The results of snow measurements in Rudny Altai during 2020-2022 are analyzed. The influence of meteorological factors on the formation of snow cover in stands of various species composition is considered. Studies have shown that temporal aspect of changes in the characteristics of the snow cover is associated primarily with the weather conditions of a particular season. Precipitation in the winter season of 2020- 2021 fell by 62 mm less than in 2021-2022 and in the bushy area in 2022, moisture reserves were 16% more than in 2021. In a birch stand, this difference was 33%, and in a fir stand - 48%. Against the background of zonal-climatic patterns of snow cover formation, local factors that determine the spatial distribution of snow, its depth, density, dates of formation and melting, and duration of duration of existence have a great influence. In this regard, the differences in the formation of snow cover in various phytocenoses, which are represented in the mountain conditions of the Rudny Altai, are very significant. The data obtained show that the birch and fir forests practically did not differ in the water content in the snow at the end of March 2022 (408 and 410 mm), while in the area with shrubs, water content in the snow was 44-46 mm lower than in the fir forest. The results of field studies will make it possible to scientifically substantiate the basic principles of forest management within the boundaries of catchment areas based on the basin approach. Data received expand existing ideas on the hydrological role of mountain forests; they can be included in a common database and used to build a universal model that reflects the dependence of coefficient water content in snow on a number of trees stand characteristics and climatic conditions that affect the formation of snow cover in the forest.