Kufri Snowfall: When It Snows and How to Plan a Snow Trip (2026-27)

Short answer: Kufri snowfall usually comes between mid-December and February, and January gives the best odds. Kufri sits around 2,500 m, roughly 300 m above Shimla and 16–20 km out on NH-5, so it turns white more often than the town. No date is ever guaranteed: in 2025–26 the first snow came only on 23 January 2026, after a three-month dry spell.

When does it snow in Kufri?

Snow in Kufri comes with western disturbances, the winter weather systems that move in from the west and drop rain on the plains and snow on the hills. Most winters bring only a handful of snow spells here, usually between the second half of December and late February. Each spell lasts one to three days, and fresh snow on the slopes can stay for a week or more if the nights stay cold.

Kufri snows more often than Shimla because of height. Suzu’s own altitude chart puts Shimla at about 2,200 m and Kufri at about 2,500 m (published figures vary between roughly 2,500 and 2,700 m), so a spell that gives Shimla rain or sleet often leaves Kufri white. That is why Shimla hotels send snow-seekers up to Kufri when the Ridge is clear.

Searches tell the same story. Google’s Keyword Planner shows “kufri snowfall” searches climbing from about 1,000 a month in October to 8,100 in December and a peak of 9,900 in January, then falling to 1,600 in February. People look when the snow is most likely.

Kufri snowfall month by month: what are the real odds?

These odds are a pattern, not a promise. Kufri snow has varied a lot over the last few winters, as the next section shows.

What happened in recent winters?

Recent winters show how much the first snowfall date moves from year to year:

• 2020–21: early. Kufri and Manali got the season’s first snow around 16 November 2020 (ETV Bharat, 16 November 2020).
• 2022–23: late. Shimla had no snow until 13 January 2023, when Kufri and Narkanda got 1–2 inches and the town only got rain (The Tribune, 13 January 2023).
• 2024–25: December snow. Around 8–9 December 2024 Shimla got a light coat and Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda turned white (PTI via National Herald, 9 December 2024). Christmas week brought more snow across Himachal’s hill stations, and India TV reported 174 roads closed statewide on 24 December 2024.
• 2025–26: very late. After nearly three months without rain or snow, the season’s first major spell arrived on 23 January 2026. Snow on the Kufri road left buses and cars stranded, and the 133 Eco Task Force handed out food to people stuck in their vehicles (Keekli, 24 January 2026). Business Today reported on 25 January 2026 that travel beyond Dhalli, about 10 km from Shimla, had been suspended on the snow-covered Hindustan–Tibet Road.

The lesson for planning is simple: if snow matters to you, book for January, keep the dates flexible, and don’t plan one tight day trip from Delhi around it.

Can you reach Kufri when it snows?

Usually yes, but not always on the day the snow falls. Kufri is on NH-5, the main road from Shimla to Narkanda, Rampur and Kinnaur, and it goes uphill past Dhalli. During and just after a heavy spell, Shimla police and the district administration often stop traffic at or beyond Dhalli until the road is cleared and sanded. After the 23 January 2026 spell, the road towards Kufri stayed shut for several hours and buses were stranded.

What to expect on a snow day:

• Morning closures: after overnight snow, NH-5 often opens around midday once ploughs and grit have gone through.
• Local cabs and chains: drivers from Shimla carry snow chains and know where to stop. Self-drive cars from the plains are the ones that slide.
• Shuttles from the barrier: on busy days local taxis may run from the closure point; prices go up.
• Black ice: the day after snow, shaded bends between Dhalli and Kufri freeze in the early morning. Leave after 9 am.
• Check before you go: follow HP Police and Shimla district advisories, and the IMD Shimla forecast, the night before.

A cab from Chandigarh or Delhi can be pre-booked through our Chandigarh to Shimla taxi page, with a local driver who handles the Kufri leg.

Where exactly do you see snow at and around Kufri?

Once the road opens, these are the places guests go, in order from Shimla:

• Green Valley viewpoint: the roadside photo stop on the Shimla–Kufri road, with snow-covered deodar and pine slopes after a spell.
• Kufri slopes and Mahasu Peak: the open slopes in the village and the horse or yak track up to Mahasu Peak, Kufri’s highest point, take snow first and hold it longest. Horse numbers on this track are capped, so go early on weekends.
• Himalayan Nature Park: the high-altitude zoo just off the road. In snow it’s beautiful, but paths can be slippery for small children.
• Fagu: a few kilometres beyond Kufri, quieter fields and orchards for families who want snow without the Kufri crowd.
• Narkanda: about 65 km from Shimla and higher still (around 2,700 m), with more reliable snow and a beginners’ ski slope in good years. See our Narkanda snow and skiing page.

For activity details (sledging, horse rides, the adventure park and winter skiing), our team keeps a separate Kufri adventure activities page with timings and what’s running each season.

What if there’s no snow when you visit?

That happens often, even in January in a dry year. You have three good options:

• Indoor snow: Snow Kingdom Kufri is an indoor park with real snow all year: sledging, tubes and slides in a roughly one-hour session, with gear included.
• Go higher: drive on to Narkanda, which often has snow when Kufri doesn’t.
• Enjoy winter Shimla anyway: the open-air ice skating rink in Shimla runs on natural ice from December to February when the ice holds, and clear winter days give the best views of the snow range.

How do you plan a Kufri snow trip?

We build January snow trips around three ideas: stay in Shimla, keep one spare day, and let the forecast choose the Kufri day.

This is the shape of our Chandigarh Shimla 3N/4D tour with Kufri, quoted to your dates. If you are coming from Delhi and want Manali too, the Shimla Manali tour from Delhi (5N/6D) starts at ₹14,999 per person plus 5% GST on the live package page, and Kufri fits into its Shimla day.

Booking tips for snow season:

• Avoid 24 December to 2 January if you can. That’s when hotels are fullest and the Dhalli–Kufri road jams worst. The off-season runs from early November to around 19 December.
• Book a refundable or flexible room so you can shift a night if a big spell is forecast.
• Weekdays beat weekends. Chandigarh and Delhi day-trippers fill Kufri on Saturdays and Sundays after any fresh snow.

What should you pack for snow in Kufri?

• Waterproof boots with grip: the single most useful item. Sports shoes soak through within an hour on snow.
• Layers: a thermal base, fleece and a windproof, waterproof jacket. Nights after a spell drop well below freezing.
• Gloves, woollen cap and socks (bring spares). Local stalls rent gumboots and snow suits, but quality varies.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen: sun on fresh snow is harsh, even on cold days.
• For children: waterproof trousers and a change of clothes in the car.

What this means for your trip

If seeing snow is the reason for your trip, plan Kufri for January, give yourself three nights in Shimla, and stay flexible on the Kufri day. If your dates are fixed in December or February, go anyway: snow is possible, and Narkanda and the indoor park are your backups. Don’t plan a same-day Delhi–Kufri–Delhi run around a forecast; the road closures that come with real snow make it a gamble.

Kufri snowfall: frequently asked questions

Which month is best for snowfall in Kufri?

January. It has the most reliable cold and the most western disturbances, so it gives the best chance of fresh snow and snow lying on the ground. Late December and February are the next best. In a dry year even January can disappoint: in 2025–26 the first snow came only on 23 January 2026, so keep a spare day.

Is there snow in Kufri in December?

Sometimes. Many winters bring the first spell in December, often in the second half. In December 2024, Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda were white by 9 December. But some Decembers stay dry, like 2025. For Christmas trips, book in Shimla, watch the IMD forecast and keep Narkanda as a backup.

Can I see snow in Kufri in November?

Rarely. An early western disturbance can bring a light spell, as on 16 November 2020, but in most years November is cold and clear with no snow. If you are travelling in November and want guaranteed snow play, use the indoor Snow Kingdom park at Kufri.

How far is Kufri from Shimla?

About 16–20 km on NH-5, the old Hindustan–Tibet Road, through Dhalli. On a clear road it takes 30–45 minutes by car. After heavy snow the stretch beyond Dhalli can be shut for hours, and weekend jams can double the time, so leave early.

Is Kufri road open after snowfall?

Not always straight away. During and right after heavy snow, police can stop traffic beyond Dhalli until the road is ploughed and gritted; this happened after the 23 January 2026 spell. It usually reopens within hours or by the next day. Check HP Police and Shimla district updates before setting out.

Does Shimla town get snow too?

Less often than Kufri, because it is about 300 m lower. A spell that gives Kufri several inches may give Shimla only rain or a light dusting, as on 13 January 2023. When the Ridge is white, Kufri and Narkanda almost always are too.

Where can I see snow near Shimla if Kufri has none?

Narkanda, about 65 km from Shimla and around 2,700 m high, holds snow more often and has a beginners’ ski slope in good years. Fagu, just beyond Kufri, is quieter. For snow in any month, Snow Kingdom at Kufri is an indoor park with real snow and gear included.