Snow in Mussoorie: when it comes, and where to find it.
Mussoorie sits only about 35 km above Dehradun, so a good snow spell here makes headlines across North India. It does not snow every winter — but when it does, Landour, Lal Tibba and Dhanaulti turn white first. Here is how the season runs and how to plan around it.
- ~2,000 m Mussoorie Mall
- Late Dec–Feb usual snow window
- 23 Jan 2026 last season's first snow
- ~35 km from Dehradun
Photo: Paul Hamilton, CC BY-SA 2.0
Updated November 2026 · HP Tourism registered travel agent · Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022 · certificates
Mussoorie usually gets snow between late December and February, with January the most likely month — but at about 2,000 m it is a borderline snow town, and some winters bring only a dusting. Last winter, Mussoorie got the season’s first snow on 23 January 2026, the same day Dhanaulti, Chakrata and Auli had heavy snow. For the best chance, stay up in Landour or near Lal Tibba, keep Dhanaulti and Surkanda Devi (higher, about 25–35 km away) as your backup, and check the forecast a week before you travel.
- Most likely monthJanuary, then February; late December in a cold year.
- Snow in town?Not every winter — 2025-26 waited until 23 Jan 2026.
- Surer snow nearbyLandour and Lal Tibba above the Mall; Dhanaulti and Surkanda Devi beyond.
- Getting thereDehradun → Mussoorie about 35 km, 1–1.5 h by road.
- After a heavy spellRoads to Dhanaulti and Kempty can shut for hours — keep a buffer day.
When does it snow in Mussoorie?
Mussoorie is spread along a ridge at about 2,000 m, with Landour climbing a little higher at its eastern end. Snow comes with western disturbances in winter, and because the town is only just high enough, a few hundred metres of height make all the difference: Landour and Lal Tibba often whiten when the Mall Road gets rain.
Last winter shows the pattern. After a long dry spell, the season’s first snow reached Mussoorie on 23 January 2026, the same day Dhanaulti, Chakrata, Auli and Munsiyari had heavy snow and the Char Dham shrines dropped below freezing. Some winters bring a December snowfall; others bring almost none.
So plan for a window, not a date: late December to February, with January the safest bet — and a day trip to Dhanaulti or Surkanda Devi if the town stays bare.
Mussoorie snowfall by month
A simple guide from recent winters and the usual pattern. Check the forecast for your actual dates.
| Month | Mussoorie & Landour | Dhanaulti & Surkanda | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | No snow; clear and cold | Rare | Winterline sunsets; quiet weekdays |
| December | Possible, mostly late in the month | Possible | Christmas–New Year crowds; book early |
| January | Most likely month | Most reliable month | Coldest; roads can shut after heavy spells |
| February | Possible | Likely in a cold year | Fewer crowds |
| March | Uncommon | Possible early in the month | Spring begins |
Going in December? See our Mussoorie in December guide for weather, Winterline sunsets and what is open.
Where is it snowing in the hills this week?
Mussoorie is not on our live board yet — these are the nearest snow points we track, with the 7-day snow forecast for each. See all of them on the live snow tracker.
Snow in the next 7 days
Checking the forecast…
Loading the latest forecast…
Forecast data: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), refreshed through the day — last update —. Snow in cm is estimated from forecast precipitation (1 mm ≈ 1 cm) when it falls as snow; treat it as a guide, not a promise.
Mussoorie in the snow
Landour’s lanes and churches, the ridge above Dehradun and the snow peaks to the north — real photographs, each credited to its photographer.
Best places to see snow in and around Mussoorie
From the Mall Road up to the higher ridges — listed from nearest to farthest.
Mall Road & Gun Hill
The classic snow sight when a spell reaches the town; easy to walk.
Landour & Lal Tibba
Higher, quieter and often the first part of Mussoorie to whiten, with views of the snow peaks to the north.
Char Dukan & Sisters' Bazaar
Old cafés and churches under deodars — beautiful after fresh snow.
George Everest's House
An open ridge with wide views; can be snowy when the town is not.
Dhanaulti
Deodar forest and eco-parks — the most popular snow day trip from Mussoorie.
Surkanda Devi
The highest point nearby, a steep walk up from Kaddukhal; the surest snow in the area.
Travelling to Mussoorie in snow season
Getting there: Dehradun is about 35 km (1–1.5 hours) below Mussoorie, and Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport is about 60 km away. From Delhi it is roughly 290 km by road — see our Delhi to Mussoorie taxi or Dehradun to Mussoorie taxi.
Roads: the Dehradun–Mussoorie road usually stays open, but after heavy snow the stretches to Dhanaulti, Kempty and Landour can freeze or close for hours. Travel up in daylight with a driver used to hill roads, and keep a spare day.
Crowds: the first snow brings big weekend crowds and long traffic queues from Dehradun. Midweek is calmer.
Clothes: layers, a padded jacket, gloves, a cap and shoes with grip — Mussoorie’s lanes are steep and slippery in snow.
Mussoorie trips we plan
Every trip is quoted for your dates — hotels, breakfast and dinner, and a private cab with a hill driver.
Want to see snow in Mussoorie?
Tell us your dates and group. We watch the forecast, suggest whether to stay in Mussoorie or Landour and when to head to Dhanaulti, and send one written quote with hotel, meals and a private cab. Suzu Travels is an HP Tourism registered travel agent based in Bilaspur, Himachal, planning trips across North India.
Questions travellers ask
Which month does it snow in Mussoorie?
January is the most likely month, then February; snow can also come in late December. Mussoorie does not get snow every winter — in 2025-26 the first snow came on 23 January 2026.
When did Mussoorie get its first snow last season?
On 23 January 2026, after a long dry spell. Dhanaulti, Chakrata, Auli and Munsiyari had heavy snow the same day.
Does it snow in Mussoorie in December?
Sometimes, mostly late in the month, but it is far from certain. Dhanaulti and Surkanda Devi, higher up, are more likely to have snow.
Where can I see snow near Mussoorie if there is none in town?
Head up to Landour and Lal Tibba, or take a day trip to Dhanaulti (about 25 km) and Surkanda Devi (about 35 km), which are higher and get snow more often.
How far is Mussoorie from Delhi and Dehradun?
About 35 km (1–1.5 hours) from Dehradun and roughly 290 km from Delhi by road, longer in snow or weekend traffic.
Is Mussoorie or Shimla better for snow?
Shimla, with Kufri and Narkanda close by, usually has more reliable snow. Mussoorie is closer to Delhi and Dehradun and is lovely after a snowfall, but it is more of a borderline snow town.
Sources
- The Statesman: Mussoorie gets its first snowfall of the season — 23 Jan 2026
- The Week (PTI): Uttarakhand sees first snowfall of 2026 — 24 Jan 2026
- MET Norway Locationforecast (CC BY 4.0) — live forecast data
Photo credits
Mussoorie snow over Dehradun — Photo: Paul Hamilton, CC BY-SA 2.0 · A Mussoorie church after snowfall — Photo: Paul Hamilton, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Mussoorie rooftops in snow — Photo: Paul Hamilton, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Snow on a Mussoorie hilltop — Photo: Paul Hamilton, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Fresh snow in Mussoorie — Photo: Paul Hamilton, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Dusk over the Doon valley after snow — Photo: Paul Hamilton, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Himalayan peaks from Mussoorie — Photo: Paul Hamilton, CC BY-SA 2.0 · The hills around Mussoorie in snow — Photo: Bhargav0895, CC BY-SA 4.0
