If you do not belong to the Himalayan region, I am sure you love snowfall. When I was a kid, I always wanted to walk while the snow was falling. Having a cup of tea watching the back street becoming white and covered with snow. My dream came true on my trek to Auli from Joshimath and I had a better experience during the trek to Saptkund. India has the blessing of the Himalayas where there are several cities to enjoy snowfall.
If you are not sure where to go, Here I am listing the best places to see snowfall in India. These places are best for enjoying the snow in India.
Best Places to See Snow in India
Here is a list of the best places to see snow in India. You can enjoy extremely chilling weather in these places in India.
1. Sonamarg, Kashmir
Sonamarg is a snow lover’s paradise in winter and is a popular destination for seeing snow and mountains covered with a beautiful sheet of snow. Sonamarg, located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, is known for its scenic beauty and is a popular tourist destination.
During winter months, the region experiences snowfall and is a popular destination for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. The snow-covered landscape of Sonamarg is a beautiful sight to behold and attracts many tourists from India and abroad.
2. Gulmarg
Just like Sonamarg, Gulmarg is another beautiful place in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir for enjoying the snow. Along with snow and snowfall, it is also one of the best skiing destinations in India. So, it attacked thousands of tourists every year. It also acts as a base camp for mountaineers going to climb the Nanga Parbat and peaks in the Pir Panjal Range.
3. Auli, Uttrakhand
I have already mentioned that my first experience with snowfall was in Auli while trekking to Auli from Joshimath. Auli is one of the best places for enjoying the snow, seeing snowfall, and learning to ski. Auli is full of panoramic sights of mountain peaks of the Himalayas, such as Nanda Devi, Mana Parvat, and Kamat Kamet with beautiful first at the peak.
During winter, the region experiences heavy snowfall, making it a popular destination for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. Auli offers visitors a chance to enjoy the snow-covered slopes and the stunning scenery, while also participating in winter sports. The region’s location and the quality of its ski slopes make it a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists.
4. North Sikkim
North Sikkim is also a good place to play and stay in the snow. During winter months, the region experiences heavy snowfall, making it a popular destination for winter sports and adventure tourism. October- December would be good for heavy snow but you can also find snow somewhere around April as well. Before you go there, always check and confirm if the area is open. At the time of heavy snowfall, this road gets blocked. Also, avoid visiting this place during the monsoon season as the snow starts melting.
5. Manali And Rohtang Pass
Manali is a famous hill station located in Himachal Pradesh. It is surrounded by Himalayan peaks and gorgeous valleys. Rohtang Pass is also near it. So, people generally club both Manali and Rohtang Pass together. blockages and traffic jams are common near Rohtang, so check the conditions before making any plans,
If you want to see snow here, consider October to March for Manali and October to December for Rohtang.
6. Nainital
Nainital is one of the most common destinations for people willing to enjoy snow and snowfalls in winter. This place becomes too crowded around the last week of December and the first week of January every year. The place has lakes and viewpoints. It is also easily accessible and people can enjoy the snow without facing the extraordinarily cool temperatures. The place is also known as the Lake District of India.
Snow Point is one of the best places to view snowfall in Nainital. It is accessible via Ropeway.
Read More, 15 Best Places Near Delhi To Witness Snowfall
7. Dalhousie and Khajjiar
Dalhousie and Khajjiar both are a short distance away from each other and located in Himachal Pradesh. Khajjiar is beautiful and is mostly referred to as the Switzerland of India. Dalhousie used to be a summer retreat for British bureaucrats in the past. Winters here are exceedingly harsh due to very low temperatures and snowfall is really common. Dalhousie and Khajjiar are really beautiful places you should not miss.
8. Shimla
Shimla is another popular and heavily commercialized hill station where you can enjoy snowfalls in winter near Delhi. It has pleasant weather and picturesque scenery. So, it will not disappoint you. In British India, it used to serve as the summer capital of India. Places like Kasauli, Mashobra, and Chail are located quite close to Shimla. So, your trip to Shimla will not be disappointing.
9. Narkanda
Narkanda is known for Skiing, orchards, and lakes full of snow. It is close to the famous hill station Shimla. This place is for those who do not want anything extreme but a good view of snow, skiing, and a hill station. The place sees snowfalls in winter and offers splendid views of the snow-capped Himalayas and dense forests.
10. Ladakh
Ladakh is a region in northern India, known for its cold and arid climate. Snowfall is a common occurrence in winter months, typically from December to February. The amount of snowfall varies from year to year and can have an impact on local tourism and transportation. It is a place for adventure seekers to enjoy the snow and winter.
11. Roopkund Trek
Roopkund Trek is another good place to have a pleasant view of snow and experience snowfall. September – October is the best time to visit the place. After that, it will be covered in full slow, and hard-to-reach. It is an unusual trek and takes 8-9 days long trek to the glacial Roopkund lake. The beautiful snow trek is a very challenging trekking experience. So, it is not for all.
12. Munsiyari, Uttarakhand
Munsiyari is an offbeat snow destination but worth enough to have a visit. People also call I Little Kashmir because of its beautiful views and snow. The place also serves as the base camp for mountaineers and trekkers.
13. Almora, Uttarakhand
Almora is also known for its beautiful winters. It has a rich cultural heritage along with its natural scenic beauty. Snowfall is rare in Almora, but it can occur during the winter months of December and January. You can also visit Ranikhet and Kausani which are close to this place.
14. Katao, Sikkim
Katao is not much known but beautiful enough to go there is an offbeat snowfall destination located at a distance of about 144 km from Gangtok. If you are visiting Gangtok, do not miss this place. It witnesses an ample amount of snowfall, so you will see a good amount of snow you wish to see.
15. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang is also a less-known place in Arunachal Pradesh and people also call it hidden beauty. It has Sky-high mountains covered in snow, gushing waterfalls, and dense forests. The place gets heavy snowfall during December and January. If you are planning to visit North East in winter, you must go there.
Read More, Best treks in India for beginners (Level Easy)
This is the list of the best places to enjoy snow in India. Do share your experiences with us about the places you have visited on this list.
Here are some areas that are known for receiving heavy snowfall:
Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir:
Gulmarg is a popular skiing destination and receives heavy snowfall during the winter months, transforming it into a winter wonderland.
Sonamarg, Jammu and Kashmir:
Another beautiful destination in Jammu and Kashmir, Sonamarg, is known for its pristine landscapes covered in snow during winter.
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh:
Shimla, a well-known hill station, experiences snowfall during the winter, turning its landscapes into a snowy paradise.
Manali, Himachal Pradesh:
Manali, situated at a higher altitude, receives heavy snowfall, attracting tourists for winter sports and scenic beauty.
Auli, Uttarakhand:
Auli is a popular skiing destination in Uttarakhand, known for its snow-covered slopes and breathtaking views.
Lambasingi, also known as the “Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh,” is a small village in the Chintapalle Mandal of Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh, India. While it is known for its cool climate and is often referred to as the “Frozen South,” it does not typically experience snowfall.
Lambasingi’s temperature can drop significantly during the winter months, and frost is not uncommon. The minimum temperatures can reach low levels, leading to a frosty landscape, but it doesn’t usually result in snowfall. The unique climate of Lambasingi has earned it a reputation as one of the coldest places in the southern part of India.
Yes, Darjeeling, located in the Indian state of West Bengal, is known to experience snowfall during the winter months. The winter season in Darjeeling typically spans from December to February. During this time, temperatures can drop significantly, especially at higher altitudes, leading to the possibility of snowfall.
The snowfall in Darjeeling is not as heavy or frequent as in some other Himalayan regions, but it does occur, particularly in areas like Tiger Hill and the higher reaches of the town. The snow-capped landscapes enhance the scenic beauty of Darjeeling, making it a popular destination for winter tourism.
No, Ooty (Udhagamandalam), located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India, does not experience snowfall. Ooty has a pleasant and mild climate throughout the year due to its lower altitude compared to many other hill stations in the northern part of the country.
While Ooty is renowned for its scenic beauty, lush green landscapes, and tea gardens, the temperatures in the winter season are generally cool but not cold enough to support snowfall. The winter months in Ooty, from November to February, see temperatures ranging from around 5 to 15 degrees Celsius (41 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit).
