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 Summer Months | Winter Months
Visit the Snowy Mountains winter season
The Snowy Mountain's region is the winter playground of New South Wales. The Snowy Mountains are Australia's only ski-fields and stretch across the NSW and Victorian border. Most of the region is in the Snowy Mountains National Park and contains Mt Kosciuszko, the country's highest mainland peak.
The Snowy Mountains region is approximately five hours by car south from Sydney, eight hours north from Melbourne and just over an hour south from Canberra. Public transport is also available, with coach, hire car and air services.
Not only is the Snow Mountains region the winter playground for New South Wales, it can be said that the Snowy hosts more than its fair share of adventure. Some activities you can participate in include – Snow skiing, abseiling, climbing and caving, bushwalking, cycling, mountain biking and motorcycling, fishing, horse riding, white water rafting and other water sports.
Winter sports in the Snowy Mountains
 Snow Skiing & Snow Boarding: The Snowy Mountains ski season runs from June to October although the best time for snow seems to be from July to September. You can never guarantee the weather, but don’t worry the ski resorts have purchased snow making equipment so visitors won’t be disappointed. Whether you enjoy skiing or snowboarding the resorts offer both, as well as equipment hire.
The main skiing resorts are Perisher/Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes and Thredbo, with several smaller resorts at Charlotte Pass, Guthega and Mt Selwyn. A range of skiing is available for beginner to advanced skiers.
Charlotte Pass is a small and isolated resort at the base of MT Kosciuszko, which offers a great day pass including transport, lift pass and lunch. For beginners and families, Mt. Selwyn is a good place to go.
 Cross Country Skiing: The Snowy Mountains provide us with one of the best cross country ski locations in the world. This unique rolling, partially glaciated landscape, with its groves of twisted snowgums and the occasional stockman’s hut, has become a special place in the hearts of many an outdoors person. The clean, cool mountain air and beautiful untracked alpine scenery entices many new comers to the sport of cross country skiing.
The groomed trails close to the road at Perisher and Smiggin Holes provide the safest starting point for first timers. Beyond these sheltered areas lies the expanse of steeper wilderness terrain. These areas suit wilderness skiers and telemarkers who look for steep, remote, untracked snow. Snow can fall at any time of the year, but is generally skiable from June through November.
If you are planning to stay out overnight, pick up a copy of the Australian Alps National Parks ‘Snow Camping Code’ from any of the region’s visitors centres.
 There are a range of cross country trails which are very popular to explore, including Grey Mare Range, Kiandra to Kosciuszko and Thredbo or Charlotte Pass to MT Kosciuszko. Perisher Valley also hosts cross country racing.
Mountaineering: Mountaineering is the art of climbing snow, ice and rock peaks, negotiating the harsh climatic conditions and dealing with the effects of altitude. The skills required include bushwalking, snow camping, gear selection, food planning and preparation, navigation, glacier travel, the use of ropes and technical climbing equipment and teamwork. All of these skills can be learned through experience or through mountaineering training programmes.
The Snowy Mountains of Australia in winter provide excellent conditions for practising or learning the basic skills of mountaineering. The weather conditions in the Main Range are similar to mountain climates anywhere in the world. Suitable for expedition style trips, snow camping and gear-testing.
 Ice Climbing & Snow Shoeing: If you are after something a little different to your normal snow skiing trip, we have two new activities that are growing in popularity. The first of these is ice climbing. Australia’s Snowy Mountains have been responsible for developing many of Australia's finest mountaineers.
On a nice weekend you will encounter novices and experts high up in the Main range, sharing the joys of climbing frozen waterfalls. You can climb for the fun of it, but most ice climbers have higher goals and will readily tell you about their plans for big overseas expeditions. For novices, there is professional instruction available through a small number of specialised climbing schools. The best guides are accredited through the international mountain guide’s association UIAGM.
The ice climbing season spans June to September. Watch the weather charts and Charlotte Pass temperature reports.
For those that can't ski why not try bushwalking in the snow! Seriously, you can walk through the snow using light weight footwear which allows you to walk comfortably in your own shoes in snow conditions, even wearing a pack. Known as snow shoeing, this activity is suitables for all ages as it requires little to no technical ability or special skills other than walking and watching. Snow shoeing offers the opportunity to experience Australia’s snow country without skis.
This information was compiled from resources available from Tourism Snowy Mountains. Please visit their website at www.snowymountains.com.au for a more detailed rundown of this exciting region.
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