What to Wear in Murree, Naran and Hunza in Winter: 3 Layers and a 10 Item Packing List for Pakistan's Snow Trips

For Murree, Naran, Kalam, Hunza or Skardu in winter, pack three layers and dry feet: a thermal or warm inner layer, a fleece or wool sweater, a windproof and water-resistant jacket, plus a wool cap, gloves, a scarf, two pairs of wool socks and shoes with a grippy sole. Leave the shalwar kameez and open shoes for the hotel. Cotton jeans soak up snow and stay wet, so wear warm trousers instead. Check the PMD tourist forecast the day before you drive.

Every December, thousands of families drive up from Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar to see snow. Many arrive dressed for a cold evening in the plains. Snow is wet, the wind on a ridge is sharp, and a car stuck in a queue for hours gets cold fast. Dressing right is the difference between a great trip and a miserable one.

Dress in three layers, not one heavy coat

Layers trap warm air and let you adjust as you move between a heated car, a cold viewpoint and a warm hotel. The base layer keeps sweat off the skin, the middle layer holds heat, and the outer layer stops wind, snow and rain. One heavy coat over a cotton shirt does none of this well.

Cotton is the problem fibre in snow. Once wet, it stays wet and pulls heat out of the body. That includes jeans, the trousers many of us pack for a trip without thinking.

Winter packing list for the northern areas

For a two or three day trip, one bag can hold everything. Pack two base layers, two warm middle layers, one good outer jacket, warm trousers, three pairs of wool socks, a cap, gloves, a scarf and shoes with a deep grip. Add a small bag for wet clothes.

1. Two thermal tops and two thermal bottoms, one to wear and one spare.
2. One fleece and one wool sweater, or a light puffer.
3. One windproof, water-resistant jacket with a hood.
4. Two pairs of warm trousers. Avoid jeans for snow days.
5. Three pairs of wool or thick socks. Wet socks are the first thing to ruin a day.
6. A wool cap that covers the ears, and a neck warmer or scarf.
7. Waterproof or thick gloves. Knitted gloves get soaked in snow, so take a spare pair.
8. Ankle boots with a grippy sole, plus plastic bags to keep socks dry if the boots leak.
9. Sunglasses. Sun on snow is bright and tiring for the eyes.
10. Lip balm and a moisturiser, because cold wind dries skin fast.

For women who prefer eastern wear, a long thermal under a warm kurta, fleece-lined trousers, a wool shawl and a windproof coat work well. Wear the shawl under the hood, not loose, because the wind takes it.

Dress children for snow with extra care

Children lose heat faster than adults and rarely say they are cold until they are shivering. Give them one more layer than you wear, keep their hands, ears and feet covered, and change wet gloves and socks at once. Bring a full change of clothes for every child.

• Snow suits or waterproof trousers make a huge difference for small children who sit and play in snow.
• Mittens keep fingers warmer than gloves for toddlers.
• Check their feet every hour or two in the snow. Cold, wet toes need dry socks and warmth.
• Keep a blanket and a spare set of warm clothes in the car, not only in the hotel.

If a child or adult is shivering hard, confused or very sleepy, get them indoors, take off wet clothes and warm them up. In an emergency, call Rescue 1122. Here is how to call Rescue 1122 in Gilgit-Baltistan, where stations cover Gilgit and Skardu.

What to wear in the car and if you get stuck

Winter traffic jams on the roads to snow points can last for hours. Wear your base and middle layers in the car, keep the outer jacket, gloves and cap within reach, and carry blankets, water and food. Do not rely on the car heater alone, and never run the engine for long in a car buried by snow.

Keep a "car bag" with a blanket per person, spare socks, a flask of tea or water, snacks, a power bank and a torch. If the engine runs to keep warm, keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow and open a window slightly, because exhaust fumes can build up inside a still car.

Before you leave home, check road conditions as well as the weather. NDMA's list of landslide and snow hotspots on the KKH, Chitral and Neelum roads shows where the risk is highest this month.

Check the forecast and adjust what you pack

What you pack depends on the weather on your dates, not on the calendar. A sunny day in Murree can feel mild at noon and freezing after dark. PMD publishes forecasts for the main tourist spots. Read them a day or two before you go, and pack for the coldest time you will be outside.

Our steps to check the PMD tourist forecast for Murree, Kalam and Hunza show where to find it. If heavy snow is forecast, consider postponing. In high valleys, read NDMA's avalanche safety rules before you walk off the road.

On a budget? You do not need expensive mountain gear for a short trip. A thermal set, a fleece, wool socks and a windproof jacket cover most of it, and many families borrow a jacket from relatives. The winter accessories price list shows what caps, gloves, socks and boots cost at the brands this season.

Common questions

What should I wear in Murree in December?

A thermal inner, a fleece or wool sweater, a windproof jacket, warm trousers, a wool cap, gloves, wool socks and boots with a grippy sole.

Can I wear jeans in the snow?

It is better not to. Cotton jeans soak up snow, stay wet and make you cold. Thermal leggings under warm trousers work much better.

Do I need snow boots for Naran or Hunza?

Not special snow boots for a short trip, but you do need closed ankle boots with a deep grip. Flat sneakers slip on ice.

How many layers should I wear in the northern areas in winter?

Three: a base layer next to the skin, a warm middle layer, and a windproof outer layer, plus a cap, gloves and wool socks.

What should children wear in the snow?

One layer more than adults, waterproof trousers or a snow suit, mittens, a cap over the ears and spare dry socks and gloves.

Is a shawl warm enough for Murree in winter?

A wool shawl helps as an extra layer, but it does not stop wind or snow. Wear it under a windproof coat.

How we verified this

What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.

This packing guide was written on 5 November 2026. It gives general cold-weather clothing advice and no temperatures, because conditions change by the day. For the weather on your dates, use the Pakistan Meteorological Department's tourist forecasts, and for road risk, NDMA's advisories (ndma.gov.pk). We did not survey prices or test any gear for this page.