Best Hill Stations in India with Snowfall

Known For : Jakhu Temple Mall Road, Shimla Rashtrapati Niwas (Viceregal Lodge)

Shimla, time and again, has been one of the most preferred holiday destinations in India. Even during the time of the British Raj, Shimla was the summer capital and even today; it houses the official retreat building of the President of India.

Shimla during winter is an entirely different experience. The beauty of Shimla is magnified during snowfall. You can take walks on the Mall Road or simply enjoy the view of a snow-clad Shimla during the day and an all illuminated one during the nighttime.

Best Time To Witness Snowfall: Unlike previous times, the snowfall starts in January and lasts till February. The best bet would be mid-January when one is most likely to experience snowfall.

Best Time: October to June

65 Shimla Attractions

Known For : Auli Ropeway Skiing in Auli Joshimath

Situated at the height of 8,200 feet, Auli is a hill station in Uttarakhand, with ideal slopes for skiing in winters. It is located in the Chamoli district in the Garhwal region and is a huge meadow or Bugyal which receives a thick blanket of snow every winter.  It has beautiful resorts which offer enthralling views of the Himalayas. Here, you can go on nature walks, indulge in photography, or simply sit in your cottages and sip on some hot tea.

Best Time To Witness Snowfall: December - March

Best Time: December - February

12 Auli Attractions

Known For : Dal Lake Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden

Winters in Srinagar are cold, and the city gets covered in a blanket of snow. The Dal Lake freezes over and becomes ideal for ice skating. Srinagar has a beautiful landscape where you can indulge in boating on shikaras and explore the night bazaar of Dal Lake while sipping on a kahwa or spend a night on a boathouse watching the illuminated city of Srinagar.

Best Time To Witness Snowfall: December - March

Best Time: April to October

59 Srinagar Attractions

Known For : Gulmarg Gondola Alpather Lake Apharwat Peak

Situated in the Baramulla district, Gulmarg is a haven for adventure enthusiasts. You must recognise the slopes of Gulmarg as this was the location for the shooting of Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani.

The meadow receives heavy snowfall in winters and becomes covered in snow. The ideal time to visit is during December to April as then the sloped are ideal for adventure sports like skiing or snowboarding. It also has a high altitude golf course, Alpather Lake which freezes in winter, the Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve and the Khilanmarg valley.

Best Time To Witness Snowfall: December - March

Best Time: October to June

29 Gulmarg Attractions

Known For : Solang Valley Hadimba Devi Temple Manali Mall Road

Solang Valley in Manali is the place to be for winters. You can ski on the slopes of Solang, indulge in mountain biking or partake in paragliding with the snow-clad Himalayas in the background and a breathtaking view of the valley from the top. Rohtang Pass is another popular destination among tourists and the perfect spot to catch some snow.

Best Time To Witness Snowfall: December - March

Best Time: October to June

53 Manali Attractions

Known For : Pangong Lake Khardung La Nubra Valley

Ladakh is every millennial's dream destination.  It houses the famous Zanskar river which completely freezes over in winters and becomes the famous trekking destination known as Chadar trek. While here, you must pay a visit to the iconic Pangong Tso Lake which is an entirely different picture when it is frozen solid. Winters in Ladakh result in snow blocking roads and highways. Therefore, it isn't the perfect time to go on a road trip to Ladakh. However, you can fly to Leh Airport.

Best Time To Witness Snowfall: December - March

Best Time: April - Mid-July

70 Ladakh Attractions

Known For : Nathatop Skiing in Patnitop Patni Top Park

Situated in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, Patnitop is a beautiful hilltop ideal for a visit during winters. It is situated at an elevation of 6,640 feet. The months of January and February are perfect for skiing and sledging on the snow-clad slopes or taking walks among the picturesque beauty of Patnitop. If you are a beginner, fret not, the ski resorts also offer courses for those who are new at skiing. 

Best Time To Witness Snowfall: December - March

Best Time: Throughout the year

13 Patnitop Attractions

Known For : Skiing in Narkanda Hatu Peak Hatu Mata Temple

Narkanda is a small town in Himachal Pradesh with a population of approximately 2,500, situated at a distance of 62 kilometres from the central city of Shimla. It is the ideal place to find snow and the one that had the highest probability. Situated at an altitude of 2,708 metres, Narkanda is also a popular skiing destination.

During January, Narkanda gets covered in a blanket of snow and becomes ideal for all snow-related sports. The skiing slopes are relatively easier than other places in India and perfect for those with no experience.

Best Time To Witness Snowfall: December - March

Best Time: Throughout the year

11 Narkanda Attractions

Known For : Thajiwas Glacier Zoji La Vishansar Lake

Sonamarg is a quaint little hill station in Kashmir, Situated at the height of 2,739 metres. Sonamarg or 'The Meadow of Gold' receives a thick blanket of snow starting from December that lasts even till April. It offers amazing views of the nearby mountain ranges which make for beautiful images. You can also partake in trekking and slide down on snow sledges.  It situated 85 kilometres away from Srinagar and can be reached by road. The drive till Sonamarg through the Sindh Valley is worth it. 

Best Time To Witness Snowfall: December - March

Best Time: May to October

17 Sonamarg Attractions

Yumthang is a valley situated in Northern Sikkim and is a haven for nature lovers. It is situated at the height of 3575 metres and a distance of 150 kilometres from the city of Gangtok. During the winter season, the valley becomes a haven for adventure seekers. People come in huge numbers to indulge in skiing on the snow-clad slopes of the valley. The ideal time for winter sports is from December. As soon as winter arrives, the roads become blocked with huge amounts of snow. 

Best Time To Witness Snowfall: December - March

Sethan is a quaint village in Himachal Pradesh, approximately 12 km from Manali. This Buddhist village is a tiny hamlet that oversees the Dhauladhar range. Covered in snow during winters, Sethan Valley is a great place to try out skiing and snowboarding.

Distance: 45-minute drive away from Manali. 
Cost of hired Car or Taxi: From Manali to Sethan, NR 1200 or INR 1500 depending on the season.