Snigdha TiwariAre you planning a trip to “Snowy Wonderlands In India“?
With majestic peaks, mouth-watering cuisine, and world-class skiing, these winter havens provide exceptional settings to enjoy the snow, slopes, and warmth of a fire. Take a break from the ordinary and travel to these snowy places that won’t fail to mesmerize you and give you the most dream-like experiences ever. Not a skier? No problem! These retreats offer a variety of activities, both on and off the mountain, and for all members of the family.
By this point of the winter season, many of us are seeing snowflakes fall from the sky and collect in our yards and on our highways. Snow means different things to different people: epic days on the slopes for skiers, excitement and fun for kids, and grueling traffic for corporate commuters. But whatever you think of it, some places definitely see a lot more snow than others.
The Winter season is the time of the year when the snow graces us with its breathtaking beauty and every place experiencing snowfall transforms into a white snowy spread of absolute delight.
So, check out India’s best snowy destinations and start planning for your trip to these “Snowy Wonderlands”.
Here are the 6 Beautiful Places In India Which Turn Into Snowy Wonderlands During Winter.
1. Kashmir (Jammu & Kashmir)
Why even think of Switzerland, when you have Kashmir? Known for its lakes and gardens, Kashmir (J&K) is the northern-most state of India that shares its borders with Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
We all know how beautiful Kashmir is during winters. The views of snow-covered meadows, mesmerizing peaks, thrilling adventure sports, and astonishing frozen lakes can make a person fall in love with this paradise on earth. The natural beauty and picturesque locations have made it a favored destination for travelers across the world.
Considerably fewer tourists go to Kashmir in winter than summer and this gives you the perfect opportunity to plan your trip to this land of heaven.
During winter, the temperature in Kashmir drops downs to zero and even minus degrees that is the time when the lakes and pools in the region get covered by the thick sheet of the ice making them the perfect place for ice skating and ice hockey in India.
You can enjoy fresh snow in Gulmarg. Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism department also organizes the “Gulmarg snow festival” in the ending week of December. It is a bouquet of various snow activities like skiing, ice skating, and snowboarding. If you have more time you can also visit Sonamarg and Pahalgam for more snow.
The joy of traveling to Kashmir in the winter season is an experience indescribable. So, when you plan a trip during winter in India, put Kashmir on the top of your list as this place becomes a land from a fairytale.
2. Manali (Himachal Pradesh)
Manali is a high-altitude Himalayan resort town in India’s northern Himachal Pradesh state which has known as a backpacking center and honeymoon destination.
Winter is considered to be the best time to visit Manali, mainly because of the good amount of snowfall it receives. The mountains all around covered under a thick sheet of snow become a feast for the eyes.
Set on the Beas River, it’s a gateway for skiing in the Solang Valley and trekking in Parvati Valley. It’s also a jumping-off point for paragliding, rafting, and mountaineering in the Pir Panjal mountains.
When visiting Manali in winters, you can also enjoy all types of snow activities like snow tubing, snow scooter rides, snow sledding, skiing, zorbing in snow, etc.
That’s the reason why everyone heads to Manali not only to escape the stifling heat of the plains but to see this Himachal hill town in all its glory, there’s no better time than winter when the entire landscape is carpeted by a blanket of snow.
Manali is a paradise for outdoor and adventure lovers that is bound to leave you surprised by its natural beauty making that’s why it is one of the most beautiful, romantic, serene, tranquil, and wonderful getaways to visit during winter.
3. Gangtok (Sikkim)
Extremely alluring, pleasantly boisterous, and wreathed in clouds, Gangtok is the capital of the mountainous northern Indian state of Sikkim that gives you a spectacular view of Mt. Kanchenjunga, at a distant skyline.
Nestled in mountains and clouds Gangtok is also a base for a whole lot of trekkers to the Himalayan mountain ranges whose mesmerizing prismatic beauty and the beautiful winding hill roads are even more breathtaking if seen from a bird’s eye view in a cable car.
Winter is extreme in Gangtok and it can be very cold out there particularly early in the mornings and at nights. It is a wonderful destination year-round but especially gorgeous in winter that offers a great chance to witness clear views of the enchanting Himalayan peaks, however, the temperatures can go below freezing point beginning from December to February. It is the perfect time to visit for the spectacular view of the snowcapped mountains.
Snow adventures are also abundant, therefore making it the best time to visit Gangtok. This season opens up to the beautiful views of the mountains and valleys with clear blue skies in the background where the blend of warm sunshine and cool breeze promises every visitor an unforgettable vacation of indulging in amazing things to do with your family and friends.
4. Auli (Uttrakhand)
Known for its scenic beauty and as a premier destination for adventure sports in the snow, Auli is a Himalayan ski resort and hill station in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand.
It’s surrounded by coniferous and oak forests, plus the Nanda Devi and Nar Parvat mountains. A long cable car links Auli to the town of Joshimath. North of Auli is the colorful Badrinath Temple, a Hindu pilgrimage site, and the Valley of Flowers National Park, with its alpine flora and wildlife like snow leopards and red foxes.
Auli is a year-round destination but winter turns it into a fairytale destination that no one wants to miss where you can experience and capture jaw-dropping panoramic views of the valleys and surrounding hills.
From calm and thrilling treks, fresh snow, and adventure sports, Auli has everything to satisfy your wants and needs.
A certain charm falls over Auli in winter and December is the perfect time to experience it yourself where you can simply soak in the ethereal beauty of the snow-covered destination.
5. Shimla (Himachal Pradesh)
Shimla is the capital of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, in the Himalayan foothills that become a beautiful winter wonderland during the winter season.
Winter is the best season to experience the breathtakingly beautiful valleys and the snow-capped mountains of Shimla which is nothing more tempting than to explore the beautiful town covered in white snow.
It offers a wonderful holiday experience full of adventure, romance, and complete spiritual as well as inner relaxation. It’s also known for the handicraft shops that line The Mall, a pedestrian avenue, as well as the Lakkar Bazaar, a market specializing in wooden toys and crafts.
But, the mesmerizing views of the snow-covered peaks and gorgeous landscapes are worth witnessing.
So, get ready to chill in this beautiful winter wonderland where you can admire the beauty of the white flakes from your window while you are snug in the comfort of your hotel room which in winter usually gets covered with the snowy white blanket that makes everyone falls in love with it.
6. Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh)
Looking for an escape into the magical mountains of Arunachal Pradesh? Look no further than Tawang.
Known for many important and beautiful monasteries and is famous as the birthplace of Dalai Lama, Tawang is a charming little hill station in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, situated at an elevation of approximately 3,048 mt to the east of Bhutan.
The beautiful town of Tawang, also pronounced as Dawang has many sceneries to make your trip a picturesque one.
Tawang is a place that will flatter you with its natural beauty wrapped in the scent of spirituality. The winter season in Tawang is known to be harshly cold that remains quite cold till the mid of March. But on clear days, you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the mighty Himalayan peaks visible from Tawang and can also make visits to the nearby tourist attractions. So, if you are lucky enough, you can go visit the beauty of the high altitude frozen lakes in the vicinity of Tawang.
If you are planning to visit Tawang in the peak winter months then make sure you have packed well for the biting cold weather and you have some extra days on your card just in case you get lucky to catch theatrics of live snowfall in this pretty Himalayan town.
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