January is the coldest month in Uttarakhand and the most reliable month for snow above 2,500-2,800 m. Auli, Chopta and the winter-trek routes hold their deepest, most dependable cover; the Char Dham temples are closed; and the plains sit under a hazy, cool winter. If snow is the point of your trip, this is the month – with the elevation caveat below.
Weather in January
| Band | Daytime | Nights | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plains (Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh) | approx. 8-20°C | 3-8°C | Fog-prone mornings |
| Mid-hills (~2,000 m: Mussoorie, Nainital) | 8-12°C | -2 to 0°C | Occasional snow – not guaranteed |
| High Himalaya (2,800 m+: Auli, Chopta) | -2 to 4°C | -10 to -5°C | Reliable snow cover |
What is open and closed in January
- Char Dham temples: closed – they reopen in late April (dates here).
- Valley of Flowers: closed (reopens 1 June).
- Jim Corbett: all zones open – cold, misty mornings with excellent sightings (zone guide).
- River rafting, Rishikesh: open – the season runs late September to mid-June.
- Auli: peak ski season; winter treks (Kedarkantha, Brahmatal, Dayara Bugyal) at their best.
Best for
- Guaranteed snow and skiing: Auli
- Winter summit treks: Kedarkantha
- Snow-likely quick weekends: Dhanaulti (odds better than Mussoorie)
- Corbett sightings in crisp, thin bush
Think twice if
- You need the Char Dham temples – they are shut until late April.
- You expect snow at 2,000 m on fixed dates: some winters the first mid-hill spell arrives as late as 23-24 January (as in 2025-26). See the snowfall calendar.
- You plan to drive after fresh snowfall without chains or a buffer day – read driving in the hills.
Events and dates
New Year crowds thin after the first week (the 2026-27 spike ran through 1 January, a Friday). Republic Day (26 January) brings a weekend bump – 26 January 2027 falls on a Tuesday, stretching some trips into a four-day window.
Part of our best time to visit Uttarakhand guide. Full winter planning: snow season guide.
