Some holiday enthusiasts like the chill and thrill of snowy lands – to ski, to play with snowballs, and to walk and roll in the snow is their idea of having fun. India enjoys a large variety of climates, and a few areas up in the North also get to experience snow and fog during the winters, and are fit for these snow enthusiasts. We have tried to make the task easier for those looking for a snow destination in India, these winters, by preparing this list.

Manali, Himachal Pradesh

When to Visit: Mid December-January
Distance from Delhi:  550km

Manali is a popular winter destination for tourists. The snow-clad mountains and fields of Manali are simply beautiful, and offer a variety of snow-sports like skiing. October to February is the peak season when many tourists visit Manali to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve. To top it off, Manali has a great mall area, where one will find a lot of interesting things, from fruit flavored wines to indigenously produced woolly weaves.

Kufri, Himachal Pradesh

When to Visit: December-January
Distance from Delhi:  370km

Kufri turns into a snowy haven in winter! With fresh snow all around, and snow clad pine and deodar trees, the place looks like a postcard picture. The place was founded by the British in 1819, and over the last fifty years has turned into a tourist hotspot. Kufri got its name from ‘kufr’ meaning lake. It is a great snow-sport place, facilitating sports like skiing, tobogganing and go-carting. The skiing slopes of Kufri are some of the oldest in the Himachal Pradesh, and the town also holds snow statue making competitions.

Narkanda, Himachal Pradesh

When to Visit: January-February
Distance from Delhi:  420km

At about 2700 meters, Narkanda is a beautiful snowy destination in the Himalayas. With cascading slopes of snow, dense forests and apple orchards; Narkanda attracts tourists in large numbers, every winter. Apart from skiing, Narkanda has other tourist attractions – the Hatu peak, which offers trekkers a rigorous route; theTannuJubbar Lake with calm waters and a Nag deity temple and Jallori Pass. Narkanda is an interesting place to visit and explore.

Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir

When to Visit: December-January
Distance from Delhi:  840km

The snow covered Pahalgam vies for its place as a winter tourist destination. It offers snowy roads, winter sports, cozy cottages, interesting malls and other attractions. Pahalgam is essentially a valley of shepherds, a sleepy town that turns in to a bustling town in winters. If you are a snow lover, try Pahalgam and its charms this winter.

Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir

When to Visit: December-January
Distance from Delhi:  910km

Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir is a beautiful place in autumn and winters. Covered with a beautiful white blanket of snow, it lures tourists who love to spend their holidays playing with snow, making snowballs and snowman. The place is famous for its ‘Gulmarg Gondola’ cable car, the highest if its kind in the world. This cable car glides up to high altitudes, offering fabulous views of the snow-covered landscape.

Auli, Uttranchal

When to Visit: December-January
Distance from Delhi:  500km

Auli is a small but beautiful winter destination where thick, white snow blankets the slopes and lines the streets and houses. It offers great skiing opportunities to beginners and pros alike. Auli is situated a bit off the track, and needs to be reached via bus, jeep or taxi. It is connected to various major cities like Rishikesh, Dehradun, Haridwar and Delhi. The drive and all the effort put into reaching Auli is worth the effort. Tourists forget all their travails once they get the glimpse of the snowy landscape.

Munsiyari, Uttranchal

When to Visit: Late December - Early February
Distance from Delhi:  560km

Munsiyari is the place with untouched snow. Thriving on the banks of the Goriganga River it is growing in popularity, and is a favorite joint for nature lovers, snow seekers, mountaineers, skiers and the like. Munsiyari has an ancient historical aspect to it too – it is situated along the ancient salt route form Tibet to India, and is the gateway to the Johar valley.

Dhanaulti, Uttarakhand

When to Visit: December-January
Distance from Delhi:  300km

One off beat snow place for the winter tourist is Dhanaulti in Uttarakhand. At about 2000 meters above the sea level, this place is known for its pristine beauty. It is picturesque with its oak, deodar and rhododendron forests. Offering a white, snowy carpet at your feet during winters, Dhanaulti welcomes you warmly to its chilly chambers. Walk in the snow, play in the snow and have a great time at Dhanaulti with your family.

Yumthang Valley, Sikkim

When to Visit: October-December
Distance from Delhi:  1700km

Snows of the Yumthang Valley are pristine and alluring. Snow lovers will enjoy watching the snow falling and gently covering the tree tops, layering the roofs, and the roads of the valley. Best time to visit this place is October, November and December. The valley is surrounded by places of interest like the Gurudomar Lake and Yumesamdong (Zero Point). Winters are freezing cold and snowy in the Yumthang Valley – a place for those who like to chill in sub-zero temperatures.

Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

When to Visit: December-March
Distance from Delhi:  2400km

Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh is a snow lover’s paradise. In winter it is white all over, exuding an aura of calmness, filling one with awe and wonder. A quiet, spiritual place, the Tawang Monastry lends a mystic air to this white wonderland. This gateway to Tibet is located at a height of about 8000 feet and to reach it one has to drive up the narrow meandering roads – an exciting and adventurous drive through the mountains.

So, have a great time making snowballs and snowmen and skiing to your heart’s content!

Nicole

A poet with a penchant for prose and the itch to travel, Nicole Reed is an assistant editor and features writer for a daily newspaper, struggling to find a way out of the concrete mess by dreaming of one day living and breathing off words in an idyllic country setting somewhere. Having been editor of her college magazine, written for a number of publications including Shamiana’s short film newsletter and as a current student of Literature from the University of London, Nicole sees writing like travel - an adventure – a journey to find her place, to define and redefine who she is over and over again and to live and learn through the process.