Sub-alpine pasture soils were transplanted from 1400m to three locations along an altitudinal gradient (600-1400m a.s.l) in the Swiss Jura mountains as a climate simulation. Following observations of potential snow-pack effects on in-situ soil respiration along our hill-slope gradient, we collected topsoils from three transplant sites with variable snow cover to investigate variations in microbial biomass stoichiometry, soil organic matter (SOM) characteristics and substrate induced respiration. We hypothesised that addition of an artificial root-exudate cocktail would simulate the spring input of low molecular weight substrate and stimulate respiration in a pattern according to the snow cover regime. Response to substrate addition was highly variable among sites, with persistent snow-cover dampening the substrate response compared to sites which typically experienced lower snow cover and higher incidence of freeze-thaw cycles. We also present edaphic an microbial biomass data along with density fractionated SOM and explore function-driver relations among the transplanted soils. Our results have implications for the seasonal dynamics of C turnover in soils which will, under future climate scenarios, experience a much reduced snow cover, and more frequent freeze-thaw episodes.