Driving in snow

Driving in snow

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Most visitors to Victoria will only encounter snow on the roads when visiting ski resorts or snowfields during the winter and early spring. However, during certain weather events, occasional snowfalls can also occur in higher altitude areas of the Grampians, Macedon Ranges, Otway Ranges and Dandenong Ranges.

Drive cautiously on roads affected by snow. Keep a good distance from vehicles in front of you. Use brakes gently and avoid braking when cornering. If visibility is poor, drive with your headlights on low beam.

Tips for driving in the snow »

Driving to snowfields

Victoria's official snow season commences on the King's Birthday long weekend in June and concludes on either the last weekend of September or first weekend of October. Seasonal variations may result in the snow season dates being changed.

When driving to Victoria's snowfields during the official snow season, there may be restrictions in place that require you to carry snow chains. While roads in and out of these areas are regularly cleared of snow, certain weather or road conditions may require snow chains to be fitted to tyres to provide better grip. Only do so if directed by road signage or official personnel.

For those driving along the section of the Great Alpine Road between Harrietville and Omeo, even if you are not visiting the ski resorts of Mount Hotham or Dinner Plain, you still need to obey the rules for those resorts which require all vehicles to carry snow chains during the snow season.

There is no fuel available at any of Victoria's snowfields. Ensure you have adequate supplies by filling up at petrol stations located in nearby towns. For drivers of electric vehicles, a few snow resorts have recharging stations.

Snowfield Nearest fuel Do you need snow chains? Details
Dinner Plain Bright, Omeo You must carry snow chains during the snow season.
Falls Creek Mount Beauty You must carry snow chains during the snow season.
Lake Mountain Marysville Two wheel drive vehicles must carry chains only during periods of heavy snow falls.
Mount Baw Baw Neerim Junction, Rawson You must carry snow chains during the snow season.
Mount Buffalo Porepunkah You must carry snow chains during the snow season. There may be limited periods when the requirement to carry chains is lifted.
Mount Buller Mirimbah Day visitors only need to carry chains depending on weather and road conditions. Chain carrying requirements are determined on a daily basis. All overnight visitors must carry chains during the snow season as there are no chain hiring services on the mountain.
Mount Donna Buang Warburton Snow chains not usually required as it receives less snow than the ski resorts and snow is frequently cleared from the road. It is not mandatory to carry chains.
Mount Hotham Bright, Omeo You must carry snow chains during the snow season.
Mount St Gwinear Rawson You must carry snow chains during the snow season.
Mount Stirling Mirimbah Day visitors only need to carry chains depending on weather and road conditions. All overnight visitors must carry chains during the snow season.

Fitting snow chains on a vehicle »