Guideline review date: 24 September 2025
This guideline is provided to support schools in implementing the
managing risks in school curriculum activities procedure.
The
CARA planner (DOCX, 232KB) must be used for the specific school context in conjunction with this guideline considering additional risks, hazards and controls and including environmental, facility, equipment and student considerations.
For activities beyond the scope of this guideline, complete a CARA record using the
CARA generic template (DOCX, 98KB).
Activity scope
This guideline demonstrates the minimum safety standard for student participation in the snow sports of alpine skiing and snowboarding (undertaken within or near established ski-village recreation areas with ready access to emergency assistance) as an activity to support curriculum delivery. Alpine skiing is skiing down groomed and lift-serviced ski trails/runs with fixed-heel bindings.
Note: This activity does
not include nordic skiing, ski touring, tobogganing or snow tubing. Tobogganing is not permitted as a curriculum activity.
The Department of Education is committed to ensuring that curriculum activities are planned for and managed in accordance with the
Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of students, staff and others.
Depending on the scope of this activity, other risk assessments may be required when planning. Curriculum activities encompassing more than 1 CARA guideline (e.g. snow sports—skiing and snowboarding while
camping) must comply with the requirements of all CARA guidelines appropriate to the activity.
For activities conducted at a non-Department of Education venue, and/or when engaging external expertise, request written risk assessment advice and attach it to this CARA record.
For activities conducted off-site, schools must comply with the
school excursions procedure.
Risk level
High risk
Alpine skiing and snowboarding on groomed beginner and intermediate ski trails/runs.
Extreme risk
Alpine skiing and snowboarding on groomed advanced ski trails/runs.
Activity requirements
If any requirement cannot be met, the activity must not occur.
A registered teacher must be appointed to maintain overall responsibility for the activity.
Teachers, in collaboration with other adult supervisors of the planned activity, determine additional risks, hazards and control measures relevant to the activity and the specific school/group circumstances in order to lift the safety standard above the minimum identified in the CARA guideline.
Consult review comments from previous CARA records to improve safety standards based on the advice from the previous supervisors of the activity at the school.
Prior consultation and collaboration with local expertise (e.g. local authority, lift operators) is required for local advice, emergency support mechanisms and additional supervision requirements to ensure participant and public safety.
Permission/permits are required to be obtained from land managers (e.g. local councils or private landholders), if applicable.
Reference to
Snowsafe Australia and
Outdoors Victoria Adventure Activity Standards (PDF, 454KB) is required when planning this activity.
Students confined to a designated area according to their skill level (e.g. beginner, intermediate) and appropriate grading/classification of slopes (note: gradings/classifications may vary between and within countries) and be based on advice from the qualified instructor.
Students must not ski alone (groups of at least 4, including an instructor, are recommended) and all students to leave the slopes together at the end of the session.
Night-time skiing must be confined to designated well-lit ski trails/runs and be considered appropriate for the skill level of all students participating.