Back-country ski season safety reports to be produced for Victorian, NSW adventurers

A group of adventurers have won government funding to boost safety warnings for skiers who prefer to explore off the beaten track. Key points: The Mountain Safety Collective issues daily alpine hazard reports for Victorian and NSW back-country adventurers They include information about weather conditions, surface conditions, and avalanches The group has received a $10,000 grant from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Australia's snow-covered mountains will be filled with skiing, snow boarding, hiking and camping enthusiasts in a matter of weeks. Mountain Safety Collective program manager Craig Sheppard said an uptick in back-country skiers brought a need to ensure safety. Crucial forecasting Bega Valley based back-country adventurer Matthew Nott said he visited Kosciuszko National Park with a group of friends every year. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service alpine Queanbeyan area manager Anthony Evans said information available through the service would give winter back-country visitors a more accurate assessment about hazards such as risk of white-out, blizzard or avalanche.