progress be very carefull to look around for the racers, generally anyone wearing a race bib, and let them pass safely. When they are racing they are in a very big hurry.

• Unlike the downhill trails the XC trails are not patrolled. Alway ski with at least one companion.

Cross country skiing on the trails is a social event. It is normal procedure to smile, say G'day and even to chat for a while and exchange lollies with each passing skier. Except for racers and skaters going uphill of course. They are in a hurry, just smile. A click-click applause with your poles will help to urge them on their way.

Alpine Responsibility Code

Downhill skiing is an inherently dangerous activity. The Responsibility code is a set of rules to make your skiing experience and those around you safe and enjoyable.

1. Know your ability and always stay in control and be able to stop and avoid other people or objects.  It is your responsibility to stay in control on the ground and in the air.
2. Take lessons from qualified professional instructors to learn and progress.
3. As you proceed downhill or overtake another person, you must avoid the people below and beside you.
4. Do not stop where you obstruct a trail or run or are not visible from above.
5. When entering a trail or run or starting off downhill, look uphill and give way to others. 
6. When riding chairlifts always use the restraining devices. Always use suitable restraints to aviod runaway ski/snowboard equipment. Ensure your equipment is in good condition.
7. Observe and obey all signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails or runs and out of closed areas.
8. Before using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.
9. Do not ski, snowboard, ride a lift or undertake any other alpine activity if your ability is impaired by drugs or alcohol.
10. If you are involved in, or witness an accident, alert Ski Patrol, remain at the scene and identify yourself to Ski Patrol.

You should know the code, it is printed on the back of your downhill ticket and displayed at the bottom of every lift. If you fail to observe the code then you risk having your ticket cancelled by the Ski Patroll or other authorised personell. Know and observe the code and ski safely.

Keeping your Body Safe

The sun is harsh up here in the mountains.

You will be between one and a half and two kilometers or more above sea level. You will need:

• Sunglasses. It's bright in the summer. It's even brighter in the winter, with all that white snow laying around. Don't you or your children ever leave the lodge without eye protection. In winter wrap round sunnies or goggles are a must.
  
• Sunscreen. Lots of it. In summer it's brighter than any beach down there at the ocean. In winter it's much worse. Even on a cloudy day you will get burnt without protection. Don't forget to sunscreen those bits you might not do at the beach, inside your nose and ears, under your arms, under your chin. In winter the sun reflects up from the snow as much as it shines down from they sky.
• A hat. A big one.

It is dry.

The mountain atmosphere is very dry, most especially in winter. It may look wet with all that snow but in fact the relative humidity is usually very close to zero. All the water is in that in that snow laying around on the ground.

You will need at least a litre of water with you if you go out for a ski, especially a cross country ski. If you intend bushwalk or to ski, say, to Charlotte Pass then take a couple of litres. And don't be tempted to eat the snow. It may taste nice at first but it is is full of ammonia (and the odd bit of wombat wee and groomer transmission oil) and will give you a very good tummy ache.

It is, or can be, cold.

Even on the most sunny and beautifull of days a storm can blow up in minutes summer or winter. Before you venture out of the lodge for a bushwalk or a XC ski you will need:

• Water (of course)
• Something to eat, a chocolate bar, some cookies, lollies.
• Several layers of clothing. Not a single big downhill ski jacket, rather several thin layers. A few spare t-shirts or skivis, a waterproff outer or two, a jumper, some extra waterproof pants, a spare beanie, a neck protector, a balaclava, some goggles and a spare pair of gloves.
• Something thick and waterproof to sit on when resting. There may not be a handy rock.

Experience tells here. Six of us went out round the 10K track on a bright sunny morning. Half way round, right down at the end of the loop, half an hours ski back to anywhere, it closed in. Rain. Then sleet. Then hail. Then some of the heaviest snow we had encountered out there. Then the wind started. A 40 Knot south westerly straight into our faces. We made it back safely because we had the gear with us. Not so the people we met on the 2.5K loop as we neared the nordic shelter. They were not very happy in their shorts and t-shirts and were glad we could assist them back to the shelter.

Keeping Everybody Safe

Don't go out there alone.

There may be nobody else where you intend to go. If you fall over and hurt yourself you will need a companion to assist you and another one or two to go for help. Take your friends with you.

More importantly, if you do go out there alone and fall down hurt you will be subject to a search and rescue mission by somebody. Those who are searching for you will be putting their own welfare at risk.

When you and your friends go out tell somebody where you are going and when you expect to be back. Give them your phone numbers.

Take your charged phone with you. Most areas around the resorts and many areas round the mountains, even Mount Kosciuszko, have phone reception. However, don't rely on it. Many areas are without phone service, especially in the valleys, and that is where you will most likely fall down. Be prepared to fend for yourselves, at least for a while.

Remember, always, people can and do die up here in the mountains. Be careful. Be safe.

Do not ski alone.

Do not walk alone.

Enjoy yourself, with your friends. Safely.