It is generally level, but has numerous dry valleys, sinkholes, about 300 caves and shafts,[2] and cold-air pools with temperatures reaching −32 °C (−26 °F) in the coldest part of year.

[2] The plateau has the following two main peaks:[3] Note that on the Croatian side of the border, 20 km to the south in the Risnjak National Park of Gorski Kotar, there is a mountain also called Snježnik or Snežnik with an altitude of 1,506 m (4,941 ft)[4][5] The vegetation of Snežnik was first studied in the 19th century by Heinrich Freyer, who was later the curator of the Estate Museum of Carniola in Ljubljana.

The animals living there include brown bears, wolves, deer, wild boars, and lynx,[3] as well as a number of bird species such as the Ural owl, corn crake, western capercaillie, hazel grouse, and golden eagle.

The Drago Karolin Lodge (Koča Draga Karolina) is located just below the peak of Big Mount Snežnik towards the border with Croatia.

In The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola, published in 1689, the polymath Johann Weikhard von Valvasor wrote the following about Snežnik:[8] Slivnica is considerably high.