Uttarakhand’s winter treks are the most accessible snow treks in India — you can leave Delhi on a Friday evening and be walking on real Himalayan snow by Sunday morning. These are the five routes that reliably deliver snow from December to February, ranked by effort.
The five, ranked easiest to boldest
- Nag Tibba (3,022 m, 2 days) — the snow sampler; weekend-proof.
- Deoriatal (2,438 m, 2 days) — frozen-lake reflections; pairs with Chopta.
- Dayara Bugyal (3,400 m, 4–6 days) — snow meadows; ski/snowshoe friendly.
- Kedarkantha (3,810 m, 6 days) — the classic winter summit.
- Brahmatal (3,450 m, 6 days) — the frozen lake; quieter than Kedarkantha.
What winter trekking requires
- Snow odds: 2,800 m+ is reliable; 2,000–2,500 m is occasional — see the snowfall calendar.
- Cold: nights −5 to −10°C; pack for the number (winter packing list).
- Operators: book registered outfits for gear (sleeping bags rated −10°C, microspikes, gaiters).
- Buffers: December–February roads need slack for snowfall (road rules).
