Things to Do in the Snowy Mountains in Summer and Winter

The Snowy Mountains have two visitor seasons, and they feel like different places. From the June long weekend to early October – when the high country sits under snow; and from October to May – when the same slopes open up for walking, riding, lake swimming and trout fishing.

At the centre of it all sits Mt Kosciuszko, the country’s highest peak at 2,228 metres, anchoring a landscape shaped by ice, granite, and snowgum forest.

This guide starts with summer, moves to the things that run all year, then covers winter. It finishes with where to base yourself with Alpine Country Holidays. For custom activities by area, you can discover more things to do in Jindabyne, Lake Crackenback or Thredbo Village.

Snowy Mountains Summer vs Winter

The Snowy Mountains are open all year, but what you can do depends on which side of the October long weekend you arrive. The table below uses the park entry fees listed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in 2026.

Kosciuszko Road beyond Perisher to Charlotte Pass is open to cars only outside winter. Thredbo’s alpine hiking season with chairlift access runs from 21 November 2026 to 25 April 2027. Alpine weather turns fast in any month and snow can fall on the Main Range in summer, so carry layers, water and sun protection.

For a month-by-month view, see our guide to the best time to visit the Snowy Mountains, and check current Kosciuszko National Park entry fees before you drive in.

Things to Do in the Snowy Mountains in Summer

Summer in the Snowy Mountains means walking to the highest point in Australia, riding beside the Thredbo River and swimming in Lake Jindabyne. Once the snow goes, the high country turns to alpine meadow and open track, and the lake becomes the centre of town life. The activities below are run by third parties who set their own prices, hours and age limits, so check with each operator before you go.

Walk to the Summit of Mount Kosciuszko

The walk to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko is the best-known summer activity in the Snowy Mountains, and there are three ways to do it. Choose by fitness and by how much of the day you want to spend on your feet.

• From Thredbo: Ride the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift, then walk 13 km return on the raised walkway. Allow about 4 to 5 hours.
• From Charlotte Pass, Summit walk: 18.6 km return along the old summit road.
• From Charlotte Pass, Main Range walk: A 22 km loop past glacial lakes. This is a full day for experienced walkers.

Chairlift access from Thredbo runs for the alpine hiking season, 21 November 2026 to 25 April 2027. Wildflowers cover the slopes in early summer with peak months ranging from late-December to late-January. Walkers with more time can take on the Snowies Alpine Walk, a 56 km route walked over four days.

Check NPWS alerts on the Mount Kosciuszko Summit walk page, start early and pack warm layers even on a clear morning. For shorter options, see our guide to more walks near Jindabyne.

Ride the Thredbo Valley Track and Thredbo Mountain Bike Park

The Snowy Mountains offer two different kinds of riding in summer: a riverside trail that suits most riders, and lift-accessed gravity trails for confident ones.

The Thredbo Valley Track runs 37.3 km one way from Thredbo village to the Thredbo River picnic area, and NPWS lists its season as October to June. The upper section from Thredbo to Bullocks Flat is 16.7 km and crosses the river on suspension bridges. You will need a car shuffle or a transfer unless you plan to ride back.

• With younger kids: Thredbo Diggings to Bullocks Flat is 2.6 km one way.
• For gentle laps: The resort trails are covered in our guide to Lake Crackenback activities.

Thredbo Mountain Bike Park has more than 40 km of lift-accessed trails. Thredbo has announced three new trails for 2026/27, including Mild Thing, a beginner trail on Friday Flat, and Cruise Control, a jumps line from Merritts. Jindabyne’s own trail network keeps growing too. Our guide to mountain biking around Jindabyne covers it.

Swim, Paddle and Picnic at Lake Jindabyne

Lake Jindabyne is the easiest summer day in the Snowy Mountains: a swim, a paddle and a picnic without driving into the national park. The swimming spots locals use are the Claypits, Hatchery Bay and Rushes Bay on the eastern shore. The water is most comfortable from late summer to early March.

Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards can be hired in town. The lakeside walking and cycling path runs several kilometres around the lake edge and works as an easy half-day activity on a rest day between bigger outings.

This is an alpine lake fed by snowmelt rivers. The water stays cool all summer and the wind can pick up in the afternoon, so keep an eye on conditions if you are paddling.

Our guide to things to do at Lake Jindabyne has more detail.

Fish for Trout in the Rivers and Lakes

Trout fishing is one of the main reasons people come to the Snowy Mountains outside ski season. Rivers and streams reopen for trout on the October long weekend and close after the June long weekend, while Lake Jindabyne and Lake Eucumbene can be fished all year.

Anyone fishing in NSW fresh water needs a current NSW recreational fishing licence, and bag and size limits apply. Our Jindabyne fishing guide covers the spots, seasons and rules in full.

See the High Country on Horseback

Guided horse rides run through the Thredbo Valley and around Jindabyne in the warmer months, from one-hour rides for beginners to longer trail rides across open high country. It is a slow way to see river flats and snow gum country that you would otherwise drive past.

Rides are run by third-party operators with their own age, weight and experience limits, so book ahead and ask when you call. Start with our page on horse riding in Jindabyne.

Drive to Charlotte Pass Lookout

Charlotte Pass lookout is the easiest way to see the Main Range without a long walk, and it is a summer-only drive. Kosciuszko Road is closed between Perisher and Charlotte Pass from the June long weekend to the October long weekend.

The road is sealed to its end. From there, a step-free ramp leads to the Charlotte Pass lookout platform, with direct sightlines toward Mt Kosciuszko and the Main Range. The short Snow Gums Boardwalk starts nearby and suits mixed-ability groups.

Charlotte Pass is also the trailhead for the Summit and Main Range walks described above. For other routes, see our guide to scenic drives from Jindabyne.

Year-Round Things to Do in the Snowy Mountains

Some of the best things to do in the Snowy Mountains do not depend on the season. Caves, a mountain coaster, a distillery, wildlife and the story of the Snowy Scheme all work in January or July.

Thredbo Alpine Coaster and Scenic Lift Rides

The Thredbo Alpine Coaster is a 1.5-kilometre tracked ride that descends through tunnels, over bridges, and around banked curves. It operates year-round and puts riders in control of their own speed. It runs separately from the ski lifts and suits the full age range: children, adults, and groups.

Thredbo lists the Alpine Coaster as open every day from 09:00 to 16:30, with hours subject to change.

Thredbo holds the only alpine gondola in Australia. The Merritts Gondola lifts guests from the village base to the Cruiser mid-mountain area in minutes. In summer the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift also runs for walkers and sightseers.

Yarrangobilly Caves and Thermal Pool

Yarrangobilly Caves sit within Kosciuszko National Park along the Snowy Mountains Highway, north of Jindabyne.

The cave system holds limestone formations developed over millions of years (stalactites, shawls, and columns), accessible through guided tours that run year-round.

The thermal pool adjacent to the caves sits at approximately 27°C, spring-fed and set within a natural bush clearing. It is warm rather than hot. NPWS charges $4 per vehicle per day at Yarrangobilly unless you have already paid park entry. Pair it with a cave tour for a half-day excursion that works well on a rest day.

Wildbrumby Distillery and Eagles Nest

Wildbrumby Distillery occupies a timber building on the Alpine Way between Jindabyne and Thredbo. It produces schnapps and gin using local botanicals and fruit, and operates a café and sculpture garden alongside the tasting room. It sits on the way to Thredbo, so it pairs with an Alpine Way drive.

Eagles Nest at Thredbo sits at the top of the Crackenback Superchair and operates as Australia’s highest restaurant. You reach it on the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift, and the ride up is half the experience. Book in advance, because sittings during peak season fill weeks out.

Brumbies, Kangaroos and Alpine Wildlife

The wild brumbies of the Snowy Mountains carry a weight of Australian cultural history. Descended from pastoral and military horses released or lost across the high country over more than a century, they move in mobs across open plains and subalpine grasslands.

Long Plains Road near Yarrangobilly is among the most reliable locations to observe large groups, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon.

Island Bend, Guthega, and the quieter road corridors around the park also produce regular sightings of eastern grey kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats at the edge of snow gum country.

Observe them from a distance and do not approach, feed, or attempt to interact with them. Watching a mob cross an open plain at first light needs nothing added.

Visitor Centres, Cooma and Dalgety

The Snowy Region Visitor Centre in Jindabyne is the practical starting point for any trip into Kosciuszko National Park. Staff provide current trail conditions, safety updates, park pass information, and local knowledge.

The Thredbo Alpine Museum, located within the resort village, documents the history of Australian snow sports.It is free to enter and suits a wide age range.

Cooma, 65 kilometres north of Jindabyne, served as the headquarters for the Snowy Mountains Scheme. The Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme, constructed between 1949 and 1974, redirected water through 145 kilometres of tunnels and 80 kilometres of aqueducts, employing over 100,000 workers from more than 30 countries. The Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre in Cooma tells this story.

Dalgety, south of Jindabyne along the Snowy River, is a quieter stop: a historic pastoral town with a 19th-century bridge and a riverside setting. Both towns work well as half-day excursions from a Jindabyne base.

The Alpine Way and Snowy Mountains Highway

The Kosciuszko Alpine Way connects Jindabyne to Thredbo and continues through to Khancoban and the Murray River valley. The Snowy Mountains Highway links Adaminaby, Kiandra, Tumut, and the northern ranges. Both routes pass historic stockmen’s huts, NPWS trailheads, and viewpoints that reward an unhurried pace. Our guide to scenic drives maps out day trips on both.

Things to Do in the Snowy Mountains in Winter

Winter in the Snowy Mountains runs from the June long weekend to the October long weekend, with four ski resorts, snow play areas for non-skiers and a full evening programme at Thredbo. Our winter activities page and winter snow guide go deeper on each resort.

When Is Snow Season?

The NSW ski season opens on the June long weekend (King’s Birthday) and closes on the October long weekend.

In practice, the most consistent snow window runs from mid-July through August, when cold fronts push reliable falls across the higher elevations and groomed runs reach full depth. July aligns with NSW school holidays and carries the highest visitor numbers. August tends to offer comparable snow depth with marginally less congestion. 

Expect temperatures at resort altitude to sit between -5°C and 5°C during the day, dropping sharply at night. Jindabyne, at around 900 metres, sits lower than the resorts and sees occasional snow dustings rather than settled base.

Snow conditions vary year to year. Snowmaking infrastructure at both Perisher and Thredbo extends the reliable season, covering key runs when natural snowfall is lean.

Checking resort snow reports and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) alerts before you travel is standard practice, not optional.

Skiing and Snowboarding at Perisher, Thredbo, Selwyn and Charlotte Pass

Perisher is the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere. Four linked resort areas (Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow, and Guthega) connect across 47 lifts and terrain ranging from wide beginner runs to challenging steeps. The Skitube from Bullocks Flat, near Jindabyne, provides direct access without driving into the resort.

Thredbo offers the longest vertical drop of any Australian resort at 672 metres. Its longest run is quoted at 5.9 kilometres. The village itself carries a European character: tight laneways, après bars, restaurants, and an evening programme that continues well after the lifts close.

Selwyn operates as a compact, value-focused resort well suited to short beginner days and family snow play. Charlotte Pass is reached in winter only by oversnow transport from Perisher, and offers uncrowded terrain at high altitude. 

 

Both Perisher and Thredbo run snowsports schools with structured beginner and development programmes. Group lessons run daily through the season, and private instruction is available across all levels. Thredbo’s Friday Flat is a dedicated beginner area with gentle terrain, set apart from main resort traffic.

For adults on a first-time visit, a weekend with two morning group lessons is a realistic introduction to the sport. Over five to seven days, the same beginner can expect to access blue (intermediate) terrain with confidence.

Tobogganing and Snow Play for Non-Skiers

Not every winter visitor needs to ski. Selwyn’s dedicated toboggan park centres on a 150-metre snow carpet served by a handle tow for repeat laps. It is built for families who want time on snow without the equipment cost or learning curve of skiing.

Around the resorts, snow play is available near designated carparks and open slopes. Snowmen, snowball fights, and gentle toboggan slopes are accessible without paying for lift access. Guided snow-play tours, available through resort activities desks, offer a structured, safety-conscious option for visitors unfamiliar with mountain conditions. They are particularly useful for groups travelling with young children. 

For more family ideas, see things to do in Jindabyne with kids.

Thredbo After Dark: Night Skiing, Flare Run and Fireworks

Perisher and Thredbo both operate night skiing sessions during peak season, typically mid-July through August. Floodlit runs extend the ski day past sunset, with a quieter mountain and shorter lift queues on some evenings.

Thredbo’s Saturday night Flare Run and Fireworks Spectacular ranks among the most distinctive events on the Australian alpine calendar. Ski instructors descend Supertrail carrying flaming flares after dark, followed by a fireworks display over the village. The show depends on the weather, so check Thredbo’s events calendar for confirmed dates.

By day, strong skiers can chase two Thredbo rituals. The “Big 5” at Thredbo refers to the resort’s five signature long runs, including Supertrail and High Noon. At the top of Karels T-bar, the highest lifted point in the resort, sits the Community Bell at 2,037 metres. Ringing it is a ritual: part celebration, part acknowledgement of where you are in the landscape.

Merritts Mountain House on the mid-mountain deck runs DJ sets, food service, and drinks through the afternoon and early evening. The Alpine Bar and other village venues carry the evening forward with live music on weekends. Perisher’s après scene concentrates around the resort base, with options across all four linked areas depending on where you finish your day on the mountain. 

Snowcat dinners transport guests to on-mountain restaurants by tracked snow vehicle after the lifts close. Sunrise tours and backcountry experiences cater to those wanting the mountain in its most unguarded form: pre-dawn starts, guided traverses, and the kind of silence the peak-hour slopes never offer. These experiences book out early.

Guests staying at an Alpine Country Holidays property in Thredbo Valley or Crackenback are close enough to make early starts and late finishes practical.

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

Perisher maintains one of Australia’s most developed cross-country networks. Groomed loops depart from the Nordic Shelter in Perisher Valley, with routes ranging from flat, short circuits suited to beginners through to longer trails covering backcountry terrain.

Selwyn offers access to cross-country and snowshoe trails from the Three Mile Dam area, providing a quieter, less-trafficked alternative to the larger resorts.

Snowshoeing requires no prior skill and opens the snowgum forest and winter meadows to anyone with reasonable fitness. The Rock Creek Snowshoe Track near Perisher is a well-maintained, designated route that moves through subalpine vegetation with clear trail markers.

Guided tours from Thredbo extend this further, incorporating commentary on local ecology, snowgum biology, and the indigenous heritage of the Monaro and high country.

For families travelling with non-skiing adults or older children, a half-day guided snowshoe walk is among the most accessible winter activities available. Short maintained tracks near resort villages offer accessible winter walking when the weather holds. 

Winter Driving and Snow Chains

Winter driving on these roads carries real requirements.

• Snow chains are compulsory on designated road sections for two-wheel-drive vehicles when conditions demand it.
• Road closures occur after heavy snowfall, sometimes without much notice.
• Check Live Traffic NSW at livetraffic.com and NPWS alerts before any mountain drive.

Our winter driving guide explains where chains are required and how to fit them.

Where to Stay in the Snowy Mountains

Jindabyne is the most practical base in the Snowy Mountains in either season, with Lake Crackenback and Thredbo Village the better choice for trips built around one activity. Jindabyne sits at the edge of Lake Jindabyne with direct access to Kosciuszko Road and is roughly 35 minutes from Perisher and 25 minutes from Thredbo. The Bullocks Flat Skitube terminal is about 20 minutes away.

Thredbo Village operates as an alpine resort with ski-in, ski-out accommodation and a pedestrian village at the base of the lifts. Staying in the village cuts out the daily drive. Perisher offers on-snow lodging across its four linked resort areas. 

Choose Jindabyne for lake access and town services, Lake Crackenback for the Thredbo Valley Track, and Thredbo Village for chairlift walks and the bike park. Alpine Country Holidays manages homes in Jindabyne, East Jindabyne and Tyrolean Village, and Lake Crackenback and Thredbo.

LakeShore has the lake across the road, and Whistler 3 has secure bike storage in the garage. Guest limits are fixed at every property. Pets are not permitted in Kosciuszko National Park, which includes Thredbo Village, so travellers with a dog should look at our dog friendly stays in Jindabyne.

Conclusion

The Snowy Mountains reward a visit in either season. Summer brings the Kosciuszko summit walk, the Thredbo Valley Track and long days on Lake Jindabyne. Winter brings four ski resorts and Thredbo’s Saturday fireworks. The caves, the coaster and the brumbies are there all year. Whatever the month, check the weather and NPWS alerts before you set out.

A base in Jindabyne, Lake Crackenback or Thredbo Village keeps everything on this list within a short drive. Browse available properties and book direct for the best rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to do in the Snowy Mountains in summer?

Summer in the Snowy Mountains is for walking, riding and time on the water. Walk to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko, ride the 37.3 km Thredbo Valley Track or the Thredbo Mountain Bike Park, swim and paddle at Lake Jindabyne, fish for trout and ride horses through the high country. Yarrangobilly Caves and the Thredbo Alpine Coaster are open as well.

What is there to do in Thredbo in summer?

Thredbo in summer centres on the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift, which carries walkers up to the summit track during the alpine hiking season from 21 November 2026 to 25 April 2027. The village also has the Thredbo Mountain Bike Park, the year-round Alpine Coaster, the Thredbo Leisure Centre with its indoor pool, and the Thredbo Valley Track along the Thredbo River.

Can you swim in Lake Jindabyne?

Yes, you can swim in Lake Jindabyne. The swimming spots locals use are the Claypits, Hatchery Bay and Rushes Bay on the eastern shore. The water is most comfortable from late summer to early March. It is an alpine lake, so it stays cool even on hot days, and the wind can pick up in the afternoon.

Is the Snowy Mountains good for non-skiers in winter?

Yes. Non-skiers have access to tobogganing at Selwyn, guided snowshoe walks, the Thredbo Alpine Coaster, the Merritts Gondola, Yarrangobilly Caves and thermal pool, scenic drives along the Alpine Way and Snowy Mountains Highway, lake walks at Jindabyne, wildlife watching, distillery visits, and dining across Thredbo and Jindabyne.

How many days do I need in the Snowy Mountains?

Three to four days covers a solid ski introduction and one or two off-slope activities. Five to seven days allows a fuller experience: multiple resorts, day trips, and the slower pace that reveals what the region holds beyond the ski fields. In summer, three days is enough for a summit walk, a ride on the Thredbo Valley Track and a day at Lake Jindabyne.