Snowchains on GU Patrol

Many thanks Kim.
Jon W

As of the start of last ski season (04) it has been law (in Vic.) to carry chains in all vechicles in alpine nat. parks.

Mr Kim,

I should have been more specific when I stated chains not required to be carried in NSW alpine parks by 4WD as below....I am from NSW and ski this side of the border.....but have on occassions travelled further south to Falls and Hotham.

I do believe though that in this instance NSW has the legislation right for once in that 4WDs shouldn't need chains if driven to the conditions..... anyway here are snips from both regulations for both states;

****Current NSW Regulations*****

Motorists are legally required to carry correct fitting snow chains in their vehicles when travelling in the “snow-ice” risk sections within the Kosciuszko National Park.

Excluded from this rule are all 4WD vehicles and All wheel drive vehicles, these vehicles do not have to carry chains.

The “snow-ice” risk sections are as follows:-

Road beyond the National Park entrance toll gate on the Perisher/Smiggins Road.
On the Alpine Way from Thredbo through to Khancoban.
Past the National Park entrance toll gate on the road leading to Mt Selwyn.
Please Note:-
Chains are not legally required on the road between Jindabyne and the Ski Tube Station at Bullocks Flat on the Alpine Way.

At times in extreme weather, motorists may be required to fit chains on other sections of road in the Kosciuszko National Park due to snow and ice e.g. Snowy Mountains Hwy. However, you are not legally obliged to carry chains on these sections all of the time.

It is recommended that chains be carried in 2wd vehicles even where it is not mandatory as conditions can change quickly in the mountains.

For up to date road conditions you can phone 0264505600 Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre. Winter operating hours 8.00am to 5.30pm – 7 days a week.

*****Current Victorian Regulations*******

Alpine Resorts (Management) Regulations 1998
S.R. No 46/1998

54. Use of wheel chains on vehicles

A person in charge of a vehicle who enters an alpine resort must at all times during the snow season, carry wheel chains suitable to be properly fitted to that vehicle.

An authorised officer may, at any time, for reasons of safety or for the control or protection of an alpine resort, direct a person in charge of a vehicle to ensure that wheel chains are properly fitted to the drive wheels of that vehicle or, in the case of a four wheel drive vehicle, to either the front or rear wheels of that vehicle.

A person in charge of a vehicle entering or in an alpine resort during the snow season must, when directed to do so by an authorised officer under sub-regulation (2), ensure that wheel chains are properly fitted to the vehicle in the manner directed by that officer.


Thanks Stuart

Adrian, Stuart and Rolande,
Many thanks for the info. From what I have read with regard to Falls Creek, fitment would only be enforced in extreme weather as the access road is regularly cleared. Owing to the nature of this holiday, we won't have time to be exploring snow covered tracks, unfortunately. Will have to make a judgement call at the time depending on the circumstances.
We envy you folks living so close to snow country. We are driving 2.5 days to get to it.
Many thanks.
Jon W

"I do believe though that in this instance NSW has the legislation right for once in that 4WDs shouldn't need chains if driven to the conditions..... "

You are probably right in saying this. However when I was in NZ I lost count of the amount of times an out of control 4x4 almost took us out.

They need to cater for the lowest common denominator. How many people do you know with 4x4s that say "I've got a 4x4. We'll be right mate"?

We'll be down at Perisher for a week this season in a 4x4 F250 and have bought one pair of diamond chains to suit. I don't know if we will need them but, like recovery gear, I wouldn't leave without them just in case.

Dont think you can compare the NZ roads to ski resprts around Queenstown to the roads in NSW or VIC Ski fields.

Most are unsealed, too many Ausies in hire cars with absolutely No Idea what they are doing, considerably steeper and virtually no shoulder.

Driving these roads is a real experience.

Hi Groove,

I must admit that my upcoming trip will be my first to an Aussie ski field. The NZ mountain roads are terrible as far as blind corners and steepness etc goes. Most of the people we met in the ski fields were Australian. However the 4x4s that were sliding all over the road were not the type that I had seen for rent anywhere so I still think that these were locals cars.
A week after we got back there was a 4x4 slide over the edge of the mountain road killing all inside. Aussie tourists from memory.

My Wife has been to many US ski fields and thought we would never make it in our rental Starlet on our last NZ trip. Whenever they went they had a big Yank tank 4x4 as the snow was deep and that was just driving around town! I guess all ski areas are different.

I should also add that I was s******g my pants on the first morning that I attacked the drive to the Remarkables. No f*****g way I'd take an F250 up that road. From memory they closed the road to other traffic when they had to take a truck up or down that road.

The new Vic rules came in start of this year.

Many thanks Leroy.