Snowy Mountains

Snowy Mountains in Winter

Skiing and Snowboarding

Enjoy fantastic skiing and snowboarding in the magnificent Snowy Mountains of NSW, home to Australia’s highest peak. The adventure wonderland is brimming with fun experiences, from thrilling downhill runs on pristine snow to music festivals, wine tasting, fascinating heritage and much more.

You’ll find a range of slopes and terrain parks for all levels, as well as exhilarating cross-country skiing trails across the snow resorts:

• Perisher, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest snow resort
• Thredbo, home to Australia’s longest ski runs
• Charlotte Pass, the highest snow resort in Australia

Lifts open on the June long weekend for Perisher, Thredbo and Charlotte Pass. The snow season is at its peak in July and August, though you’re likely to have good snow until October, when the lifts close.

The Snowy Mountains offer a wide variety of snow activities, including snow tubing and snowshoeing. You can even enjoy night skiing, or test your skills at one of the many terrain parks with jumps, boxes, rails and pipes.

If you’re a beginner, all resorts offer private and group lessons for all ages. For adventurers, amazing tours such as K7 Adventures, Alpine Access and Snow Safety will take you beyond the resorts into the backcountry of breathtaking natural beauty, from snow-gum forests to glacial lakes and rugged mountain ranges.

There are fun events such as the Cross Country Ski Week in Perisher and exciting competitions like the Thredbo Snow Series and prestigious Perisher Cup. Check out the events calendar for festivals, markets, tours and shows, like the Perisher Peak Festival  or the Snowtunes Music Festival, on the shores of Lake Jindabyne, held over two days in September.

After a day on the slopes, unwind and relax with a massage, hit the shops, or head to the bars for après ski.

If you’re driving to the Snowy Mountains, make sure you’re prepared for driving in the snow before you hit the road. 

Snowy Mountains in Summer

Horse Riding in the Snowy Mountains

Whether you’re an experienced rider or it’s your first time, the high country offers fantastic horse riding. You can take a one hour ride or a full or multi-day trek, where you’ll be camping under the bright stars at night and swapping yarns around a campfire.

Discover horse riding adventures in the Snowy Mountains.

Hiking and Mountain Biking in the Snowy Mountains

After the snow melts, a network of mountain biking and bushwalking tracks is revealed. The best time for exploring the alpine walking tracks is December through March. Two paths wind to the top of Mount Kosciuszko, starting at Thredbo or Charlotte Pass.

You can also explore a UNESCO-protected Biosphere Reserve and stroll through pretty wildflowers and majestic snow gum forests. There are guided walking tours too, including multi-day hiking and camping trips.

Head up the mountain with your bike on the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift and then race back down on the Thredbo Downhill Bike Run. You can hire bikes at Lake Crackenback Resort, which offers a day pass to access its 25km of mountain bike tracks.

Find out more about mountain biking in the Snowy Mountains.

Fishing in the Snowy Mountains

You can fish all year in well-stocked waterways such as Lake Jindabyne and Lake Eucumbene. The Snowy Mountains Trout Festival in spring is open to all recreational anglers. You can admire the 10-metre high Big Trout, one of Australia’s iconic ‘big things’, in Adaminaby.

Try fishing in the Snowy Mountains.

Snowy Mountains Food and Drink

From cellar doors producing cool climate wines, to freshly caught fish from the lakes and rivers, you’ll find a variety of delicious food and wine experiences in the Snowy Mountains. Festivals take place throughout the year and include Batlow Apple Blossom Festival and Tumbarumba Tastebuds in October and the Kosciuszko Craft Beer Festival in Thredbo in February.

Enjoy food and drink experiences in the Snowy Mountains.