NSW Police responded to more than 20 search and rescue operations, issued more than 3,000 infringement and reduced major collisions by 20 per cent over the snow season, as part of a high visibility four month police operation.
Operation Snow Safe ran from Friday 6 June 2025 until Monday 6 October 2025. The high visibility operation coincided with the opening of the official ski season on Saturday 7 June 2025.
Operation Snow Safe saw a surge in additional police officers from across New South Wales deployed to the Snowy Mountain region, within the Monaro Police District. General duties officers attached to Monaro Police District, with assistance from Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, Police Rescue Squad, Southern Region Licensing Police, the NSW Dog Unit and other specialist units were out in force to conduct patrols across the snowy mountains.
Officers targeted alpine safety, anti-social behaviour, alcohol-related crime in licensed venues, dangerous and distracted driving on roads leading to the snow and risky behaviour on the slopes.
NSW Police coordinated search and rescue operations during the snow season including officers from the Monaro Police District Alpine Operations Unit, NSW Police Rescue Squad along with considerable assistance from the State Emergency Service ASAR teams, Fire & Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance Service and National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The following results were achieved;
- More than 20 multi-agency search and rescues led by Monaro Police District with assistance from Police Rescue Squad and the SES
- More than 31,000 RBT conducted
- 3,131 infringements issued including for speeding offences.
- 227 positive RDT detected
- 109 PCAs
- 153 charges laid
- 1,400 licensed premises inspections conducted on and off the snow fields
Notable incidents include
- About 1:15am on Saturday 9 August 2025, officers were driving an unparked Highway Patrol car south along Kosciuszko Road, Avondale near Jindabyne, when they detected a car allegedly travelling at 175km/hr in a 100km/hr signposted zone. The 26-year-old man was pulled over and issued with a court attendance notice for drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous and class A m/v exceed speed > 45 km/h to appear in Cooma Local Court on Wednesday 22 October 2025. His license was suspended.
- About 10.45pm on Friday 13 June 2025, police responded to the Kings Highway, Narthangera, following reports of a single vehicle crash. Officers responded and found a car left the roadway and down an embankment. Officers arrested the 40-year-old man and he was taken to Bungendore Police station and subjected to a breath analysis. He allegedly returned a reading od 0.285. He was charged with drive with high range PCA, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period and driver or rider state false name or home address. He appeared in Queanbeyan Local Court on Monday 7 July 2025.
- About 4.15pm on Saturday 23 August 2025, police were patrolling Kosciusko Road, Coolringdon, when they allegedly detected a car travelling at 166km/hr in a 100km/hr signposted zone. Police pulled over the vehicle and issued the 24-year-old male driver with a traffic infringement notice for Class A motor vehicle exceed speed limit great than 45 km/h and his license suspended.
- About 5:20pm on Sunday 7 September, police were called to Monaro Highway, Billilingra following reports of when they allegedly detected a car travelling at 163km/hr in a signposted 100km/hr zone. Police subjected the 19-year-old male driver allegedly returned a positive roadside breath test. He was taken to Cooma police station where he allegedly returned a positive reading of 0.118. He was issued with a court attendance notice for P2 driver exceed speed > 45 km/h and drive with middle range PCA to appear in Cooma Local Court on Wednesday 22 October 2025. His license was suspended.
Monaro Police District Commander Superintendent Toby Lindsay APM the operation has been success.
"It is estimated that more than 2.5 million people visited the NSW Snowy Mountains region over the four-month operation period, it was pleasing to see the majority of people doing the right thing. It is still concerning to see the number of people heading out into the alpine backcountry ill-prepared, with more than a twenty multi-agency rescues for people in trouble," Supt Lindsay said.
"As the weather warms up, we encourage people not to become complacent and if they are heading out enjoying the best Spring and Summer has to offer around the Snowy Mountain Region, skiing or hiking in the considerable snow that remains, camping, fishing or mountain biking that they still fill out a trip intention form and carry a Personal Locator Beacon where necessary and enjoy our beautiful snowy region safely."
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Superintendent Joe Thone has commended drivers for heeding the warnings from Police, with no fatalities recorded in and around the ski fields over the operation period.
"It's pleasing to see a just over 20 per cent reduction in injury collisions compared to Operation Snow Safe last year. However, it's still concerning to see the number of high speeds detected on roads in and around the snowfields. The changing weather conditions can make driving on the roads challenging, and it's disappointing to see driver putting themselves and others at risk," Supt Thone said.
"Traffic and Highway Patrol command also conducted a heavy vehicle enforcement operation around Smiggins over three days in August, with 70 buses inspected, 13 defect notices issued and 7 penalty infringement notices issued. 33 deficiencies were identified under the Bus Operator Accreditation Scheme. We make no apologies for holding people to account and despite the Snow Safe Operation being completed, officers will continue to monitor the road network targeting dangerous drivers."
