India’s diverse geography have some very beautiful snowy destinations, especially in northern and north-eastern regions. The listed below destinations transforms themselves into magical winter wonderlands. They attracts tourists from all over the world.
Here is an in-depth look at some of the most popular snowy destinations of India.
Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir
Gulmarg is referred as “Meadow of Flowers”. It is a premier ski resort in India which is located in the Pir Panjal range of the western Himalayas. It is like a heaven for winter sport lovers.
Key Attractions
- In terms of skiing and Snowboarding, Gulmarg offers some of the best slopes of Asia. It is suitable for beginners and experts both.
- One of the highest cable cars in the world, it offers some unbelievable views of snow-covered landscape.
- Alpather Lake, a frozen wonder during winters. It is located at the foot of twin Apharwat peaks.
December to March is considered as the best time to visit as snowfall is at its peak.
Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Manali is a pictorial hill station in Kullu Valley. It is known for its serene beauty and adventure activites.
Key Attractions
- Solang Valley, famous for its winter sports like skiing, paragliding and zorbing.
- Rohtang Pass offers stunning views of snow-capped mountains. It is a popular place for sledging and snow scooter rides.
- Old Manali is a ancient village known for the traditional houses and laid-back vibe.
October to February is considered as best time to visit. January is the coldest and snowiest month here.
Leh-Ladakh
Leh-Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir is known for its beautiful landscapes and Buddhist monasteries. This region is a mixture of natural beauty and adventures.
Key Attractions
- Pangong Lake, a high-altitude lake which freezes in winters and offers so real views.
- Nubra Valley, which is famous for the sand dunes, double humped camels and snow-capped peaks.
- One of the highest motorable road in the world, Khardung La Pass, gets blanked with snow.
November to February is considered as best time to visit, as it is extremely cold during these months.
Auli, Uttarakhand
Auli is a hidden gem known for ski resorts and panoramic views of Nanda Devi and Nar Parvat mountains.
Key Attractions
- Auli have well-maintained slopes and ski lifts. This makes it a perfect destination for skiing.
- It have one of the highest man made artificial lake that provides a pictorial backdrop. It also have snow making capability during ski season.
- Track to places like Gorson Bugyal gives excellent trekking opportunities.
December to February is said to be the best time to visit for providing fresh snow and ideal for skiing.
Nainital, Uttarakhand
Located around a beautiful lake, Nainital is a charming hill station that experiences beautiful snowfall.
Key Attractions
- Naini Lake is a stunning lake surrounded by hills. It is partially freezes in the winter and offers scenic boat rides.
- The snow view point are accessible by a cable car, this provides beautiful panoramic views of snow covered Himalayas.
- The main shopping street, Mall Road becomes even more pictorial with a dusting of snow.
Best time to visit is December to January. At this time, the town is fully covered in snow.
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
The capital city, Shimla is a beautiful hill station known for its snow covered streets.
Key Attractions
- The central part of Shimla offers stunning views and vibrant markets.
- A small hill station near Shimla, Kufri popular for skiing and snow activities.
- The Jakhoo Temple, dedicated to Hanuman jii. This offers panoramic views of the snowy landscape.
Best time to visit is December to February, when the snowfall is coming.
Sikkim
It is the north-eastern part of India. It offers some snowy destinations like Gangtok and Nathula Pass.
Key Attractions
- The capital city Gangtok, offers immersive and stunning views of Mt. Kanchenjunga and access to Tsomgo Lake. This location is freezes in winters.
- Nathula Pass, a mountain pass on Indo-China border. It is usually covered with snow and provides a thrilling experience.
- Yumthang Valley, also called ‘Valley of Flowers’. This places turns itself into a snowy paradise in winters.
Best time to visit there is December to February. It experiences heavy snowfall these days.
Tips for Travellers
At these places many people faces altitude sickness because of high altitude. To prevent, adapt yourself into the destination properly and stay hydrated.
Cloth layering is very important at these type of destinations. Wear thermal innerwear, sweaters, waterproof jackets and insulated boots.
Make your travel arrangements according to the weather forecast. Check road conditions also. Sometimes, snowfall can disrupt travel plans.