Perisher’s website says tobogganing is “not available” as it “involves inherent risks”. Thredbo had a tiny sled slope and no parking. So they’re gone, resort-wide.

Try and explain that to the kids. Aren’t all snow sports a bit dangerous, they might ask? But you can’t sting a tobogganer $130 for a lift ticket, you might tell them.

Resort management has told tenants the toboggan areas didn’t generate income, so resources will focus on ski slopes.

Last year I took the kids to the snow for the first time and we had a magical time – on toboggans.

Yes, there were risks, crashes and near misses. But the problem is not the sled – it was the entitled attitude many people employ while riding. Like many drivers of cars.

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A commonsense approach to hill etiquette – climb up the sides, not the middle, and watch out for people – would save most crashes from happening. A series of signs and one staff member supervising.

But instead, last year’s Perisher toboggan slope appears to now be “Tube Town” where you can ride tyre tubes down the hill. As long as you pay – it’s $7 for a single slide, which lasts about 20 seconds.

What have we become?

Our ski resorts, already mostly free of the hoi polloi, have certainly become more exclusive, more elitist, and even less accessible for a family with young kids wondering if they can afford a trip to the snow.

Toboggan areas are for those whose kids are too small to ski, who can’t drop $500 on a day’s lift tickets, or who want to pack a lunch and play in the snow.

Remember, these resorts make their millions from a public asset – the Kosciuszko National Park. Which from now on shall be known as a “non income-producing play zone”.