Best Hill Stations in India with Snowfall

Known For : The Ridge Mall Road, Shimla Kufri

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.

You can easily reach the city by taking a train and then the Kalka-Shimla line or by road, which is well maintained and connected to cities like Chandigarh and the capital Delhi. You can also come by air; the airport is located in Jubbarhatti, which is 23 kilometres away from the main city.

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 night time.

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

Best Time: October to June

56 Shimla Attractions

Known For : Skiing in Auli Trishul Peak Auli Ropeway

Situated at the height of 8,200 feet, Auli is a hill station in the state of Uttarakhand which is the most sought-after holiday destination during 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 is breathtakingly beautiful and situated and is lined with deodar and oak trees. It has a lovely climate throughout the year and is ideal for a calm and peaceful break from the monotony of every day.

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. It is a must-visit destination for adventure enthusiast as its slopes are ideal for skiing.

Best Time To Witness Snowfall: December - March

Best Time: Throughout the year

12 Auli Attractions

Known For : Dal Lake Shalimar Bagh Wular Lake

Kashmir valley is considered one of the most beautiful locations in India.

Although parts of Kashmir no longer have the ideal situations which make it safe for a visit, the capital Srinagar is still famous and visited by many tourists from Indian and abroad. 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. Winters in Kashmir are cold, and the city gets covered in a blanket of snow. The Dal Lake freezes over and becomes ideal for ice skating.

Best Time To Witness Snowfall: December - March

Best Time: April to October

39 Srinagar Attractions

Known For : Gulmarg Gondola Skiing in Gulmarg Alpather Lake

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.

Gulmarg during winters is an entirely different picture. The meadow receives heavy snowfall 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

20 Gulmarg Attractions

Known For : Solang Valley Hidimba Temple Old Manali

Located at the height of 6,726 feet, Manali experiences a beautiful climate throughout the year. Manali is a picturesque town nestled in the Beas Valley between the ranges of Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar and is surrounded by apple, plum and pear orchards.

Solang Valley in Manali is the place to be for adventure seekers. As soon as winter arrives, the valley gets heavy snowfall and becomes packed with people indulging in adventure sports. 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

46 Manali Attractions

Known For : Pangong Lake Nubra Valley Leh Palace

Ladakh is every millennial's dream destination. It is the perfect example of a retreat on the mountains, being calm, serene, secluded, and most of it is remote. Ladakh is situated on the longest mountain chains in India, the Kunlun mountain range and the Himalayas at the height of 9,800 feet or more.

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 in, which is the most feasible option as the nearest railway station is in Jammu. The closest airport is in the capital Leh and has regular flights to cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Srinagar, etc.

Best Time To Witness Snowfall: December - March

Best Time: Jun to Sep

61 Ladakh Attractions

Known For : Nathatop Paragliding in Patnitop Skiing in Patnitop

Situated in Udhampur district in the Northern state 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 and is a popular destination among adventure enthusiasts. Come winter season, Patnitop receives huge amounts of snowfall and thus attracts many tourists. 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. You can also indulge in paragliding at Sanasar, which is 17 km away from Patnitop.

Best Time To Witness Snowfall: December - March

Best Time: Throughout the year

12 Patnitop Attractions

Known For : Hatu Peak Skiing in Narkanda Tannu Jubbar Lake

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

6 Narkanda Attractions

Known For : Thajiwas Glacier Zoji La Vishansar Lake

Sonamarg is a quaint little hill station, nestled in a valley between the Himalayas. Situated at the height of 2,739 metres, this town is very remote and has a population of a few hundred. Tourists and mainly those seeking snow mostly visit the place. Sonamarg has beautiful weather throughout the year, although the snow season begins during December.

Sonamarg or 'The Meadow of Gold' receives a thick blanket of snow which 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. Whether you are a photography or an adventure enthusiast, Sonamarg is the place for you.

It situated 85 kilometres away from Srinagar and can be reached by road. The drive till Sonamarg through the Sindh Valley is worth it. You can also travel by air till Srinagar and then take a cab or bus till Sonamarg. Travelling by train isn't advisable as it is neither economical nor feasible.

Best Time To Witness Snowfall: December - March

Best Time: May to October

10 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. You can travel to this beautiful valley by train which is the most feasible option. The railway station is situated in Lachung, and from there, taxis are readily available till Yumthang. The nearest airport in is Gangtok, and then one will have to travel by road till this valley. Although the entire road journey can be a little taxing, the destination is worth it.

Best Time To Witness Snowfall: December - March