The Snowy Mountains region covers a wide area of the highest mountain ranges in Australia, as well as the open plains of the Monaro and the foothills of the Snowy Mountains. This is grazing and skiing country and produces fine wools, lamb and stud cattle, and sheep. Its main attraction to the visitor is the high country (containing Mount Kosciusko, Australia's highest peak), where Australia's premier ski fields are. Although Australia's snow season is quite short by international standards (May to September usually), the facilities available in the main centres of Thredbo, Perisher, Smiggins, and Guthega cater for all tastes and levels of experience. Cooma is the main commercial and business centre for the region, while Jindabyne is the gateway to the snowfields and the numerous Ski Resorts which offer Australia's best snowfield facilities.

Outside the ski season, the mountains can provide their own special attraction. In spring, the alpine wildflowers transform the mountains into a multi coloured patchwork, while in summer, the region can provide some relief from the occasional extremes of an Australian beach season.

Another notable attraction of the region are the lakes, dams, and hydro power stations created as part of the Snowy River Hydro Electric project developed during the 1950's - Australia's largest engineering works to date.

View event guide for Snowy Mountains