Perisher Valley team leader Mick Couvee, a veteran of 23 snow seasons, said he and his team had attended 38 calls in June, 31 in July and 40 so far this month (a snapshot of jobs is featured below).

“This is one of the biggest sporting events in the Southern Hemisphere. We get over one million people visiting the Kosciuszko National Park during snow season,” Paramedic Couvee said.

“Outside the park, people go cross country skiing and those sort of adventure sports. But as with any sport, there’s a risk of injury.”

Conditions of late have not been assisted by a blizzard that blew in on Wednesday afternoon with winds of up to 130km/h.

Calls during this period included an incident yesterday (Thursday, August 17, 2017) when Jindabyne paramedics and Community First Responder (CFR) volunteers joined NSW Police in the protracted, three-hour rescue of a 38-year-old woman who had dislocated her knee while walking on a track above Thredbo.

On Wednesday night, a 35-year-old man suffered a serious leg fracture after hitting a tree while riding a skidoo. He had to be airlifted to Canberra Hospital for further treatment.

Paramedic Couvee said the blizzard was forecast to give way to clear skies this afternoon and, combined with the week’s high snowfalls, another big weekend was expected – both for skiing and callouts.

“On blue sky days where it’s fine and there’s more visibility, we tend to get a high incidence of trauma because people let their skis run harder, increasing the risk of injury,” he said.

“We’re encouraging visitors to adhere to the Alpine Responsibility Code which includes not skiing beyond your ability, using appropriate protective equipment, obeying all signs and warnings, and not skiing while intoxicated or drug-affected.

“Basically, ski to the conditions otherwise you’ll run into me and the team.”

On the roads, Paramedic Couvee reminded motorists that Operation Snowsafe is underway, during which NSW Police are patrolling the roads, making sure people arrive and leave safely.

“We’ve got ice and slush on the roads – motorists have to apply chains if they’re in a two-wheel drive car. Four-wheel drives are exempt, but people should still drive slower and drive to the conditions.

“The police and Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) are constantly checking for chains in areas where they are required, otherwise motorists will slide off the road.

“I drove down from Perisher last week and passed four cars off road including three sedans that didn’t have chains fitted. They hit the ice and slide off, go over embankments, and people trying to winch them out.”

Paramedic Couvee said with medical call-outs including asthmas and chest pains, people are reminded to always have their medication close at hand.

2017 snow season – NSW Ambulance callouts have included:

10/6              Kosciuszko National Park – 17yo f – Intoxicated, passed out

11/6              Jindabyne – 24yo f  – Suspected alcohol poisoning

12/6              Jerangle – 20yo f – Fall from motorbike, severe head injury

17/6              Kosciuszko National Park – 81yo m – Intoxicated

25/6              Jindabyne – 55yo m – Intoxicated, head injury

29/6              Perisher Valley – 6yo f  – Suspected fractured leg while skiing

2/7                Kosciuszko National Park – 7yo m – Toboggan vs pedestrian – leg injury

2/7                Kosciuszko National Park – 16yo m – Fractured clavicle snowboarding

10/7              Kosciuszko National Park – 15yo m – Head injury skiing

12/7              Kosciuszko National Park – 12yo f – Suspected spinal injury

13/7              Kosciuszko National Park – 16yo f – Snowboarding knee injury

15/7              Charlotte Pass – 12yo m – Chest, rib injuries while skiing

19/7              Kosciuszko National Park – 24yo m – Suspected internal injuries skiing

22/7              Kosciuszko National Park – 22yo f – Abdominal injury after colliding with tower

22/7              Kosciuszko National Park – 36yo m – Fractured leg while skiing

29/7              Kosciuszko National Park – 62yo f  – Serious leg injury while skiing

30/7              Kosciuszko National Park – 41yo m – Slipped on ice, dislocated shoulder.

1/8                Kosciuszko National Park – 46yo m – Unconscious after ski collision

2/8                Smiggins Holes – 15yo f – Possible spinal fracture                                     

6/8                Perisher Valley – 40yo m – Suspected leg fracture, slipped in snow

7/8                Jindabyne – 2 patients – Vehicle down embankment. Minor injuries

7/8                Kosciuszko National Park – 31yo f – Head and chest injuries

13/8              Kosciuszko National Park – 45yo f –  Knee injury

17/8              Kosciuszko National Park – 38yo f – Dislocated knee