You don’t need to own a pair of skis to fall in love with the Snowy Mountains in winter.
Sure, Australia’s highest peaks become a playground for skiers and snowboarders each year, but there’s another side to the region that deserves just as much attention. Think steaming thermal pools surrounded by snow, long lunches by crackling fireplaces, scenic alpine drives, boutique distilleries and cosy cabins made for slow mornings and laid-back nights.
Whether you’re chasing a romantic weekend away, a family escape or simply an excuse to embrace winter, here’s why the Snowy Mountains should be on your cold-weather hit list.
See the Snow Without Stepping on a Ski Lift
One of the best things about winter in the Snowys is that simply being there feels like an experience.
Swap skis for snowshoes and wander through snow-covered alpine landscapes with a guided tour from K7 Adventures in Thredbo or Wilderness Sports in Perisher. It’s a slower, quieter way to experience the mountains and one that’s surprisingly accessible, even for first-timers.
Travelling with kids? The Thredbo Leisure Centre is an easy crowd-pleaser, complete with a waterslide, inflatable obstacle course and indoor bouldering wall for those days when the weather calls for an indoor adventure.
If you’d rather take in the scenery from above, hop aboard the Merritts Gondola. The ride alone is worth it, gliding over snow gums and alpine terrain before arriving at Merritts Mountain House. Order a rich hot chocolate, settle in by the fire or time your visit for one of the lively après afternoons where DJs keep the atmosphere buzzing long after the last skiers have come down the mountain.
For a little nostalgic fun, head to Perisher’s designated toboggan and snow tubing area at Pipers Ridge. Then balance out the adrenaline with a yoga class at Jai Yoga in Jindabyne or Thredbo, where mountain views and mindful movement make for the perfect reset.
Some of Australia’s Most Beautiful Winter Drives
The journey through the Snowy Mountains is just as memorable as the destination.
The Kosciuszko Alpine Way winds through Cooma, Jindabyne and Thredbo before descending into Khancoban, delivering dramatic alpine scenery around almost every bend. Snow-dusted peaks, winding roads and endless lookouts make it one of New South Wales’ great road trips, particularly during winter.
For something a little different, the Snowy Valleys Way meanders through charming country towns including Gundagai, Tumut, Batlow and Tumbarumba. Along the way you’ll discover orchards, rolling farmland, heritage towns and plenty of delicious options when looking to stop for lunch.
Art lovers should leave time for the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail, where more than 20 large-scale sculptures are dotted throughout the region, adding an unexpected creative element to an already spectacular landscape.
Australia’s Most Magical Winter Swim?
If there’s one experience that feels almost surreal, it’s soaking in the natural thermal pool at Yarrangobilly Caves.
The water sits at a balmy 27 degrees all year round, making it possible to float beneath rising steam while snow blankets the surrounding landscape. It’s the kind of experience that reminds you just how diverse winter in Australia can be.
While you’re there, join a guided tour through the Yarrangobilly Caves, where towering limestone formations and underground chambers have been quietly evolving for millions of years.
Long Lunches, Cosy Cafés and Mountain Comfort Food
Cold weather somehow makes every meal taste better.
In Cooma, The Lott has transformed a century-old wool store into one of the region’s cosiest cafés, serving excellent coffee and hearty dishes beside a crackling fire. Travelling with your four-legged friend? K9 Cafe welcomes both humans and dogs with great coffee, sweet treats and plenty of country hospitality.
Jindabyne is the region’s dining hub and it’s worth arriving hungry. Start the morning at Birchwood for breakfast favourites with a local twist before browsing specialty produce at The Market, part café, part gourmet grocer.
When evening rolls around, Café Darya continues to earn its reputation as one of the Snowys’ most-loved restaurants, serving comforting Persian dishes perfect after a day outdoors. If Italian is calling, Bacco delivers generous bowls of pasta and woodfired pizzas, while Cocina Taqueria brings colourful Mexican share plates to the mountains.
A short drive towards Thredbo, Crackenback Farm pairs refined French farmhouse dining with boutique accommodation, while Cuisine Restaurant at Lake Crackenback Resort showcases regional produce against a backdrop of alpine scenery.
Near Tumut, Nimbo Fork Lodge is another destination worth building an itinerary around. Home to Three Blue Ducks, it’s the kind of place where exceptional local produce, beautiful accommodation and peaceful surroundings all come together effortlessly.
Sip Your Way Around the Snowys
Winter and good drinks have always made the perfect pairing.
Jindabyne Brewing is an easy stop for locally brewed beers and relaxed pub-style dining, while Kosciuszko Brewery pours its beers fresh from the brewery inside the Banjo Paterson Inn.
If boutique wine is more your style, Shut the Gate Winery in nearby Berridale offers intimate tastings and plenty of country charm.
Perhaps the region’s most iconic stop, however, is Wildbrumby Distillery. Set amongst sculpture gardens with sweeping mountain views, it’s the sort of place where a leisurely lunch can easily stretch into an entire afternoon. Sample locally crafted schnapps, gin or vodka before wandering the grounds and soaking up the alpine atmosphere.
Stay Somewhere You’ll Never Want to Leave
Winter is all about finding somewhere cosy enough that you won’t mind cancelling your plans.
Across the Snowy Mountains you’ll find everything from heritage lodges to beautifully designed tiny cabins tucked amongst the bush.
For classic alpine charm, Creel Lodge overlooks Lake Jindabyne, while Yarrangobilly Caves House offers complete digital detox thanks to its wonderfully limited mobile reception.
Design lovers will appreciate The Eastern near Thredbo, while Tinkersfield blends rustic architecture with luxury touches across beautifully restored high-country buildings in Crackenback Valley.
If privacy is what you’re after, stay at Crackenback’s boutique cabins, The Nest and The Crest. They’re surrounded by native bushland and wildlife, making them ideal for couples looking to truly switch off.
History buffs will love Moonbah Hut, where timber cottages, stone fireplaces and exposed beams pay tribute to the region’s pioneering past. For something more contemporary, Mill Cabin delivers modern luxury with a distinctly alpine feel, complete with a Japanese-inspired wood-fired outdoor bath that feels particularly magical on a frosty evening.
Or escape completely at Crafter’s Cabins in the Thredbo Valley, where two beautifully appointed eco cabins offer front-row seats to nature and all the peace that comes with it.
The Consensus
The Snowy Mountains have quietly become one of Australia’s most rewarding winter destinations, and not just for skiers.
It’s a place where your days can begin with mist rising over alpine lakes, continue with a scenic drive through snow-covered peaks, pause for a long lunch beside an open fire and end soaking beneath the stars in a steaming outdoor bath.
Whether you’re chasing adventure, exceptional food, boutique stays or simply a reason to embrace winter instead of escaping it, the Snowys prove that the best cold-weather holidays aren’t always found overseas.
