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The captain of the Mount Stirling ski patrol is sounding the alarm for public safety if the mountain's ski patrol is scrapped as a cost-saving measure, as the resort's managing body works to achieve solvency. Alpine Resorts Victoria (ARV), the entity that manages Victoria's six alpine resorts, confirmed to the ABC last week that Mount Stirling resort had been operating under a financial deficit for several years. This prompted a review of the resort's operations, with ARV flagging changes to snow operations, including to winter ski patrol services. Volunteer ski patrol captain Craig Kappes said he feared for the future of the patrol and public safety on the affordable and accessible snow field. "With the ski patrol in place, we are trained first responders in remote settings, and we can maintain the welfare of those casualties until the ambulance service actually arrives." ARV said that it was consulting with staff and volunteers and would consider their feedback. Mr Kappes said without the ski patrol, incidents would be referred to Police Search and Rescue and then Ambulance Victoria. "We imagine that this would really blow up response times and may complicate some of the incidents that may and are likely to occur," he said. Resort plays an educational role Mr Kappes said 90 schools visited the mountain this winter, as well as Scouts groups. "The ski patrol has offered a degree of safety that the schools can build into their risk management plans," he said. Craig Jones, who ran Mount Stirling resort from 1986 to 2022, said the mountain and its ski patrol played a role in public education of the alpine environment. He said the ski patrol's services were needed in the same way as lifesavers patrolled beaches. "We need an area served by the government to look after students, look after the people," he said. The Mount Stirling 2030 Vision details nine objectives guiding Mount Stirling's operations, including infrastructure and services that support "efficient, safe and positive visitor experiences". Ski patrol was listed as one of the resort's essential services, alongside power, water and waste management. Concerns at Mount Baw Baw Kevin Seerup, a member of a ski lodge at Mount Baw Baw, also has concerns about the reduction of services in his area. Last year, the government said it was seeking expressions of interest for the long-term lease arrangement to run Mount Baw Baw. Mr Seerup said ARV had not indicated any intention to close the Mount Baw Baw resort, but he thought the board and management were "on a path of running down the resort". He cited the 2023 demolition of the Alpine Resort Hotel and the closure of the village restaurant in summer as examples. The Mount Baw Baw website states the resort is closed for the summer season, which Mr Seerup said was "misleading" as lodges were still taking guests. "It just seems like the wrong direction to head in." ARV said it was "committed to the long-term viability" of Mount Stirling and was working towards a financially sustainable strategic plan for all alpine resorts.
