ABC TV’s much-loved series with a big heart, Back Roads takes viewers to more of Australia’s interesting and resilient regional communities. These towns are full of colourful characters whose grit and good humour continue to uplift and inspire.
Tonight on Back Roads, Heather Ewart discovers a very different type of community on the roof of Australia as she visits the peaks of Victoria and New South Wales’ snow country.
“I feel like I’m in a Christmas card.” – Heather Ewart.
It’s a community that’s bound by shared passions and the basic need to cooperate to survive the sometimes treacherously beautiful climate.
Back Roads arrives in Dinner Plain during a blizzard for the 26th running of the annual Sled Dog Challenge.
Heather Ewart is introduced to the joyous world of the sled dogs and their owners, known as “mushers”, like Canadian Courtney Persson, who brought her dogs with her when she migrated to Australia.
Then there’s the extraordinary friendship of skier Sarah Jane “SJ” Staszak and Disabled Wintersport Australia ski guide Paul Gardner.
SJ was a keen outdoors adventure woman before a back operation accidentally made her a quadriplegic. But it hasn’t stopped her getting back on the slopes, with Paul’s help.
Heather also gets to go on a unique picnic with a group of people who teach visitors how to survive the harsh conditions, as well as how to appreciate the beauty of the uniquely Australian snow country.
Mike Edmondson is an alpine photographer and guide, whilst Pieter and Dave Herring take back country ski tours and teach avalanche safety.
Someone else committed to snow safety is Howard ‘Howie’ Cooper, who runs the Charlotte Pass ski patrol and is responsible for the visitors’ safety. He’s lived and worked on the slopes for more than 35 years. It’s his job to look for potential hazards as well as help out anyone in trouble.
These alps are truly “peak Australia”.
