Yes, I'm willing to say I did know better on this occasion. It was a fine, sunny day, 12 degrees on the mountain with zero chance of rain. All one needed to do was look at the weather forecast! I do Sympathise with others here who complain of a nanny-state.
It's a small gripe in the scheme of things. If it were more than $25 I might have been motivated to complain to the RMB. If it were to happen again, I might well be on the phone to them, or I'll go elsewhere.
$25 is cheap. They're not making money. I can tell you from first hand experience, that if they only charged that amount when chains were needed, they'd be running at a huge loss given the breakages from idiots who don't know or can't be bothered to fit them properly. Also, if they were to charge less than $25, they'd be taking business away from the smaller off-mountain ski hires. Where do you normally ski that you think you know better than the resort?
Even Baw Baw's chain fitting team agreed with me that chains were not needed, but apologised that they don't make the rules. Obviously they must know better too. It is plain as day to anyone that warm, sunny weather and a clear road does not require one to fit snow chains.
Somebody told me that BB were FORCED to make chains available, that makes more sense than the empire building theory. They were probably told that they could be found accountable for the results of accidents. Would explain their almost frenzied efforts to ensure that numskulls don't endanger themselves and the convoys up and down. Catch 22 when one needed chains to get into the chain fitting area. . Not much opportunity for adventure these days, enjoy it all ?
Just because a section of freeway is dead straight and empty of traffic, doesn't mean you won't get fined for travelling at 130kph, even though it would be perfectly safe to do so. Laws still apply to those who think they know better. That's how a civilized world remains civilized. The problem with allowing judgement to supersede law. Is law is gets devalued. An soon civilized becomes anarchy. Execute law without judgement. It's the only way it works. Tolerance can be shown at consequence.
Well, I made my day trip to Baw Baw. That road is something else!!! I can fully understand why chains are mandatory! The slightest bit of ice or snow on it could be lethal. It was bad enough on a sunny day with a few leaves on it.
Yep, it's a doozy going up or down for first timers, and even after a few years just got to take it easy, no matter when you drive it
Throw ski gear in car, throw skis in car, throw chains in car, go skiing. How hard is it? Buy a set and they'll last to you die.
I haven't read every post in this thread but circa 20yo me goes to Baw Baw on a bluebird day in my Commodore Ute. Lie to the gate dude that I have chains. Get to a stepper pitch near the top and traffic stops due to parking queue. I slide off the road due to the freeze after yesterdays melt (thankfully didn't hit the car behind me). Chock my wheels, get changed, hitch to the top. Have a great day and hitch/walk back to car. Drive home safely. Ah life
Ps I'm now a resident of Queanbeyan, drive an Everest, chains aren't mandatory in nsw but I have a pair sitting in my shed just in case.
For anyone who doesn't have chains buy diamond pattern please, don't get ladder chains. I'd rather you got up and down safely on the superior design......and not hold me up either while you get winched back onto the road ;-)
There's a major difference between ladder chains not being permitted at some Victorian resorts, and them not being legal.
They are legal. They are not permitted at Mt Hotham and Mt Baw Baw. For good reason. Permitted for Falls Creek, Mt Buller and Lake Mountain in Vic, and all NSW resorts.
They canvstill be used. Only Hotham and Baw Baw disallow ladder chains in their resort specific conditions. They SHOULD be disallowed across the resorts for winter driving for the reason that ladders chains can't handle ice as well. Ladder chain still have utility for mud and dirt traction but they have been superceded by diamond pattern chains for snow (and ICE) driving.
Chains were required for 2wd and advised for awd from howmans gap today. There was a bit of slush on a few corners but it was mainly clear bitumen, they are being very conservative probably due to insurance i ssues.
The traction difference with ladder chains and diamond pattern snow chains is explained in this link https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/document...vsi-57-driving-in-ice-and-snow-conditions.pdf #91
I met a couple today at BB who wanted to go for a green season walk to the summit :-0. I doubt they had snow chains and they certainly didn't have white season attire, skis or snow shoes.They had no idea that Mt. BB was under fresh snow in the second week October . We had just skied all the XC trails on Nordic ski gear . That road up/ down to/ from the resort is as steep as any ski resort I have encountered in Ozstriya. Only Mt. Hot Ham from Harrietville comes close .I have seen numpties slide off the Great Alpine road on the Mt. Hot Ham approach due two factors: 1. NO chains fitted . 2. Total inexperience in driving on steep roads in snow and ice conditions. Even black ice and a touch too much speed can be a bad mix.
Yes quite right , , and my pet gripe for Lake Mountain is that I am required to fit chains ( my own set that live in my car boot) once in a while during the ski season . I am driving an AWD with all terrain tyres and I drive very carefully in LOW gear , with a windshield emblazoned with VIC and NSW ski resort entry passes. I am no newbie to this caper whereas Lake Mt. visitor profile would be 90 % snow baller throwers with no idea about snow and ice driving or how to fit chain properly either.
