Act I
Scene 1
The Kingdom of Frost
Midnight. The dead kingdom of Frost. The Spirit of the Wood announces the end of winter. Spring returns and the wood comes to life. Spring admits to the birds that she is pining for the warm Sun but here, in the North, jealous Frost and their daughter, the Snow Maiden, are awaiting her. The illegitimate birth of the Snow Maiden angered Yarilo, the sun-god, and there has been discord in the world ever since. Spring is trying to warm the birds when Frost appears. His jealousy and their daughter's unsettled future results in a quarrel between Spring and Frost. The latter predicts that the Snow Maiden will die of love. Her parents decide to leave the Snow Maiden amongst ordinary mortals and to give her into the safekeeping of the childless Bobyl family. They call their daughter to inform her of their decision. The Snow Maiden too begs her parents to let her go into the world.

The voices of the Berendei are heard: they are on their way to the wood to drive away winter. Frost entrusts the Snow Maiden to the Spirit of the Wood, asking the latter to guard his daugh­ter from mischance. Bidding goodbye to the Snow Maiden, he departs. Spring now comes into her own. In the middle of the night, the Berendei come to the dead wood to carry out the rites associated with the expulsion of winter, the seeing-out of Carnival and the summoning of spring. Bobyl and Bobylikha notice the Snow Maiden who suggests that she should become their daughter. The Snow Maiden bids farewell to the wood, the wood answers her, forcing the Berendei to prostrate themselves before her, as a sign of their respect for her magic powers.

Scene 2
The Kingdom of Lehl
The Snow Maiden goes amongst mortals. Lehl helps her in the land of the Berendei, but then he goes off at the invitation of other girls. Puzzled as to why Lehl has left her, the Snow Maiden reaches the conclusion that life amidst mortals is full of real pain. Kupava appears. She tells the Snow Maiden, in the presence of the assembled populace, of her happiness. Misgir arrives in a sailing boat to wed Kupava. But seeing the Snow Maiden, he falls in love with her, and bluntly refuses to go ahead with the marriage ceremony. However, neither his avow­al of love, nor a bribe to Bobyl and Bobylikha help him win the maid. Cursing the Snow Maiden and Misgir, Kupava appeals to the Berendei. The latter call for a court of justice to be held to pass judgement on Misgir and the Snow Maiden.

Act II
Scene 3
The Shrine of Tsar Berendey
Blind psaltery players assure Tsar Berendey that life in his kingdom is peaceful and joyous. The Tsar, sensing that he is not being told the truth, suggests that on the day of Yarilo, the sun-god, all would-be lovers should gather together in the Holy Wood and that, in the morning, they should be declared hus­band and wife. This is an attempt to reinstate love in the hearts of his people.

Kupava arrives and informs the Tsar of all that has befallen her. Berendey orders a court of justice to be held to pronounce judgement on Misgir. Heralds summon the people.

Scene 4
The Court of Justice of Tsar Berendey
At the court of justice, Misgir reneges on his vows to Kupava: he is in love with the Snow Maiden. Berendey condemns Misgir to eternal exile. The Snow Maiden now appears with Bobyl and Bobylikha. Impressed by the Snow Maiden, Tsar Berendey cannot believe that such a beauty can live without love. Misgir and Lehl are summoned to carry out the Tsar's bidding, namely, "to set the Snow Maiden's heart on fire".

Darkness falls. Tsar Berendey throws open the gates to the Holy Wood for his subjects. Accompanied by Lehl and the shamans, the would-be lovers pair off and set out on their jour­ney. As a reward for his faithful service, Tsar Berendey permits Lehl to claim a kiss from any of the girls present. "Take me", the Snow Maiden pleads, but Lehl chooses Kupava. The Snow Maiden remains alone in the palace.

Misgir appears and tries to possess the Snow Maiden by force. But the Spirit of the Wood goes to her defence and leads Misgir off to the Holy Wood.

Scene 5
The Holy Wood
Misgir is wandering about the Holy Wood in search of his beloved. He is drawn by a radiant vision of the Snow Maiden. The Snow Maiden, who has seen the meeting between Lehl and Kupava, is broken-hearted She goes in search of Spring, her moth­er, ready to give up everything, even her life, for the gift of love.

Act III
Scene 6
The Enchanted Lake
The Snow Maiden calls her mother. Spring rises from the waters of the lake. This is the last hour of her rule over the land of the Berendei for, at daybreak, summer takes over. Spring places a garland on her daughter's head. From this moment on, the Snow Maiden loses the gift of eternal life and becomes an ordinary mortal. Bidding farewell to her daughter, Spring warns her of the fatal danger that threatens her, but the Snow Maiden's only wish is to love and be loved.

Scene 7
The Valley of Yarilo, the Sun-god
Meeting Misgir, the Snow Maiden tells him that she Loves him and that this will mean she will die. Misgir, reciprocating her sentiments, refuses to believe that anything can stand in the way of their happiness.

Sun-rise. The Berendei gather together and the wedding cere­monies begin. Emerging into the sunlight, the Snow Maiden tells Tsar Berendey and his people that she loves Misgir. Frost's prediction now comes to pass - the Snow Maiden dies, melting away in the rays of the sun. Misgir throws himself into the lake. With the Snow Maiden's death, the gifts of light love are returned to the Berendei.