[objective] To master the spatial pattern and trends of snow disaster in Western Sichuan Plateau so as to provide desision basis for management department of disaster.[Methods] By using methods of linear regression, inverse distance weighted spatial interpolation, natural disaster risk index method, the spatial-temporal characteristics and risk of snow disaster were analyzed based on daily temperature and rainfall data of 16 meteorological stations from 1961 to 2012 in Western Sichuan Plateau.[Results] (1) The days of heavy snow and blizzard increased over the last 52 years in Western Sichuan Plateau, the change rates were 0.93 d/10 a and 0.51 d/10 a respectively. (2) The snow disaster had a distinct spatial difference in Western Sichuan Plateau, the days of snow disaster were more in north of Western Sichuan Plateau, and less in south of Western Sichuan Plateau. (3) Shiqu, Seda, Ganzi, Hongyuan, Ruoergai, and Kangding had the highest risk of snow disaster, Songpan and Litang were moderate-risk areas, Dege, XiaoJin, Ma'erkan, Xinlong, Daofu, Batang, Daocheng and Jiulong were low-risk areas.[Conclusion] The frequency and extent of snow disaster were increasing in Western Sichuan Plateau, it should take more effective measures to strengthen the prevention and management of snow disaster.