Driving to Murree in Snow: Safety and Recovery Guide

If you are driving to Murree in snow, check the latest Murree Police and PMD advisories before you leave, because the authorities can restrict or stop tourist entry during heavy snowfall. Travel in daylight, with a full tank, warm clothes, food, water and snow chains, and turn back if the road is blocked or the police advise against continuing. If you get stuck, keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow and never sit in a closed car with the engine running for long periods.

Every winter, snowfall draws thousands of families from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore and beyond to Murree, Nathia Gali and the wider Galiyat. In heavy spells, traffic jams on the Murree Expressway and the old Murree Road can leave cars stuck for hours, and the authorities have closed entry to Murree more than once to keep roads clear for snow-clearing machinery. The January 2022 tragedy, when people died in cars stranded in snow, is a reminder that a fun day out can become dangerous quickly.

Before you go: check the advisories

• Check Murree Police and the Rawalpindi district administration for entry restrictions and advisories. During heavy snow they may stop tourist traffic completely.
• Check the PMD forecast for snowfall warnings in Murree and the Galiyat, and for cold waves that freeze roads overnight.
• Check whether the road you plan to use is open. The Murree Expressway, the old Murree Road and the routes towards Nathia Gali and Ayubia can each be closed separately.
• Book accommodation in advance if you plan to stay. Trying to find a room late at night in snow is how many families end up stuck on the road.
• If the advice is not to travel, do not travel. The snow will still be there next week.

Prepare your car

Many cars that break down on the way to Murree do so because they were not ready for cold, steep, slippery roads. A few checks before the trip prevent most problems.

• Battery: get it tested. Cold reduces battery power, and a weak battery that copes in the plains may fail on a freezing morning in the hills.
• Tyres: check tread depth and pressures. Worn tyres have very little grip on packed snow and ice.
• Snow chains: carry a set that fits your tyres and practise fitting them at home before you need them.
• Coolant: make sure it is the correct mix with antifreeze, not plain water, which can freeze and damage the engine.
• Brakes: get them checked. The descent from Murree is long and steep.
• Wipers, washer fluid, heater and demister: all need to work properly.
• Fuel: fill the tank fully before you start climbing. A long jam with the heater on uses a lot of fuel.

What to carry

• Warm clothes, blankets, gloves and caps for everyone, including children.
• Drinking water, dry food and any medicines you need.
• A torch, a power bank and a phone charger.
• A small shovel to clear snow from around the wheels and exhaust.
• A warning triangle and a reflective vest.
• A tow strap is useful for a recovery crew, but do not attempt a tow yourself on icy hill roads.

Driving on snow and ice

• Drive slowly and smoothly. Avoid sudden braking, steering or acceleration.
• Use a lower gear on climbs and descents. On the way down, let the engine hold your speed rather than riding the brakes.
• In an automatic, use the low or manual gear modes on descents if your car has them.
• Leave a very large gap to the vehicle in front. Stopping distances on ice are many times longer than on dry road.
• Watch for black ice in shaded bends and on bridges, especially early in the morning and after dark.
• Do not park on the roadside to take photos. Parked cars narrow the road and are a major cause of jams.
• Plan to be off the hill roads before dark. Temperatures drop quickly and wet roads freeze.

If you get stuck in traffic or snow

Being stuck in a long jam or in a drift is the most dangerous part of a snow trip. The main risk is carbon monoxide, an invisible, odourless gas from the exhaust. If snow blocks the exhaust pipe, fumes can build up inside the car while the engine runs to keep everyone warm.

• Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow. Check it regularly if snow is falling or piling up around the car.
• Do not run the engine continuously. Run it for short periods to warm up, then switch it off.
• Open a window slightly when the engine is running to let fresh air in.
• If anyone feels dizzy, sleepy, sick or has a headache, switch off the engine, open the windows and get fresh air at once.
• Use blankets and warm clothes to keep warm, rather than relying only on the heater.
• Stay with your car unless there is safe shelter very close by, and keep everyone together.
• Call Rescue 1122 or the local police (15) in an emergency, and follow instructions from police and rescue teams on the road.

Breakdowns and recovery in the hills

Common problems on snow trips include flat batteries, cars that cannot climb on ice, cars that have slid into a ditch or snowbank, and overheated brakes on the way down. If your car stops, get it as far to the side as possible, switch on hazards and put out a warning triangle if it is safe to walk to.

When you call a recovery service, give your exact location, such as the nearest village, landmark or kilometre marker, the make and model of the car, and what has happened. Be aware that recovery vehicles face the same closures and jams as everyone else. When the authorities have stopped traffic, a truck may not be able to reach you until roads are cleared, so your own preparation matters. A car that has slid off the road may need winching before it can be loaded onto a flatbed; do not let well-meaning bystanders pull it out with ropes, which can damage the car and injure people.

The short version

• Check Murree Police and PMD advisories before leaving, and respect entry bans.
• Travel in daylight with a full tank, tested battery, good tyres and snow chains.
• Carry warm clothes, food, water and a shovel.
• Keep the exhaust clear and never sleep in a running car.
• Turn back early if conditions get worse.