Peak tourist season is fast approaching us here in the Snowy Mountains which means the risk of road accidents is expected to grow. Thankfully, local businesses and council offices have already begun collaborating on safe driving campaigns and initiatives for the 2025 winter season.
Every year, these local safe driving initiatives help keep our roadways safe, ensuring that both Snowy Mountains residents and tourists can enjoy exploring the region with reduced risks of falling victim to motor collisions or other alpine road incidents caused by higher traffic, a lack of familiarity with local roadways and cold weather road conditions.
Tourists urged to prepare prior to travel
Did you know that driving in alpine areas requires specialised training? Knowing how to drive on winding alpine roadways is still, however, one part of the equation. Tourists are also advised to ensure that their vehicles are prepped for mountain driving.
This means investing in snow chains and wet weather tires (typically these have a thicker tread), and equipping their vehicle with essential emergency gear (i.e. first aid kits, emergency thermal blankets, etc.).
Keep in mind that alpine driving is also accompanied by higher risks of hail and rock damage to windscreens and vehicle bodies. This is also why it’s recommended that regional travellers get comprehensive car insurance before setting their sights towards alpine roadways. Even if you aren’t involved in an auto collision, you may still experience damage to your vehicle when travelling across alpine terrain.
Enrolments open for the Snowy Hydro Young Driver Program
Returning to the value of training for alpine driving, one of the longest running local initiatives for driver safety in the Snowy Mountains is the Snowy Hydro Young Driver Training Program. A special initiative designed to educate younger learner and probationary school-aged drivers, the Young Driver Training Program consistently runs during May in preparation for the 2025 winter tourist season.
If your child missed out on participating in the Snowy Hydro Young Training Program for this year, you can still book a session independently with Driving Solutions. You can find more information about the program at the Snowy Hydro website.
The key benefits of the program include educating younger drivers on accident avoidance and vehicle handling across alpine roadways, as well as hazard recognition and focused driving. Students are also advised on how to drive safely through obstructions like heavy rain or snowfall – an essential skill for those looking to head up into the mountains to do some skiing this winter.
Highway patrol to be stationed in anticipation of peak season
On top of local safe driving initiatives like the Snowy Hydro program, Snowy Mountains emergency services and local and state government offices are preparing for higher than anticipated levels of local traffic this year. This is thanks in part to the early arrival of winter weather effectively extending peak season, and the fact that most local roadway projects have been completed in the leadup to winter. Tourists are already beginning to arrive south from Melbourne and west from Sydney, bringing a buzz of activity to resorts and lodges across Thredbo, Perisher, and Charlotte Pass, and closer to Jindabyne.
With traffic already growing earlier than expected in May, Snowy Hydro and NSW police forces are being stationed across local highways to monitor speeds and generally oversee local driving conditions. Road safety announcements are also being made daily with support from local emergency services, so tourists and locals alike are advised to stay up-to-date with emergency updates.
If weather conditions are too severe (i.e. icy roadways, heavier rainfall, etc.), drivers are encouraged to refrain from entering the highway or attempting to scale mountain roadways.
Where to stay updated on news of road conditions
You can find updates on road conditions across the Snowy Mountains region online via the NSW National Parks website, Live Traffic NSW, and the Australian Alps National Parks website. The NSW Police Force will also be sharing updates on local alpine driving conditions regularly via social media.
Radio alerts have also been set up by emergency services and Alpine Shire Council via ABC local radio as well as commercial and designated community radio stations, including Snow FM. Snowy Hydro also recommends drivers with UHF radios tune into Channel 40 when travelling on the Snowy Mountains Highway in order to stay informed about changes in traffic and road conditions
Staying up-to-date in real-time is extremely important during peak season, as there aren’t just elevated risks of high snowfall or icy road conditions. The winter season in the Snowy Mountains is also accompanied by elevated risks of landslips caused by falling snow shelves or rockfall. Staying updated on rapidly changing weather and road conditions can help you and your family avoid being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Stay safe when driving through Snowy Mountains this winter
The Australian Alps actually receive more snowfall by area than the Swiss Alps. And with 3cm of fresh snow at 8am on Monday the 19th of May, it’s safe to assume that this season will see the Mountains absolutely blanketed. With heavier winter weather on the horizon, now is the perfect time for Snowy Mountains residents and tourists looking to travel over and hit the slopes, to prepare themselves and their vehicles for safe alpine driving.
Making these preparations in May and knowing where to find your Snowy Mountains news can help ensure you and your loved ones stay safe and alert on alpine roadways this winter season.