MSC COVID-19 Policy
MSC Covid-19 Policy
30th May 2020
Governments will soon need to announce whether the 2020 ski season will be possible given the ongoing issues of social distancing, the spread of COVID-19 and fears of a second wave of infection.
Obviously, mountain and resort towns and communities along travel routes from major cities are hoping the season can proceed, especially after the enormous economic impacts caused by last summer’s fires followed by Level 3 Covid Restrictions.
If state governments decide that ski season is not viable given the C-19 pandemic, this will lead to potentially thousands of people deciding to try backcountry skiing, snowshoeing and snowboarding. Many of these people will be novices who will lack the skills and equipment to travel in the backcountry safely. This in turn could place substantial demands on police, ambulance, and other emergency responders, at a time where there are already enormous demands on resources. And if the season is allowed to proceed with social distancing measures in resort and accommodation, it is likely that there will still be a surge in backcountry users. All snow related social media and forums are being dominated by discussions about backcountry options at present as speculation mounts about ski season.
One option is to close the Alpine Parks. We would argue that a better option is to keep the backcountry open, but find ways to minimise the risks and drain on public resources.
Benefits
Economic: Many people will travel through, and stay in, towns along routes to the mountains. Winter is a peak season for many of these areas and having winter traffic will be welcomed by these communities. Social distancing measures can be managed by these communities.
Public and mental health benefits: Many people will engage in low impact, outdoor recreation, which will have huge personal and public health benefits for a community which has largely been locked at home for months. The mental health benefits of outdoor winter activity cannot be overstated.
Mountain Sports Collective
MSC is the user representative group for winter backcountry users. We have been discussing ways to minimise risks associated with providing opportunities for backcountry recreation in the realms of:
Social distancing aware outdoor recreation
Maximising safety awareness and planning to reduce the need for intervention by police, search and rescue and other emergency services (see below)
MSC could take on managing an online registration service for backcountry users for the 2020 season, which would centralise what is normally a very decentralised and often ad hoc process. This will reduce pressures on police and search and rescue and reduce the prospect of people failing to register at trailheads.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss these issues further.
Appendix
Maximising safety awareness in the backcountry
MSC aims to inform and support backcountry users to take sensible decisions before and during backcountry trips. For instance:
Aim to reduce any potential demand on police or other emergency services
·Make conservative terrain choices this winter – for instance stay off steeper slopes, wind loaded or icy slopes, slopes with cornices above them, etc
Avoid travel to remote locations
Stay informed of weather and backcountry snow conditions and choose your timing carefully
Ideally people will not travel on their own. A group of 4+ is ideal in case of emergency, for the group to be able to self rescue.
Ensure that your group has adequate safety self rescue equipment (Bivy bag, phone battery back up, Aid Kit, etc ) and that this is carried at all times, including day trips
Trip intentions must be left with responsible friends who might be able to help you if need be rather than relying on emergency services. eg have suitably skilled friends who could come and support your group to get out of a backcountry area in case of a minor area
Avoid calling 000 except in the case of a life threatening situation.