Large avalanche hits Mount Hotham backcountry

A large avalanche occurred in the backcountry of Mount Hotham this morning, after a significant dumping of snow for the Victorian Alpine region.

“No one was injured or involved in it, but it was a close call,” the resort’s head of ski patrol Bill Barker said this afternoon.

Mr Barker warned those in remote areas of the mountain to be “very careful”.

It comes after tourists visiting the state’s alps were warned that warmer weather, coupled with strong winds, could trigger potentially disastrous avalanches.

Nearly 10cm of fresh snow fell on Mt Hotham overnight, after more than half a metre of falls were recorded on the weekend amid blizzard conditions.

At Falls Creek, 15cm of snow capped the mountains, bringing the total snow depth to an impressive 166cm.

"The snow is fantastic for visitors, but they have to make sure they are safe," Jo Prothero of Falls Creek Resort Management said.

Ms Prothero said pedestrians can avoid dangerous snow falling from the rooftops in the village by sticking to marked entrances and exits and making sure children don't play under eaves.

Mount Buller snow reporter Rhylla Morgan says some Australian visitors won't be used to the conditions, which feel almost European or Canadian.

"The alps are making news for a good reason, but when you get the amount of snow we all have had, it's important that we make people aware of the risks," Ms Morgan said.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) is forecasting more snow for areas above 1100 metres tonight.

Emergency services have warned anyone visiting the Australian alps during the next few days to:

- Avoid the back country and only ski or board in patrolled areas

- Only drive on main roads that aren't closed

- Fit snow chains to your vehicle when necessary