22 Places To See Snowfall In India, For A Fairy Tale Experience

Are you one of those who have never seen snow in their lives? If yes, then this article will surely motivate you to pack your bags! If not, then I am sure you know what a fairy-tale like feeling it is! And by that I am not referring to people who ‘have to’ deal with snow as they reside in such hilly regions as for them it becomes a task to manage everything in sub-zero chilling conditions. However, if you are a traveller and have travelled to far away places only in the search of snow, then you know the importance of it! The sight of mountains and trees covered in a sparkling white sheet leaves you awestruck; and witnessing a snow fall, makes you believe in fairy tales.

Let us take a look at some of the spectacular places in India which will leave you speechless and will give you ‘snow-studded’ memories of your lifetime!

1. Shimla

Shimla is located at an elevation of 7,467 feet in Himachal Pradesh. One of the most frequented hills stations of the country, Shimla experiences snow between the winter months of December and February. It is well connected with the areas around via well-maintained highways. The sight of the whole town covered in snow and snowflakes falling from the sky is simply breathtaking. While here, along with snow, there is so much to do and so many places which you can explore.

2. Dhanaulti

Sitting at an altitude of 7,500 feet in Uttarakhand, Dhanaulti is another place which is well connected with the surrounding areas through highways. It is close to Mussoorie which is one of the most popular tourist destinations. Dhanaulti during the months of January and February turns into a beautiful fairy-tale like town covered in a white blanket of snow. Come here to experience a blissful snow in a quaint town, like never before.

3. Manali

At an elevation of 6,730 feet, Manali is one such place where you can go anytime of the year to experience the beauty of nature and get away from the maddening world. However, if you visit Manali in January, you will witness sheer beauty of a sparkling white snow blanket all around! Trees and roads covered in snow, almost freezing rivers and frozen waterfalls, are some of the most amazing sights of Manali during this time.

4. Solang Valley

Located at 8,400 feet near Manali in Himachal Pradesh, Solang Valley during the months between December and February looks like a place straight from heaven! Surrounded by snow clad high peaks of Himalayas, clear skies and whole of the valley covered in snow – is a sight to behold! Come here for winter adventures sports or skiing or simply for the sheer joy of being in the company of snow covered hills.

5. Narkanda

Not too far away from Shimla, lies this quaint town of Narkanda in Himachal Pradesh, which turns into a ski resort in the months from Mid-December to February. At a elevation of 9,060 feet and 65 kms from Shimla, this is a quieter and more peaceful place to experience the snow and indulge in winter sports of various sorts as well as skiing.

6. Mussoorie

It is called ‘Queen of the hills’ for a reason and the reason being this is one hill station where you can go anytime of the year to enjoy nature at its best. However, if you have always visited this hill station during summers but never during winters, you are missing something! Mussoorie receives snowfall from in the months between mid-December to February. At an elevation of 6,579 feet in Uttarakhand, it is a well connected with all surrounding areas via well maintained and fully equipped (with facilities) highways.

7. Nainital

Considered one of the ‘best shinning diamonds of the Himalayan Belt’, Nainital is a spectacular sight during the months between mid – December till February when it snows. Imagine an almost frozen lake surrounded by a hills covered in white snow – picture perfect, right? Nainital is situated at a height of 6,837 feet in Uttarakhand in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas.

8. Munsiyari

Munsiyari lies at an altitude of 7,200 feet Uttarakhand at the base of the mighty Himalayan range and is the starting point of various treks that go into the interiors of the range. Its name itself means ‘a place with snow’ and the place is sheer bliss for honeymooners, snow adventure seekers and skiers during the months beginning from November till mid-March. During these months the temperature goes below sub zero and the whole town of Munsiyari gets covered in a sheet of white snow.

9. Auli

Located at an altitude of 8,219 feet in the Garhwal Himalays, Auli’s slopes are comparable to the best in the world for skiing. You can take up training courses in skiing as well, which are conducted in modules of 7 days and 14 days. Auli is around 175 kms from Dehradun and the journey can be covered in around 6 hours by road. And from Joshimath, it is only 13 kms. Auli’s slopes are surrounded by coniferous and oak forests with a panoramic view of many Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat and Dunagiri. To encourage tourism in Auli, it has been provided with a 4 km cable car (longest in Asia), a chairlift and a ski lift. While Auli is blessed with a pleasant climate during most of the year, if you simple want to go for the snow/skiing then you should visit anytime from October to February.

10. Sonmarg

Sonmarg is considered a trekker’s heaven with adventurous routes comprising of beautiful green waters and frozen lakes. Situated in a valley at the bank of Nallah Sing, it lies at an elevation of 9,200 feet in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Sonmarg is blessed with two great Himalayan glaciers and many peaks above 5,000 metres like Sirbal Peak, Kolhoi Peak, Amarnath Peak and Malchoi Peak. Although it rains a lot in Sonmarg, snowfall can be witnessed anytime between November and April.

11. Pahalgam

Another gem from the Kashmir Valley is Pahalgam which is located at an altitude of 8,990 feet. This small town located on the banks of river Lidder is also associated with the annually conducted Amarnath Yatra. Skiing is done during the months starting from October to February in Pahalgam, entirely depending on when it starts to snow which is more during December and January. While here, do not forget to explore Chandanwari and Betaab Valley; you can ride on ponies or just explore the town walking.

12. Gulmarg

The perfect time to be in Gulmarg for skiing is between the months of December and early April. Gulmarg is known to be one of the places having the world’s highest Gondolas/cable cars. The skiing areas are divided into two parts – the high mountain slopes for pros and on the hills of the Gulmarg Golf Course for beginners. Located at a elevation of 8,690 feet, Gulmarg is situated in the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a world class skiing destination with the facility of heliskiingas well and great snow and slopes for a thrilling skiing experience.

13. Ladakh

Located in Jammu and Kashmir, it makes for an adventurous skiing ground on the long but steep slopes of Himalayas extending between Siachen Glacier and the Karakoram range of the Himalayas. Ladakh also has facilities to explore heliskiing and the best time to visit is during the period of November to March.

14. Kufri

Kufri is a quieter place to witness snow and a relatively more easily accessible place for skiing as compared to the previously mentioned places and offers great opportunities for skiing. Located at 8,630 feet in Himachal Pradesh, it lies about 16 kms from Shimla which is one of the most visited hill stations of northern India. The best time to go skiing in Kufri is during the months of mid-December and February. Here, you can go Heli-skiing as well and if you are looking for more thrilling slopes for skiing, then head to Mahsu ridge which has more elevation that Kufri.

15. Patnitop

At a height of 6,640 feet in Jammu & Kashmir, Patnitop is a winter wonderland from the months of October till February when it snows. You can indulge in various winter sports and skiing or simply be mesmerised by the beauty of snow all around.

16. North Sikkim

Sikkim boasts of many places in its north, perfect to enjoy snow and snow related activities, such as Yumthang Valley, Yumesamdong, Katao and Zero Point. While all these places are a thing of beauty with colorful flowers all around, winters sees them in a completely different avatar – covered in a white sheet of snow!

17. Hemkund Sahib

Located at an elevation of a whopping 15,200 feet in Uttarakhand is Hemkund Sahib, a Sikh place of worship and pilgrimage dedicated to Guru Gobind Singh Ji (the tenth Sikh Guru). It has a glacial setting and is surrounded by seven mountain peaks, offering breathtaking views all around. You can witness snow here during the month of December. The name Hemkund is made from two Sanskrit words, ‘Hem’ which means snow and ‘Kund’ which means bowl.

18. Dalhousie

Dalhousie lies on an around 5 hills, at an elevation on 6,460 feet in Himachal Pradesh. It is one of most popular hill stations of the north and is surrounded by snow clad peaks of the grand Himalayas. To experience snow here, the best time to visit would be in the months of December and January.

19. Almora

A town quite heard of but less frequented, Almora maintains its old world charm and retaining its Kumaon culture. The picturesque town is located at an altitude of 5,387 feet in Uttarakhand. If lucky, you might be able to experience a snowfall in the months of December and January.

20. Natula Pass

This pass connects Sikkim and China’s Tibet Autonomous Region and lies at an elevation of 14,140 feet. While it snows throughout the winter months, the roads leading to Nathu La Pass are blocked. However, the roads remain open during the months of November and February and you can see snow in Nathu La Pass during these two months.

21. Tawang

This picturesque town in Arunachal Pradesh lies at an altitude of 8,757 feet and is home to a ski lift which makes it to be one of the places to enjoy skiing at. Tawang receives snowfall in the months of December and January and it is the perfect time to visit this beautiful place to indulge in winter sports or experience the wonders of snow!

22. Tsongmo Lake

Also known as Changu Lake, it is a glacial lake located at an elevation of 12,313 feet in Sikkim. It is around 40 kms from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim and is surrounded by steep mountains which get covered in snow during the winter months. The most preferred time to visit Tsongmo Lake to enjoy snow is from mid-December to mid-February.

Apart from these mentioned places, there are several small town in India which receive a fair amount of snow in winters. We have just name the most popular of those. Having said that, even few of the places mentioned here might not get their share of snow fall every year. Therefore, it is always advised to confirm with the weather forecast department to ascertain the possibility of snow fall, in case that is the main purpose of your visit.