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Best time to visit the Snowy Mountains

Hit the slopes during the winter months to experience peak snow.

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Alex Keshen
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Nestled inland between Sydney and Melbourne, the aptly-named Snowy Mountains are where Australians come to play during the winter months.

There are half a dozen ski resorts sitting on both the New South Wales and Victoria sides of the border, including Perisher, Thredbo and Mount Buller.

Best time to visit the Snowy Mountains?

  • Best time to go skiing for peak conditions: July and August
  • Cheapest time to visit: June and October
  • Best time to visit for hiking (and other non-snow sports): December, January and February

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When is the best time to visit the Snowy Mountains for snow sports?

July and August are the coldest months of the year in Australia and offer the best snow conditions in the area’s ski resorts.

Temperatures at the top of resorts like Thredbo, Mount Buller and Charlotte Pass hover at around freezing during these months.

If you're travelling with children, the July school holidays and weekends will likely also offer more activities for them. This will also be the busiest time of the year at the resorts. Accommodation prices will also peak during these weeks due to increased demand.

When is the cheapest time to visit the Snowy Mountains?

For snow, the shoulder months of June and October offer cheaper hotel prices and have the most deals available.

Occasionally, ski resorts will discount lift ticket prices right at the beginning and end of the season, but this can come at a cost. The weather conditions aren't as good for snow during this time of year so you may find limited runs are open or slushy conditions on those that are.

For the overall cheapest time, visit during the spring, summer and autumn months when the ski resorts are closed. There's still plenty to do in the area, including mountain biking and hiking. With less demand for tourists during the summer months, prices for accommodation drop. Plus, you won't be spending as much as summer activities like hiking are much less expensive than purchasing lift passes and equipment hire for skiing or snowboarding.

Full-day Mount Buller day tour w/transfers

Full-day Mount Buller day tour w/transfers from finder.com.au

Enjoy a day at the snow at Mt Buller, including pick-up and drop-off in Melbourne CBD and a guided walk at the Village Circuit Track. For an additional cost, you can also take the Northside Express chairlift for views of the resort from above.

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When is the best time to visit the Snowy Mountains for hiking and other non-snow sports?

For hiking, the summer months from December to February are the optimal time to visist the area. Being higher up, the temperatures tend to be cooler and more comfortable than the rest of Australia. Expect daytime temperatures around the 20-22 degree mark.

If you're planning on horse riding, this is available all year, but if you'd like to experience it with a bit of snow on the ground, go between June and October. If you're doing a multi-day horse trek involving camping, the summer months are the most comfortable for sleeping in a tent.

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