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We are passionate about the Victorian backcountry. The goal of this Companion is to share some ideas on where, when and how to enjoy the very best of what the Alpine National Park has on offer in the winter season. The Companion is here to progress all levels of participation in the backcountry from first earned turners to the well seasoned shredders. We hold firm to the belief that sharing knowledge helps everyone make better decisions out there. Enjoy and we hope we see you out there.
Pre-dawn starts at the Crowsnest Camp on Mount Feathertop’s Diamantina Face. Image @dylrobinson
In the spirit of reconciliation, the collaborators behind the Victorian Backcountry Companion, acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the country now known as Australia and in particular the Jaithmathang, Taungurung Woiworung and Gunaikurnai peoples’ connection to the mountains described here in the Companion. We pay our respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
What you need to know:
Directions: All directions and compass bearings, cardinal (North, South, East or West) or decimal (eg: 200˚) are provided as magnetic. ‘Skiers left’* and ‘skier right’ are perspective bearings relative to the user's direction of travel, as described, uphill or downhill. We don’t use looker’s direction. You need to know how to find and follow a compass bearing to use this resource.
The GPS routes are for reckoning if lost, not as primary navigation.
*Skier is ‘rider’ if you ride a split-board.
Elevation: This resource provides location reckoning in elevations. Elevations are all measured in meters above sea level. The only reliable field tool for taking elevation readings is a recently calibrated barometric (GPS supported) altimeter watch.
Conditions: The standard used to assess the tour ratings provided here were consistent with MSC ‘Usual Caution’ conditions. When conditions change so do tour ratings and the skills required for safe travel. This resource uses the MSC Conditions Bulletin for a travel advice rating. See below for more on the dynamics of tour ratings.
