Let It Snow: Hit These 10 Places In India Soon If You Want To Witness Snowfall

This tiny hamlet shot to fame from 2018 onward, thanks to the budding experiential hostels and homestays in the area, that provided employment to the locals there. Come November end, and the whole valley is covered in thick snow. This sleepy village, located in Banjar Valley, in the Kullu district of Himachal has quite a few tourist spots for you to explore. But come here mainly for having a peaceful getaway from the bustling city life, and to do the famous Jalori Pass trek, that shot to fame after Bunny and Naina from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani were shown trekking here. We have your attention now, don't we? 

Best Time To Visit For Snow: November end to March 1st week 

Stay At: Mudhouse Experiential Hostels, The Hosteller, Treehouse Jibhi, The Tragopanerie 

What To See: Rainbow waterfall, Shoja village, Mini Thailand spot (also known as Lotla), Tirthan Valley, Jalori Pass treks, Balu temple and Bahu village hike 

How To Travel: Take a flight to Delhi, and a midnight bus from Kashmiri Gate/Majnu Ka Tilla to Aut. From Aut, you've got to take a bus to Jibhi's main market, or just cab it up for convenience. 

Move over Manali and its neighboring town Sissu. Not saying they aren't great places. But literally, everyone's skiing there. Do something different instead and head to Kufri. This one's a small hill station situated near Shimla, and also a great alternative to it. And being situated in the southern part of the state of Himachal Pradesh, Kufri is extremely famous for its thick snow covers and ambrosial beauty. Snowfall here is something every traveler must witness at least once. Kufri is also a paradise for Skiing lovers and at the peak of winters, this place is full of skiing enthusiasts.

Best Time To Visit For Snow: October end to March end. There is an annual winter sports festival every year in Kufri, in the month of February. The fair is extremely popular among snow sports and adventure enthusiasts. So that's definitely the best month to visit Kufri 

Stay At: Sterling Kufri, The Last Village, Galleu Hill Resort 

What To See: Kufri Ski Resort, Himalayan Nature Park, Mahasu Peak, Kufri Fun World, Indira Tourist Park 

How To Travel: Take a flight to either the Jubbarhatti airport near Shimla and then drive to Kufri, which is just about 21 kilometres away from the capital. Or board a flight that's Chandigarh-bound, take a bus from there to Shimla, and then cab it up till Kufri 

Another popular destination for skiing, if you're doing Uttarakhand, is Auli.  Imagine watching the magnificent peaks of Nanda Devi, Neelkanth, and Mana Parbat and skiing in the white snow while you're at it. A total paisa-vasool, no? The word Auli refers to a meadow, and this hill station is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. You can camp and ride the gondola when you visit Auli, apart from just indulging in skiing, snowboarding, or snow trekking here.  

Best Time To Visit For Snow: December 1st week to March-end 

Stay At: The Tattva Resort, XRA Cottage, Mountain Rover, Cliff Top Club Auli 

What To See: Auli artificial lake, Nanda Devi national park, Kuari Pass trek, Joshimath, Trishul Peak 

How To Travel: Take a bus from Delhi to Rishikesh, and then hop into a 9-hour cab ride to Auli from there. Or, take a direct flight to the Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun. From there, you can take a bus to Joshimath, and then enter Auli through a ropeway ride.

Known as ‘The Little Kashmir’, Munsiyari is situated in the Pithoragarh district of the state. This scenic hill station experiences beautiful snowfall and becomes a winter wonderland. It is home to breathtaking view of the Panchachuli Peaks which include Nanda Devi and Nandakot. Apart from being an ideal destination for nature lovers, it is a place for those seeking some adventure in the Kumaon Hills. One can even go for an exhilarating Snow Leopard Trek in the winter season here. Make sure you take a local guide with you though! 

Best Time To Visit For Snow: November end to mid-March 

Stay At: Jayanti Mother Nature homestay and Bala Paradise 

What To See: Birthi Falls, Maheshwari Kund, Panchachuli peak, Kalamuni top, river rafting in Gori Ganga river 

How To Travel: Take a flight and get off at the Pantnagar airport, and then take a local cab or bus to Munsiyari. 

Winter vacation in Kashmir will be a lot more fun if you visit Sonmarg, fondly known as the meadow of gold. Beautiful snowy mountains in the background, mesmerizing Sindh river, a pony trip to Thajiwas Glacier, beautiful views of Kashmir countryside and clear white blankets of snow will make your day here. It is the best place for sleigh riding which you can try at Zero point. Sonmarg is also a base point for starting Amarnath Yatra, one of the most important pilgrimage journeys for devotees. The Dachigam National Park located here is home to the critically endangered hangul or the Kashmir stag. Whether you like to quietly admire nature or get active and go trekking, Sonamarg is the place for you! 

Best Time To Visit For Snow: November to March 

What To See: Satsar, Gadsar lakes, Baltar valley, Thajivas glacier, Zoji-La Pass Yusmarg

How To Travel: Get off at the Srinagar airport, and cab it up for 70 kilometers to Sonmarg 

Known as the ‘Anand of Kashmir’, or the 'Delight of Kashmir', this small yet scenic town is famous for its waterfalls, natural springs, apple orchards, and historical attractions that will make your days worth spending here. During winters, the entire land is decked in white glittery snow. The delightful picturesque mountains all around and scenic vistas of waterfalls and the grandeur of historical places make Pulwama a one-of-a-kind destination to visit in Winter. Go here if all you want is peace of mind! 

Best Time To Visit For Snow: December to February 

Stay At: The Azara, The Kabo Luxury Boutique Hotel

What To See: Tarsar lake, Aharbar waterfalls, Hundur Monastery

How To Travel: Pulwama is about 38 kilometers away from the Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar. Take a flight till here, and then a local cab or a bus to Pulwama. 

If you want to skip Himachal and Uttarakhand to give the North Eastern States a chance during snowfall season, then start with Arunachal Pradesh's Bomdila. Inhabited by the major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, Bomdila is one of the least-explored places in Northeast India, despite possessing breathtaking beauty during the winter season, when you can see each and every place elevated with the presence of snow, adding on to the existing glamour of the place. It is a quaint town boasting of vibrant Tibetan heritage and culture. Also, if you want to see the apple orchards then this is the time to visit Bomdila.

Best Time To Visit For Snow: December to February 

Stay At: Dirang Boutique Cottages, Pemaling Lord's Inn, The Heritage Club

What To See: Bomdila viewpoint, Sessa orchid sanctuary, apple orchards, Lower Middle and Upper Gompa, RR Hills, Ethnographic museum and craft center 

How To Travel: Tezpur, located in Assam, is a nearby airport. It is located just 160 km away from Bomdila. Local cab services operate from Tezpur to Bomdila. 

Even after being a green valley most of the time during the year, the actual beauty of Mechuka Valley comes to life during the winter season, when the rooftops get covered with snow and window panes are adorned with a thin layer of frost. For winter lovers, this place is no less than a haven. Fondly called Magical Mechuka, or the Shangri La of India, this valley sounds true to its name. Mechukha is known for both its religious and historical significance. The 400-year-old Samten Yongcha monastery of Mahayana Buddhist sect is located here too! 

Best Time To Visit For Snow: October to February 

Stay At: The Myst Hotel, GT Homestay 

What To See: Guru Nanak Taposthan, Dorjeeling village, Yarlung army camp, Dzogchen Samtan Choeling Monastery

How To Travel: There is no direct air or rail connectivity. Fly to Guwahati's international airport, and then book a cab to Mechuka

The highest peak in West Bengal, offering majestic views of the Kanchenjunga range from its unprecedented height, Sandakphu is a trekker’s paradise. The trekking experience here is something that will be quite memorable. Yes, you can actually hike through the snow. Local sherpas here take you to this 5-nights and 6-day trek, through the Singalila national park. And it is quite adventurous (also a once-in-a-lifetime experience) If you're visiting West Bengal, make a pitstop in Darjeeling, and then finish this beautiful snow-capped trek! 

Best Time To Visit For Snow: December to January 

Stay At: Sherpa Chalet, and several local camps on top. 

What To See: Manebhanjan, Chitrey, Tonglu, Tumlin, and other cute snowcapped villages that you will have to cross while ascending to Sandakphu. 

How To Travel: You can take a flight to Bagdogra airport, and then board a bus to Darjeeling. Your trek, along with the local guides, will start from here. 

Lava is a quaint little hamlet which is located in the Kalimpong district of West Bengal. This sleepy and calm village falls on the trade route of Bhutan and is adorned with pine forests and coniferous trees. Surrounded by the cold misty clouds of the mountains, this exotic and rustic Lepcha village folded in the mountains of the Himalayas will leave you smitten by its beauty and charm. Lolegaon is another quaint village that is only 24kms away from Lava, and offer's an equally glorious view of the majestic Kanchenjunga. If you are one of the few lucky ones and the weather permits, then you can see the snow-clad peak of Mt. Everest from here. 

Best Time To Visit For Snow: December to January 

Stay At:  Charkhole Resort, Rosedell Inn, Mystery Garden 

What To See: Changey falls, Canopy garden, Lava Monastery, Tiffindhara sunset point, Neora Valle National Park 

How To Travel: You can take a flight to Bagdogra airport, and then board a bus from Siliguri to Lava Lolegaon, or even a local cab.