India is blessed with a diverse topography and landscapes which allows its visitors to witness varied scenery in different corners of the country. As such, India’s mountains are known for being some of the toughest and the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world. Located at high altitudes, these mountainous regions make for some of the best places to see snowfall in India, where you can witness fresh snowfall if you plan your visit for the right time. With the regions of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh already embracing a fresh blanket of snowfall, there has never been a better time to visit these places to experience the magic of a mesmerizing snowfall. It’s so much fun to play in the snow, making snowmen and throwing snowballs, even when the cold snow numbs your hands! The pain of the cold snow is just worth suffering for the beauty that you find yourself in. And if you are anything like me, you’re already planning for the perfect place for a snowfall getaway in India. To make your job easier, here is a list of best travel destinations in India where you are guaranteed to see snowfall in 2024. Read along to find out more about these snowfall getaways and the perfect time to visit them.
List of 10 Best Places to See Snowfall in India
- Manali in Himachal
- Mussoorie in Uttarkhand
- Shimla in Himachal
- Gulmarg in Jammu & Kashmir
- Auli in Uttarakhand
- Dhanaulti in Uttarakhand
- Narkanda in Himachal
- Zuluk in Sikkim
- Ladakh
- Lambasingi in Andhra Pradesh
Check out: Affordable Tour Packages for India
Manali: For Outstanding Views and Chilling Vibes
The beginning of the November itself hints that there’ll be snowfall in Manali. Amongst the top tourist attractions, Manali is also people’s favourite destination to witness snowfall in Himachal Pradesh.
The best way to enjoy snowfall in Manali to either book a hotel/homestay in Old Manali and watch the snow forming a blanket out on the mountains right from your window or sit in one of the artsy cafes with a steaming mug of coffee or you know, the good ol’ Old Monk. The adventure enthusiasts can head to Solang Valley where many adventure activities like skiing await.
Recommended Tour Packages
Mussoorie: For that Impregnable Stroll on the Mall Road
Another popular tourist destination, Mussoorie is a perfect destination to see snowfall in Uttarakhand. However, in order to witness a good amount of snowfall, it is best to plan a visit to Mussoorie between mid-December and mid-February.
While all the attractions in Mussoorie are open for the public in winter, nothing beats the experience of strolling on the Mall Road while it’s snowing.
Recommended Tour Packages
Shimla: For the Best Family Holiday
When it comes to winter getaways, nothing matches the popularity of Shimla. Therefore, if you want to see snowfall in Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is not going to disappoint you.
The best time to plan your visit is however, between December and February but don’t be surprised if you see the city swarmed with tourists; like you many others consider Shimla to be the best place for a snow experience in Himachal.
Recommended Tour Packages
Gulmarg: For the Best Skiing Experience
There’s much more to winter than making snowmen and snowballs. In destinations like Gulmarg in Kashmir, snow has an important role to play for skiers visiting from around the world. Gulmarg is widely-acclaimed as the best skiing destination in India, not only it has the best slopes, it greatly boasts one of India’s highest and longest cable car projects, Gulmarg Gondola.
Mid-January to late February is the best time for skiing in Gulmarg. The skiing in Gulmarg is open for both beginners and experienced individuals, I mean what more do you want?
Check out: Gulmarg Tourism Holiday Packages
Auli: For a Memorable Skiing Experience and Himalayan Views
Coming only second to Gulmarg, Auli in Uttarakhand is your best bet when it comes to witnessing snowfall in the winter season as well as enjoying skiing and snowboarding in India.
The place is also famous for one of the longest cable car rides in India starting from Joshimath. Auli is a beautiful destination with panoramic views of the Himalayan Peaks including the second tallest mountain in India, Nanda Devi (7816 m). January to February is the snowfall time in Auli.
Check out: Auli Snow View Trekking Itinerary
Dhanaulti: For A Quiet Yet Fun Holiday
Even though Dhanaulti hasn’t gained as much popularity as its neighbouring hill station of Mussoorie, it surely is the best place for winter tourism. Dhanaulti is the kind of place where you can visit with family or a partner.
You can witness snowfall in Dhanaulti as early as December. We recommend booking your hotel in advance because even if the place is still lesser-known, it does see its share of heavy tourism in the winter season.
Recommended Tour Packages
Narkanda: For Enjoying Snow to the Heart’s Content
Mostly treated as a pitstop to several travel destinations in Himachal, Narkanda lacks any potential of becoming the best winter place to see snow.
The snowfall here is mostly recorded in the month of December but then in November also, it is not an unusual sight. Narkanda is also gaining popularity gradually for offering an opportunity of skiing.
Other Interesting Blog to Read
Zuluk: For the Best Peaceful Holiday
One of the popular holiday destinations to travel to in winter, Zuluk is located in East Sikkim. This place is one of the top-rated places in Northeast India to experience snowfall, peace and adventure in the lap of the Eastern Himalayan Range.
Also treated as one of the popular honeymoon destinations, Zuluk turns into a white meadow from December to February. Travel to Thambi Viewpoint, which is situated at 3,413 metres to enjoy the breathtaking moments of snowfall in Zuluk.
Other Interesting Blogs to Read
Ladakh: Best Place for The Adventurous Souls
Visiting Ladakh in winter offers magical moments to cherish forever. Having said that, winter in Ladakh is harsh and everything becomes frozen due to temperature falls, which sometimes become -30 degrees or -40 degrees at night.
But, once you land in the magical land, you will become surprised to notice how life goes on as usual in this cold land. The snow lands with the clear blue sky create a perfect combination of picture-perfect landscapes to capture and frame them in your living room to treasure for life.
Other Interesting Blog to Read
Lambasingi: Only Place in South India where Snow Falls
In the local language, Lambasingi, which is located 100 kilometres away from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, means Korra Bayalu. The words mean “if someone stays out in the open they would freeze like a stick!”
And, it happens from November to January in the early morning (sometimes 4 AM to 9 AM). Temperature falls below sub-zero and snow starts falling to make Lambasingi a magical place to visit in winter in South India.
Other Interesting Blogs to Read
I am confident, these winter destinations in north India will not disappoint you. Do let us know if this blog helped you in planning your vacation in the comment box below, we’ll be happy to hear from you.
Important Travel Guide Resources
Like & Follow our social media accounts at Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin & Instagram for getting the latest updates & offers on holiday packages.
Disclaimer: We do not take credit for some of the licenced paid images used in our blogs, whether from Google Images, Fotolia & Shutterstock. All such images are the copyrights of their respective owners and we try to provide credit for them wherever we can. If, however, any copyright image has been used on our blog, the concerned person can either mail us directly to remove the image or provide credit to whomsoever the image may belong to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.What are the best months to see snowfall in India?
The best months to see snowfall in India are December, January, and February.
Q.Which places in India can I visit to see snowfall in January?
Shimla, Manali, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Auli, Mussoorie, Nainital are some of the best places you must visit to see snowfall in January.
Q. Can we see snowfall in October in India?
Yes, in places like Rohtang Pass and many places in Ladakh, snowfall can be witnessed in India in October.
Q.What are some places to visit in Sikkim to see snowfall?
Some of the best places to visit in Sikkim to snowfall are Tsomgo Lake, Yuksom, Nathula Pass, Lachung, Lachen, Yumthang Valley, Ravangla and Zuluk.
Q.Where in north India can we see snowfall?
In states like Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, snowfall can be witnessed in the winter season in India.
Q.Does it snow in Arunachal Pradesh?
Yes, one can visit snow in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang and areas around it in the winter season.
About the author
From the Lake District, Nainital, Nidhi Singh is a travel writer whose love for mountains can be seen in her write ups. Talk about solo travelling, indulging in adventure activities, binging on good food, planning budget trips or the Aurora Borealis and you will get all her attention. It is the wanderlust that keeps her going and if at all she could get one wish granted she would love to live a life less ordinary. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
+91-9212777225
Plan Your trip
