Health & safety

INFECTIOUS CONDITIONS

Cold and flu illnesses

Cold and flu illnesses, which are unfortunately are more common over winter, can spread quickly among participants on a ski trip, especially while sharing cars or sleeping quarters. 

Attending a trip while sick can be unpleasant for yourself, and also cause others whom you infect to subsequently miss work or other ski trips. At worse the illness may be COVID or influenza, potentially very serious conditions.

The most infectious period is the first few days after the onset of symptoms, but you can still be infectious while you have symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, or a productive cough.

So the club asks participants who are coming down with cold and flu symptoms to please not attend events. 

Extra restrictions, as recommended by health authorities, may be required in future in the event of an infectious disease outbreak  similar to COVID.

Gastro illnesses

Gastroenteric viruses such as norovirus which cause vomiting and diarrhoea can quickly spread among people in shared accommodation. These illnesses are very unpleasant and potentially ruin a trip for everyone concerned. They are spread via the faecal-oral route, usually from unclean hands. Clothes or items handled while symptomatic (and contaminated surfaces) can spread the virus for some time.

Similar to cold and flu illnesses, please do not attend trips if you are currently or very recently suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting, unless you can definitively identify food poisoning as the cause. 

PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR INFECTIOUS CONDITIONS

In light of the above, please adhere to the following measures.

Stay at home if you are symptomatic

To protect yourself and group members, you MUST NOT attend a trip if you have:

• Fever / Temperature > 37.5 degrees

• Chills or sweats

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Shortness of breath

• Runny nose

• Loss or change in sense of smell or taste

• Headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

If you develop any of these symptoms or a temperature during the trip, you must let the leader know immediately. You may need to leave the trip or isolate if unable to leave.  

Practice good hygiene

Please practice good hygiene while on a trip to minimise the risk of infection:

• Always wash hands or use hand sanitiser after using the bathroom

• Always wash or sanitise hands before handling food for consumption by others

• Wash hands before eating food where practical

• Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow and wash hands afterwards

• Ideally use face masks if you develop cold symptoms

• Do not bring items (eg clothing, gear) handled during any recent bought of illness. 

Vaccinations

Strongly consider obtaining seasonal flu and COVID vaccinations before the start of the ski season.

INJURIES

While the club attempts to minimise the risk for participants, skiing is an inherently risky sport and injures or other mishaps may occur. To reduce the chance of injury, please at all times following the instructions of leaders. This includes:

• bringing and wearing appropriate clothing and gear for the conditions (ask if unsure)

• staying on trails or on the route being followed

• staying with your group

• following guidance provided for the use of skis and poles (for beginners)

• skiing within the level of your abilities, ie, in a manner that allows you to stay in control.

The club does not accept responsibility for any injuries you may incur. 

AMBULANCE VICTORIA 

Ambulance Victoria cover is strongly recommended in case a trip to hospital is required. Without cover, long distance ambulance trips can incur costs of thousands of dollars. Private health insurance may not cover non‑emergency ski incidents.

See Membership | ambulance.vic.gov.au.

REFUNDS

For accommodated trips, unfortunately refunds will generally not be available for individuals who cancel due to illness because the club will still incur the cost for the booking. The exception is if the club can find someone able to take your spot, which is not always possible at late notice. Please let trip leaders know your inability to attend as soon as you can.