Uttarakhand Snowfall Places 2026: 12 Best Places to See Snow

Every winter, a few spells of snowfall turn Uttarakhand's hill towns and meadows white, and searches for snowfall in Uttarakhand shoot up. The catch is that snow does not fall everywhere, and not at the same time. A place like Auli can stay white for three months, while Mussoorie may get snow on only a handful of days. This guide lists every major Uttarakhand snowfall place, how reliable the snow is, when it usually falls, and how to plan the trip.

Quick answer: For the most reliable snow, go to Auli, Chopta or Munsiyari in January. For an easy weekend snow trip from Delhi, try Dhanaulti, Kanatal or Chakrata. Mussoorie and Nainital get snow only on a few days, mostly in January.

Best Snowfall Places in Uttarakhand (At a Glance)

"Reliability" here means how likely you are to find snow on the ground in a normal January, based on altitude and past winters. Snow is weather, not a schedule, so always check the forecast before you leave.

Garhwal: The Snowiest Part of Uttarakhand

1. Auli

Auli is Uttarakhand's ski resort and the most dependable place in the state to see snow. The slopes above Joshimath usually hold snow from late December to early March, with January and February the deepest. You get skiing, snow walks to Gorson Bugyal and a huge view of Nanda Devi. Read our full Auli snowfall guide for timing and temperatures, and the Auli trip cost breakdown for budget.

2. Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila

The meadows around Chopta turn white from late November and stay snowy through February. The Tungnath trek becomes a proper snow trek, and the sunrise from Chandrashila over a snow-covered range is one of the best winter views in India. Heavy snow can block the road near Chopta for a few days at a time. Read our Chopta in winter guide for snow timing, road status and the winter trek, and the Chopta Tungnath trek guide for the route.

3. Harsil & Dayara Bugyal

Harsil, in the Bhagirathi valley below Gangotri, is a quiet apple-orchard village that goes completely white in winter. Nearby, the Dayara Bugyal trek crosses one of the most beautiful alpine meadows in Uttarakhand, turned into a rolling snowfield in winter.

4. Kanatal & Dhanaulti

These two small hill stations sit on the Mussoorie–Chamba road, a few hundred metres higher than Mussoorie, so they get snow more often. Dhanaulti has deodar forests and eco-parks, and Kanatal is known for camps and the Surkanda Devi temple nearby. They are the classic weekend snow trip from Delhi and Dehradun.

5. Chakrata & Lokhandi

Chakrata is a quiet cantonment town north of Dehradun. The real snow is a little higher at Lokhandi, which sits at roughly 2,700 m and is the starting point for the Moila Top meadow walk. Far fewer crowds than Mussoorie.

6. Mussoorie

Mussoorie gets snow on only a few days a year, usually in January. When it does, Lal Tibba, Landour and Char Dukan turn white first. Snow days bring heavy traffic, so start early. All the details, plus nearby spots, are in our Mussoorie snowfall guide.

Kumaon: Snowfall Near Nainital

7. Munsiyari

Munsiyari faces the Panchachuli peaks and is the most reliable snow destination in Kumaon. The Khaliya Top walk above the town becomes a snow trek in winter. It is a long drive, so give it at least four or five days.

8. Mukteshwar, Binsar & Nainital

Mukteshwar and Binsar sit higher than Nainital and get snow more often, usually in January and February. In Nainital itself, the higher points such as Naina Peak and Snow View turn white first. Ramgarh gets light snow only in colder winters. Our Nainital snowfall guide covers all of these.

Snow Treks in Uttarakhand

If you want guaranteed snow underfoot, a winter trek is the surest way, because treks climb well above the snowline:

• Kedarkantha (3,800 m): the most popular winter summit trek, December to April. Full itinerary and cost in our Kedarkantha trek guide.
• Brahmatal: frozen lakes and big views of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti.
• Kuari Pass (winter): a classic route near Auli.
• Nag Tibba: a 2-day weekend snow trek from Dehradun.
• Chandrashila: a short but spectacular summit above Chopta.

When Does It Snow in Uttarakhand?

The broad pattern is the same every year: the highest peaks and shrines get their first snow in October–November, high meadows like Chopta and Auli from late November or December, and hill stations like Mussoorie and Nainital in January. Snow arrives in short spells brought by western disturbances, usually 2–4 days of cloud and snow followed by clear, freezing weather. For a month-by-month breakdown and how to read the forecast, see our Uttarakhand snowfall 2026 calendar. Planning around a particular month? Read Uttarakhand in December or Uttarakhand in January, the snowiest month.

How to Check If It Is Snowing Today

If the temperature at a place is hovering around 0–2°C and the forecast shows precipitation, snow is likely. Our Uttarakhand snowfall today page links to live weather for every snow destination listed here, along with road status, so you can decide the night before whether to go.

Snow Trip Safety Tips

• Drive in daylight. Roads freeze into black ice after sunset, especially on shaded bends.
• Carry snow chains or hire a local 4x4 driver for Auli, Chopta and Dhanaulti after fresh snow.
• Expect closures. Police close roads during heavy snow. Keep a buffer day.
• Keep fuel and cash. ATMs and fuel pumps are few above 2,000 m.
• Dress in layers: thermals, fleece, a waterproof outer jacket, gloves, a woollen cap and waterproof shoes.
• Do not use charcoal heaters in closed rooms. They cause carbon monoxide poisoning every winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Uttarakhand me snowfall kaha hota hai?

Uttarakhand me sabse pakka snowfall Auli, Chopta, Munsiyari, Harsil aur Dayara Bugyal me hota hai. Delhi ke paas weekend ke liye Dhanaulti, Kanatal, Chakrata (Lokhandi) aur Mussoorie (Lal Tibba) best hain. Kumaon me Mukteshwar, Binsar aur Nainital ki Naina Peak par snow milti hai.

Which is the best snowfall place in Uttarakhand?

Auli is the best overall: it gets the most reliable snow, has proper ski slopes and is reachable by road. For a shorter trip from Delhi, Dhanaulti and Kanatal near Mussoorie are the easiest snow destinations.

Where is the nearest snowfall place to Delhi in Uttarakhand?

Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Kanatal and Chakrata are all about 290–330 km from Delhi (7–9 hours by road). Dhanaulti and Kanatal get snow more often than Mussoorie town because they sit a few hundred metres higher.

Does Nainital get snowfall?

Yes, but not every year and only for a few days, usually in January. The higher points around the town, Naina Peak and Snow View, get snow more often than the lake area. Nearby Mukteshwar is a slightly more reliable option.

Which month is best for snowfall in Uttarakhand?

January is the best month, followed by late December and February. High places like Chopta and Munsiyari can get snow from late November, while Mussoorie and Nainital usually see it only in January and early February.

Is snowfall guaranteed if I go in January?

No. Snow in Uttarakhand comes with western disturbances, so it arrives in spells of a few days. High places like Auli almost always have snow on the ground in January, but in lower hill stations you need to watch the forecast and be flexible with dates.

Plan Your Snow Trip

For the full year at a glance, see the best time to visit Uttarakhand. Prefer quiet places to famous ones? Browse our Uttarakhand offbeat places. Or let the AI Trip Planner build a snow itinerary around your dates.