December is when winter claims the state. The first real snows arrive (mid-to-late December in the mid-hills; settled cover up high), Auli’s ski season opens, the Char Dham and Valley of Flowers are closed, rafting runs on crisp days – and the Christmas-New Year fortnight turns the classic hill stations festive and full. In 2026-27 both 25 December and 1 January fall on Fridays: two stacked long weekends, so book early or travel mid-month.
Weather in December
| Band | Daytime | Nights | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plains | 10-22°C | 4-8°C | Dry, hazy mornings |
| Mid-hills (~2,000 m) | 6-12°C | -1 to 2°C | Snow possible; not guaranteed |
| High Himalaya (2,800 m+) | -2 to 5°C | -9 to -4°C | Season opens with reliable cover |
What is open and closed in December
- Char Dham: closed – reopening in late April (dates).
- Valley of Flowers: closed (reopens 1 June).
- Auli: ski season opens – December to March (Auli guide; skiing details).
- Rafting: open; Jim Corbett: all zones open.
- Winter treks: Kedarkantha and friends in full swing.
Best for
- Guaranteed snow: Auli; snow-likely weekends: Dhanaulti (snowfall odds)
- Festive hill-station atmosphere: Mussoorie, Nainital
- Post-New-Year value from the second week of January’s vantage – and mid-December weekdays (costs)
Think twice if
- You expect snow at 2,000 m on Christmas dates – some years it waits for January (snow guide).
- You have not booked for the 25 Dec-1 Jan fortnight – inventory vanishes early.
Events and dates
Christmas and New Year drive the winter’s biggest crowds and tariffs. After the first week of January, the state exhales – and mid-January becomes the snow season’s quiet sweet spot.
Part of our best time to visit Uttarakhand guide.
