The Snowy Mountains have an alpine climate: cold, snowy winters and mild summers, with sudden changes in weather at any time of year.
Season by season
Spring (September–November)
Late snow and spring skiing in September, then melt and wet weather. Some roads and walks stay closed.
Summer (December–February)
Mild days, wildflowers and the best walking. Warm by the lakes.
Autumn (March–May)
Crisp days, autumn colour around Jindabyne and quiet trails.
Winter (June–August)
Ski season, with the busiest weekends and school holidays.
Month by month
| Month | Avg high / low | Wet days | Daylight | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21° / 7°C | ≈10 | ≈14.2 h | Best |
| February | 21° / 7°C | ≈9 | ≈13.4 h | Best |
| March | 18° / 4°C | ≈10 | ≈12.3 h | Best |
| April | 13° / 1°C | ≈10 | ≈11.2 h | Good |
| May | 9° / -1°C | ≈12 | ≈10.3 h | Quiet & cheap |
| June | 5° / -3°C | ≈13 | ≈9.9 h | Peak season |
| July | 4° / -4°C | ≈15 | ≈10.1 h | Peak season |
| August | 5° / -4°C | ≈15 | ≈10.8 h | Peak season |
| September | 8° / -2°C | ≈14 | ≈11.8 h | Good |
| October | 12° / 0°C | ≈13 | ≈12.9 h | Quiet & cheap |
| November | 15° / 3°C | ≈12 | ≈13.8 h | Good |
| December | 19° / 5°C | ≈10 | ≈14.4 h | Best |
Approximate long-term averages, rounded; daylight is the approximate time between sunrise and sunset mid-month (Sydney’s latitude). Seasons are reversed from the northern hemisphere: summer is December to February.
Festivals & events
- June long weekend Official start of the ski season.
- June–early October Ski and snowboard season, depending on snow.
- December–February Summer walking season and alpine wildflowers.
Crowds & booking ahead
Winter weekends and the July school holidays are very busy, with high prices. Book early. Summer is quieter, and midweek in winter is noticeably calmer.
