Police have deployed extra resources into the Jindabyne area for the Snowtunes festival, which is expected to attract around 10,000 people to the open air sound stage on the picturesque shores of the town's lake.
It is the fifth year of the festival and will feature headline acts such as The Presets, The Rubens and Vera Blue.
Securing the The Presets as the headline act for Snowtunes is regarded as a significant coup for the organisers as the Australian band has played some of the largest and most prestigious music festivals in the world including Glastonbury, Coachella, and Splendour In The Grass.
The festival will also stage Rail Jam, one of Australia's largest off-mountain skiing and snowboarding competitions.
Organisers have trucked in 270 cubic metres of snow and built four rail features for the event, which will feature 40 of Australia's best rail riders competing for for $20,000 in prize money.
Police maintained a highly visible presence in the area as the crowds rolled in on Friday.
The Commander of the Monaro police district, Superintendent Paul Condon, said district, state and regional resources will be used in a police operation which will encompass rural road safety, drug supply and use, anti-social behaviour and licensing issues.
"The command team has been working closely with the organisers to ensure the event is held in the safest possible environment," Superintendent Condon said.
"Our goal, which is shared by the organisers, is for every person attending to enjoy the event and have a safe time while in our district."
He said that "numerous methods" such as covert and high visibility police operations are used to "proactively target individuals and groups who are involved in illegal drug supply".
"Whenever we see in increase in population, we see an increase in anti-social behaviour - including drug use - and we will continue to combat this behaviour".
The NSW alpine region has faced a heavy police focus previously due to concerns raised about illicit drug use by visitors to the area.
Over two days in mid-August, NSW police conducted Operation Azure which patrolled 13 licensed premises in Jindabyne, Thredbo and Perisher and searched 60 people.
Court attendance notices were issued to eight people for charges of possess prohibited drug. A further five people were issued with a cannabis caution, three issued with move-on directions and one person issued with a fail to quit notice.
The Mayor of Jindabyne, Councillor John Rooney described Snowtunes as "a huge event for Jindabyne".
"It has become an important part of our regional tourism strategy," he said.
Mr Rooney said the issue of illicit drugs was a direct result of the influx of visitors.
"When you get a lot of people coming down here from Sydney and such places, they bring their issues with them," he said.
