Weekend Snow Hunt: Mount Abu’s Chill Beckons Delhiites

New Delhi — Tired of Dilli ki smog and crowded malls on weekends? Well, the hills are calling—and for once, they’re echoing back with an icy surprise. Mount Abu, Rajasthan’s well-known desert hill station, just turned into a frost-kissed winter retreat. Locals in the Aravallis are reporting icy roads, frozen puddles, and a chill in the air that feels more Himachal than Rajasthan. Delhiites, if you’ve postponed your Manali plans (read: 10-hour jams near Murthal), this might be your chance to chase snow a little differently.

Mount Abu Is Freezing—Literally

You read that right. Mount Abu, Rajasthan’s only hill station, has dipped well below normal winter temperatures this week, causing patches of frost, frozen water pipes, and dreamy mist-filled mornings. For context, Mount Abu usually hovers between 10°C and 20°C in December-January, but this spell has brought it dramatically closer to zero degrees—something rare for this Aravalli outpost. Normally marketed as a summer escape from the Rajasthani heat, the chilled twist has caught many travelers off guard—in a good way. The Nakki Lake area, popular for pedal-boating and cafes, reportedly had mist so thick in the morning that paddleboats paused operations. Local hotel owners say they’ve seen an unexpected mid-week surge in bookings from Jaipur and Delhi-NCR, as word spreads of this unusual cold snap. A chaiwala near Dilwara Temples said, “Season mein kabhi itni thand Mount Abu mein nahi dekhi. Subah sab kuch jam gaya tha.” It’s like Shimla-lite, but without the train chaos and packed Mall Road.

What It Means For Dilliwale Escapists

For us NCR folk craving a taste of winter but dreading the gridlocked roads to Kufri or Shimla, Mount Abu now makes a tempting weekend alternative. From Sarai Kale Khan ISBT, you can catch sleeper Volvos to Abu Road, followed by a scenic zigzag taxi ride up the hills. Office-goers from Cyber City and Noida’s Sector 62 tech parks are already planning group train bookings. For college students in DU North Campus, it’s quickly becoming this season’s surprise getaway, especially with hostel whisper networks lighting up about budget dharamshalas near Polo Ground still taking last-minute bookings. Families from Punjabi Bagh and GreNo West, who usually crowd Sukhdev Dhaba on chilly weekends, are eyeing Mount Abu as a new story-worthy trip. Of course, you should prep right—the mercury’s dropped unexpectedly low, so plan as if you’re heading to Auli. Those linen scarves from Khan Market won’t cut it, trust us.

But Isn’t Mount Abu in the Desert?

Exactly why this is so unique. Mount Abu sits in the Aravalli range, averaging just 1,200 meters above sea level—a modest height compared to the Himalayas. But thanks to seasonal western disturbances and a combination of dry desert winds clashing with higher elevation, you sometimes get surprise cold snaps here. Back in 2008, Mount Abu briefly touched near-zero temperatures, but it didn’t turn icy. Older residents recall the rare frost in the 90s, but say it never matched this year’s consistency of icy nights and misty mornings. Even Rajasthan Tourism is reportedly tweaking its winter campaign to include rare snow-chasing experiences. Compared to when Delhi froze over in 2020 and auto-wallahs in Lajpat Nagar wore makeshift turbans of mufflers, this hill station chill feels refreshing—minus the pollution and early morning fog traffic chaos of our NCR mornings.

Thinking of Going? Here’s How to Make the Trip Count

Dress Smart: Thermal layers, proper boots, and waterproof gloves—not just for Instagram style but real warmth. This is not your usual Rajasthani winter.
Plan Transport: Book your rail tickets to Abu Road early; tatkal is a gamble. From there, taxis (₹450–₹600) can take you up the 27 km slope to Mount Abu town.
Stay Close to Nakki Lake: That’s the winter action zone. Nearby cafés open late, so pack some dry snacks. Morning mists mean limited visibility post-6 pm.

📍 Spot Check: For Delhi departures, start at New Delhi Railway Station (Ajmeri Gate side is quieter); buses leave from Sarai Kale Khan. Nearby hangouts while you wait include Haldiram’s and the moong dal halwa stall outside Gate 2. In Mount Abu, Nakki Lake road is your photospot-friendly zone.

The Final Word

Delhi winters always stir up a desire to flee—the freezing floors in Lajpat Nagar flats, the fog delays at Noida Sector 18 metro, the bonfire smells in Shastri Nagar gullies. But instead of your 5th trip to Manali or a midweek Alwar Ghar staycation, try Mount Abu’s frosted twist this season. It’s surprising, accessible, and—dare we say—delightfully weird for a Rajasthani destination. Would you swap Shimla’s traffic for Abu’s still mornings? Or is this one tourist trail too random for your crew?