Yes, many of us are getting a bit stir crazy after weeks at home.

And every snow addict in the country is frothing to get up to the mountains after that incredible dump of powder.

We’re all seeing those videos and pics of our mates getting first tracks.

It’s hard to stay the course and stay at home.

But our actions now will have a real impact on government decisions about whether to allow resorts to open this winter.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a test of our willingness to place the community above our personal needs. Leaving aside the great toilet paper stockpiling debacle, the Australian community has generally been spectacular in the level of civic mindedness that we have shown. Most people are doing the right thing, avoiding non essential travel among the other rules.

So it’s pretty disappointing to hear that ‘more than 300 cars’ went through the gate to Perisher resort over the weekend. There is discord between mountain town residents and outsiders who aren’t respecting the rules. All of this plays into a situation where state governments, who are being very cautious in their decision making – eg look at Victoria’s decision to keep schools closed – are looking for a reason to make a cautious decision on the ski season.

Yes, you could travel safely to the mountains and not interact with people. But that’s not the point. We have a set of rules which are intended to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. If we start to think the rules don’t apply to us, then it all falls over. Please hang in there, do the right thing, and hopefully we will all get out into the snow – in resort or out in the hills – this winter.