Snow camping code
Snow camping in the Australian Alps national parks
Australian Alps Liaison Committee
Minimal impact snow camping
Most of Australia's best cross-country skiing and snow camping opportunities can be enjoyed in the Australian Alps national parks. Tasmania also has some good skiing and camping opportunities in many areas in winter.
Winter visitors to these parks can accidentally damage the fragile alpine environment through inappropriate or careless practices. Some impacts can become very obvious when the snow melts.
The page explains ways of snow camping and ski touring that have minimal impact on the alpine environment. By adopting a Minimial Impact philosophy and following the guidelines in this page, our snow areas will continue to be protected and to offer us remote snow camping experiences.
Cooking, heat and fire
- Always carry a fuel stove when snow camping – If you carry warm clothes and use a fuel stove, fires will not be needed for warmth or cooking. Compared with fires, fuel stoves are faster, cleaner and a lot easier to use in winter.
- Fires are only permitted in huts where pot-belly stoves or fireplaces are provided – A fire built on the snow or a log raft will burn down and damage sensitive alpine vegetation. Such fires are illegal in the Alps national parks.
- Minimise the use of fires in huts in winter – Stored supplies of firewood may be needed by other groups in an emergency. It is also difficult to replace firewood in winter.
- Cooking outside in winter can be a highly enjoyable and social activity – Use a snow-shovel to construct a kitchen area near the tent site. Dig a trench for your feet and build a wall of snow blocks to deflect any cold winds. Sit on insulating mats for comfort and warmth. Combining meals is a friendly activity and saves fuel.
- Remember to dismantle snow walls – fill in your kitchen area prior to moving camp.
- Stoves should not be used in tents – due to the danger of the tent catching fire, hot liquids and food spilling, carbon monoxide poisoning and the depletion of oxygen in confined spaces.
Planning your ski tour
- Keep your party small – Large parties (more than eight) have more environmental impact, affect the experience of others and are harder to manage.
- Sunlight in the mountains burns even on cold and cloudy days – Protect your skin and eyes. Always wear a peaked cap, good sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Be able to read weather charts – Plan your trip with the forecast in mind. Also plan for delays so you are not forced to travel in white-out and blizzard conditions. Carry several extra days' food.
- Let someone know before you go ski touring – Tell them about your party, your route, when you plan to return and the equipment the party is carrying. Remember to contact then when you get back.
More information
For more commonsense information to help you stay safe and protect the natural and cultural environment of the Australian alps see:
- Care for the Alps - Leave no trace
- Bushwalking code
- Cycling code
- Car-based camping code
- Horse riding code
- Huts code
- River users code
A snow-camper enjoying the view outside his tent.
Photo: K.McCallum
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