Police warn snow-goers: Carry chains or risk fines and danger as Alpine season kicks off

With nearly 1,500 drivers turned back last year at Mt Hotham alone, police issue urgent plea for snow travellers to plan ahead, as Victoria’s Alpine season begins

A woman scrapes snow off her car at Mt Hotham, Victoria. Photo: AAP/Mt Hotham Resort

Staff writers
5 June 2025 2:11pm

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Victorian Police are urging all snow-bound travellers to properly prepare for Alpine conditions this winter, warning that drivers without legally required wheel chains could face hefty fines or dangerous situations.

Last season, 1,471 vehicles were turned back at Mt Hotham for failing to carry snow chains — a safety measure police say can mean the difference between safe travel and serious injury on icy roads.

As the 2025 Alpine season opens, police are taking a zero-tolerance approach to unprepared travellers, particularly amid a rise in single-day trips where many arrive unaware of the legal and environmental demands of high-altitude driving.

All vehicles entering designated alpine areas during the declared snow season must carry chains and fit them when directed. Failing to carry them can lead to a $395 fine, and failing to fit them when instructed can result in a $988 penalty.

“Last year, in Mt Hotham alone, police turned back 14 drivers a day who didn’t have snow chains,” said Superintendent Joy Arbuthnot of Eastern Region Division Four.

“That’s almost 1,500 people who put themselves, their passengers, and others at serious risk. Your car simply won’t grip on icy roads without chains.”

Victoria Police and authorised officers will conduct random checks on routes into major resorts including Mt Buller, Mt Hotham, Falls Creek, Mt Baw Baw, Lake Mountain, and Mt Stirling.

Alpine-trained officers, highway patrol, the Heavy Vehicle Unit, and Liquor Control Victoria will maintain a strong presence in resort towns, tasked with preventing collisions, assisting search and rescue, and enforcing public safety.

Police responded to 16 major incidents last snow season, including:

A serious head-on crash on Mt Buller Road that injured several people, including four children, when a driver crossed to the wrong side.
A family stranded on the closed, unsealed Dargo High Plains Road after blindly following GPS directions to Mt Hotham.
An experienced hiker rescued from Mount Feathertop after becoming disoriented in a sudden cold front and spending the night in freezing conditions. Fortunately, the hiker had adequate survival gear.
These cases, police say, underscore how fast conditions can change in alpine areas — and how critical preparation is.

Police also caught several drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs during last year’s season. Officers will again be testing for impaired driving and monitoring for unsafe behaviour.

Police are reminding visitors to: