Drass in February
Ladakh, India
Temperatures plummet to -45°C, making exposed skin frostbite in minutes
February is January with marginally more daylight. Drass remains frozen, the Zoji La is closed, and temperatures hover at -25°C to -10°C. The snow pack is at or near its annual maximum.
The February story
The same brutality applies. The Dras War Memorial under February snow, with the Tololing and Tiger Hill peaks visible (if the sky is clear, which is rare), has a stark power. The military presence is the dominant human activity — this is still a sensitive border area. Local Dard-Shin communities survive as they have for centuries: livestock, stored grain, and a resilience that makes cold a lifestyle rather than a hardship. Homestays are the only accommodation, and not all operate in winter. Confirm before attempting. ₹500-1,000/night.
Why February scores 2.0/10
Weather
Coldest month, possible -45°C
Who should go
- ✓Travelers with basic fitness
- ✓Repeat Drass visitors who know what they are getting into
- ✓Cultural anthropologists studying cold-climate communities
- ✓Winter expedition-level photographers
Who should think twice
- ✗Those with mobility issues
- ✗First-time visitors — experience Drass in summer first
- ✗Anyone who has not experienced -20°C before
- ✗Travellers without confirmed accommodation and transport
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2.0/10 | Temperatures drop to -30°C or below |
| Februaryviewing | 2.0/10 | Coldest month, possible -45°C |
| March | 2.0/10 | Still extremely cold |
| April | 2.0/10 | Thawing starts but still harsh |
| May | 6.0/10 | Roads opening, war memorial accessible |
| June | 8.0/10 | Good conditions, memorial open |
| July | 8.0/10 | Peak season, Vijay Diwas |
| August | 8.0/10 | August continues Drass's summer at 10-23°C. |
| September | 8.0/10 | Late season, clear views |
| October | 4.0/10 | Season ending |
| November | 2.0/10 | Winter setting in |
| December | 2.0/10 | Deep winter |
Nearby in Ladakh scoring high in February
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