Snowfall in Nainital and the Best Places to See Snow

Quick answer: Snowfall in Nainital usually comes between late December and February, most often in January. It is light and short, and in some winters only the peaks around town turn white. Naina Peak, Snow View and Kilbury get it first. For snow you can plan around, join our 6-day Brahmatal Trek.

Most people planning a winter trip to Nainital ask one thing: will I see snow? The honest answer is "maybe". This guide covers when it snows, recent snow dates, how to check today, the best snow spots, the weather and the nearest place where snow is far more certain.

By Manish Barakoti, Himalaya Shelter. Facts are from our own pages, IMD climate normals and local news reports, checked on 2 November 2026. Snow chances are past patterns, not forecasts. Last updated: 2 November 2026.

The snowfall season in Nainital runs from late December to February. January is the best month, December snow is light and not certain, and February can bring a late heavy spell, as it did in early February 2022. Snow comes with western disturbances, the winter storms from the west, and each spell lasts a day or two.

Even a good winter gives the town just a handful of white days. Our guide to snowfall in Uttarakhand shows how the chance rises with height across the state.

Nainital in December and December End

Nainital in December is cold and mostly dry, at about 13°C by day and 3°C at night. If snow comes, it is usually late in the month, but some years bring an early spell: on 9 December 2024 the higher parts of Nainital got snow. December end is the busiest week of winter, with Christmas and New Year crowds on the Mall Road, so book 4 to 6 weeks ahead. See more winter ideas in places to visit in Uttarakhand in December.

January and February

January is the coldest and wettest winter month, which is why snowfall in Nainital in January is the most common. February is also wet, so late storms are possible, and the heaviest recent snow on the Mall Road came in February 2022.

Snow in October, April or May?

We found no reports of snow in the town in October, April or May in recent years. In those months you see the Himalayan snow peaks on clear days, not snow under your feet.

Nainital snowfall 2026-27 update: as of 2 November 2026 there has been no snow here this season. The first snow is most likely from late December. Snow on the high Himalaya, such as Kedarnath and Badrinath on 29 October, does not mean snow here, as the town is much lower. We update this line after each spell.

Snow lasts only a day or two, so check before driving up. To know if there is snowfall in Nainital today:

1. Read the IMD Dehradun forecast and district warnings for rain or snow in the district.
2. Search local Hindi news for the day, such as Amar Ujala or ETV Bharat Uttarakhand. They report snow on the peaks within hours.
3. Look at the latest photos tagged at Snow View Point, China Peak or Kilbury on social media.
4. Call your hotel and ask if the road to Kilbury and Pangot is open.

Rain or hail in town with a cold wind usually means snow on the peaks above. Go up to Naina Peak or Kilbury the next morning, before the sun melts it.

The most recent snow was on 23 January 2026, when China Peak and Kilbury turned white and the town got hail and rain. Before that, the first snow of 2025 came on 11-12 January. The big one was early February 2022, when snow covered the Mall Road and Naini Lake.

Dates are from local news reports. Even a "snow month" can stay dry, as early January 2026 did.

The best places to see snow in Nainital are the peaks above the lake: Naina Peak (China Peak), Snow View Point and Tiffin Top. They are higher than the town, so they turn white first and keep snow longer. The Mall Road and lake shore get snow only in a strong spell.

Naina Peak (China Peak)

At 2,615 m, it is the highest point of Nainital and the first place to get snow. A 6 km trail climbs from Mallital, or you can ride a pony from Tanki Band. After snow, its Himalayan view is the best in town.

Nainital Snow View Point by Cable Car

Snow View Point sits at 2,270 m and is reached by the cable car (ropeway) from Mallital. It is the easiest snow spot for families and older travellers. It gets busy over Christmas, so go early.

Tiffin Top (Dorothy's Seat)

Tiffin Top is about 4 km from the city centre, a forest walk or horse ride from the Mall Road. It got snow on 10 January 2022 along with China Peak and Snow View.

Mall Road and Naini Lake

Snow on the Mall Road is rare. It happened in early February 2022, along with snow around Naini Lake. We found no reports of the lake freezing over in recent winters.

For snowfall near Nainital, go a little higher or further. Kilbury, Himalaya Darshan and the Pangot road get snow when the town gets only hail or rain. Mukteshwar, 51 km away, also gets occasional snow. None of these are certain, so plan them as a bonus.

Kilbury, Pangot and Himalaya Darshan

Kilbury is a forest bird reserve on the Pangot road, and Pangot is about 13 to 15 km from Nainital. The Pangot road got snow in January 2025 and Kilbury in January 2026. Our guide to one-day hikes in Kumaon covers the Pangot walk.

Mukteshwar

Mukteshwar is 51 km from Nainital at 2,171 m. Snow there is occasional and light in December and January, with a heavy spell in February 2022. Plan it with our Mukteshwar tour.

Bhowali and Ramgarh

These are lower, so snow comes only if you are lucky, but the Bhowali Ramgarh trek is a gentle winter walk.

Nainital and Mussoorie get about the same snow: both sit near 2,000 m, both get light spells from late December to February, and both have winters with almost none. Choose by distance and plan. Mussoorie is closer to Delhi; Nainital has more high snow spots like Naina Peak and Kilbury.

In Mussoorie, Landour and Lal Tibba get snow first, the same way the peaks above Naini Lake do here. Read our full guide to snowfall in Mussoorie to compare dates and drive times.

The best time to visit Nainital for snowfall is January, especially after a western disturbance is forecast. Keep your dates flexible, watch the forecast a week ahead and go up a day after the spell, when roads are cleared and the peaks are still white. Weekdays are much quieter than weekends.

Is 2 Days Enough for a Snow Trip?

Two days are enough for the lake, Snow View and Naina Peak. Add a third day if you want Kilbury, Pangot or Mukteshwar, or a buffer for snow on the roads.

If snow is the main reason for your trip, go higher. Brahmatal, at 12,250 ft, has snow and frozen lakes from December to February in a normal winter, and it is the closest of our winter snow treks to Kumaon. See Brahmatal Trek dates, cost and inclusions.

Snow on the Brahmatal ridge in winter, far more certain than in Nainital town

Brahmatal Trek: Snow and Frozen Lakes

The Brahmatal trek takes 6 days from Dehradun, reaches 12,250 ft (3,734 m) and is graded easy to moderate. Our batches start from Dehradun with pickup, and the base village Lohajung is about 290 km from Dehradun. The fee starts at ₹11,200 per person.

Evening light on the snow near Brahmatal Top

First Snow Trek: Kedarkantha

For a first snow trek, Kedarkantha is the most popular choice: 5 days from Dehradun, a 12,500 ft summit and snow up to base camp by mid-December. It is further away, but its snow is the most reliable of any beginner trek.

A Kedarkantha campsite in winter snow

Nainital weather in December is about 13°C by day and 3°C at night. January is the coldest, near 11°C by day and 2°C at night, and February is a little milder. Nights can drop below freezing on cold spells, with record lows near -5°C. Frost and mist are common.

Averages are IMD climate normals; January is also the wettest winter month.

Clear winter days give the best Himalayan views

Nainital is about 314 km from Delhi by road. The easiest way is the morning Shatabdi from New Delhi to Kathgodam, about 5.5 hours, and then a 35 km drive up. The nearest airport is Pantnagar, about 70 km away. In winter, start early and reach before dark.

Is It Safe to Drive to Nainital in Snow?

Yes, with care. Black ice forms on shaded bends in the early morning, so start after the sun warms the road. Use good tyres and carry snow chains or hire a local driver. After heavy snow, roads above town can close for a day.

• Take a boat on Naini Lake and visit the Naina Devi temple.
• Ride the cable car to Snow View Point.
• Walk to Tiffin Top or hike to Naina Peak for snow and Himalayan views.
• Drive to Kilbury and Pangot the morning after a snow spell.
• Check the dates of the Nainital Winter Carnival if you are there at year end.

• Thermal inners, a fleece and a padded or down jacket with a waterproof shell
• Woollen cap, gloves and woollen socks
• Waterproof shoes with good grip
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, a power bank, a torch and cash

For a full layering list, see essential clothing for Himalayan winter treks.

Snow in Nainital is a lucky bonus. For snow you can plan around, join our Brahmatal Trek: 6 days, 12,250 ft, snow and frozen lakes from December to February, from ₹11,200 per person. First snow trek? Try the Kedarkantha Trek, 5 days at ₹10,000 + 5% GST. Both start from Dehradun with pickup. Call or WhatsApp us at +91 94583 86006 for dates.

Does it snow in Nainital?

Yes, but lightly and not every winter. Snow usually falls between late December and February, most often in January, and some winters only the peaks around town turn white.

Which month is best to see snow?

January is the best month. December snow is light and less certain, and February can bring a late spell.

Does it snow in Nainital in December?

Sometimes, mostly in the last week. On 9 December 2024 the higher parts of Nainital got snow, but many Decembers stay dry.

When did it last snow in Nainital?

The last reported snow was on 23 January 2026, on China Peak and Kilbury. As of 2 November 2026 there has been no snow this season.

Is snow falling in Nainital right now?

Not as of 2 November 2026. Check the IMD Dehradun forecast and local news on the day, as snow here lasts only a day or two.

Where is the best place to see snow?

Naina Peak, Snow View Point and Tiffin Top get snow first. Near town, Kilbury and the Pangot road are the best bets.

Does Naini Lake freeze in winter?

We found no reports of Naini Lake freezing over in recent winters. Snow on the lake shore is also rare; the last big spell was in February 2022.

Which is better for snow, Nainital or Mussoorie?

They are about the same. Both are near 2,000 m and get light, uncertain snow from late December to February.

How far is Nainital from Delhi?

About 314 km by road. By train, take the Shatabdi to Kathgodam, about 5.5 hours, then drive 35 km.

Where can I see sure snow near Nainital?

Go higher. The Brahmatal trek at 12,250 ft has snow from December to February in a normal winter and starts from Dehradun, with a fee from ₹11,200 per person.