Anyone thinking about living in Mount Selwyn should know one thing first: this is a ski resort, not a town. It sits at the northern end of the Snowy Mountains, and the nearest places with everyday services are the towns around it.
We have put together what we know about its setting, history, weather and neighbours. For a wider look, start with our Mount Selwyn destination guide.
Living in Mount Selwyn: where it sits
Selwyn Snow Resort, formerly Selwyn Snowfields, lies in the most northern part of the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. It is within the Snowy Monaro Regional Council area and Kosciuszko National Park. It is near the town of Adaminaby and close to Cabramurra, the highest town in Australia.
It is the most northerly of Australia's ski resorts. The base elevation is 1,492 metres and the top is 1,614 metres AHD. That is a modest altitude by alpine standards, and it shapes both the snow and the feel of the place.
The resort is owned by Blyton Group, which also owns Charlotte Pass Snow Resort. We describe it as the smallest, cheapest and most family-focused ski resort in the state, and we reckon that is a fair summary.
A short history
Skiing in Australia began around 1861 at the Kiandra skifields, and Selwyn traces its origins to them. Selwyn's more reliable snow cover led to a portable rope tow on what is now the Township Run in 1966.
In 1978 the remaining Kiandra ski facilities were transferred to Selwyn. They included Australia's first T-Bar, which had been installed at Kiandra in 1957. In 2009 a triple chairlift replaced the duplex T-Bars on the Township Run. In 2007 some terrain park features had been added to the blue run known as Township.
The 2020 bushfires and the reopening
In January 2020 bushfires burnt through the resort. All of the resort's buildings were reportedly destroyed or severely damaged. The resort had been evacuated beforehand, so no loss of life was reported.
Selwyn reopened on 10 June 2023. In November 2024 the resort announced a new General Manager, Abigail Spackman, who grew up skiing at Selwyn.
Population and services
There is no population figure we can honestly give for Mount Selwyn, because it is a snow resort rather than a residential suburb. There is also no public accommodation at the resort itself.
Winter access is by the Snowy Mountains Highway, from Talbingo in the west or Adaminaby in the east. Cabramurra, nearby, has no guest accommodation and is closed to the public following the 2019-2020 bushfires.
For the practical side of a stay, the resort's services are best understood through its lifts and terrain. In 2023 it had 8 lifts: two chair lifts, two t-bars, two carpets, a platter and a Poma. It also advertises 45 kilometres of marked cross country trails.
Climate by the month
The figures below are 1991-2020 averages for the Mount Selwyn area. July and August are the coldest months, with average minimums of about -0.5 degrees. January is the warmest, with an average maximum of 24.2 degrees.
| Month | Max (C) | Min (C) | Rain (mm) | Rain days | Sunny days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24.2 | 10.9 | 69.8 | 9.8 | 28.7 |
| February | 23.4 | 10.6 | 73.9 | 9.8 | 25.9 |
| March | 20.5 | 8.4 | 63.5 | 8.2 | 28.5 |
| April | 15.9 | 5.2 | 47.1 | 7.5 | 27.1 |
| May | 11.3 | 2.4 | 48.9 | 8.4 | 27.1 |
| June | 7.8 | 0.6 | 78.1 | 11.5 | 23.4 |
| July | 6.9 | -0.5 | 64.8 | 12.1 | 25.1 |
| August | 8.1 | -0.5 | 71.7 | 12.3 | 25.7 |
| September | 11.6 | 1.4 | 70.6 | 10.9 | 25.9 |
| October | 15.3 | 3.7 | 74.2 | 10.7 | 27.0 |
| November | 18.3 | 6.4 | 86.6 | 11.8 | 26.5 |
| December | 21.2 | 8.6 | 77.3 | 9.8 | 27.7 |
November is the wettest month at about 87 mm. April is the driest at about 47 mm.
Snow, terrain and what it means for families
A relatively low altitude means natural snow cover can be patchy in early June and late September. The resort has built extensive snowmaking to cope, including the Lenko System and the newer TechnoAlpin TT10 system, which makes snow at two degrees warmer than the previous one. Water comes from nearby Three Mile Dam, and thirty-five hectares are covered by snowmaking.
Gentle, grassy terrain lets the resort open runs on thinner cover than higher, rockier resorts further south. Of the terrain, 88% suits beginners and intermediates. The Racecourse Run is steeper for advanced skiers and boarders, and the longest run is the 800 metre Long Arm Run.
Families can read more on our Mount Selwyn holiday with kids page, and the Mount Selwyn skiing page covers the slopes.
Where people stay nearby
The closest major tourist accommodation is the holiday village of Providence Portal, on the upper reaches of Lake Eucumbene between Adaminaby and Kiandra. Many visitors also stay at Adaminaby, Talbingo and Cooma.
At Kiandra, Wolgal Hut reopened in 2012 for public accommodation. The ski and fishing hut was built in the 1960s near the foot of the original Kiandra ski slopes. It is one of four remaining historic buildings of the abandoned gold rush town that have been restored.
Browse Mount Selwyn accommodation for options, and see official state information at Visit NSW. Background on the resort is on Wikipedia.
Frequently asked questions
Can you stay at Selwyn Snow Resort?
No. There is no public accommodation at the resort. The closest major tourist accommodation is Providence Portal, and many visitors stay at Adaminaby, Talbingo or Cooma.
How cold does Mount Selwyn get?
July and August have average minimums of about -0.5 degrees and maximums of 6.9 and 8.1 degrees. January maximums average 24.2 degrees.
Was the resort affected by the 2020 bushfires?
Yes. Bushfires in January 2020 burnt through the resort and destroyed or severely damaged all of its buildings. It reopened on 10 June 2023.
