Snowfall Places in India

Every year, people travel to see the best Snowfall places in India, where they can witness the places where India turns white. While most point towards Manali, there is a plethora of options you can visit in India to witness snowfall. From Kashmir, Himachal to Uttarakhand and Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, you have numerous options.

Here is everything you need to know:

1.       Best places to witness snowfall in India

2.       Best time to witness snowfall places in India

3.       Possibility of witnessing snowfall in December and January

4.       Best places to witness snowfall near Delhi

5.       Top snowfall spots in North India

6.       Best places to go on Honeymoon and Family Trips

7.       Tips to ensure you have a safe and successful snowfall trip.

Whether you are looking to go on a romantic snowfall honeymoon in Kashmir or a family trip to Manali or even go on an unusual adventure in Sikkim, this guide has got you covered.

Best Time to See Snowfall in India

The first thing to know is that snow can fall in high-altitude locations such as Gulmarg, Sonmarg, and Tawang as early as November. However, popular hill towns such as Manali and Shimla will not experience any snowfall until December or later. Most places receive the most snowfall during December to February, and the high Himalayas can have snow well into March.

Snow is not always guaranteed due to the western disturbance throughout the winter, meaning if you visit too early you could be faced with some very dull brown hills. When is the best time to visit?

Snowfall in India in December

•          December is the best month for first-time snow trips in India.

December is the best month to visit if you are visiting for the first time. Most places such as the Solang Valley (near Manali), Gulmarg and Auli will have snow. This is also a popular time to visit as it’s festive around Christmas and New Year. However, hotels in popular hill stations fill up quickly, and prices can get very high. Be sure to book early to avoid paying double the price for a room with a view of nothing!

Snowfall in India in January

•         January is colder and quieter after the New Year rush.

January can be quite cold, and there is less hustle and bustle after the New Year. Overall, this is a great time to visit for thick and reliable snowfall. However, roads can become icy, and some routes can be temporarily closed due to heavy snowfall. Be sure to leave an extra day within your travel plans. Choosing the correct region to visit will ensure you have a smooth trip! Each region has its own perks.

 

Snowfall in Kashmir – Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam

One of the most iconic places to visit in India during the winter months is Kashmir. This is the perfect place to enjoy some snow adventures with its stunning valleys, deep snow and typical Himalayan features. There are three main places you should visit whilstDay Route

1.      Gulmarg

The main snowfall destination in Kashmir. This incredible place sits high up, around 2650 meters making it a popular ski resort during the winter months. This place is famous for its high cable car ride called the Gulmarg Gondola.

Best for:

•         Skiing and Snowboarding

•         Cable Car rides with amazing views over the Himalayas

•         Taking photos in the snow

•         Honeymooners

•         Winter adventure lovers

Fresh snowfall means that Gulmarg looks its best between late December and February. However, this can vary depending on the season.

2.      Sonmarg

Close to the Thajiwas Glacier, this is ideal for those who want to take in vast snowy valleys. This place is great for sledding and gentle snow walks.

Best for:

•         Snowy valley views

•         Sledding and gentle snow activities

•         Photos near Thajiwas Glacier

•         Day trip from Srinagar

Please note that due to heavy snowfall, sometimes the road can be closed for a day or two. Please allow extra days in your schedule if you want to visit this place.

3.      Pahalgam

This is the more relaxing side to Kashmir during the winter months. This place has beautiful pine forests, river valleys, and frozen streams for those who love to take their time and enjoy some scenic walks and a calm stay.

Best for:

•         Families

•         Honeymooners

•         Nature walks and gentle sightseeing

•         Beautiful stays in the pine forest

Recommended Kashmir Winter Itinerary

Most tour packages to Kashmir will include all three main destinations to give you an easy winter itinerary.

•         Srinagar – Houseboat, Dal Lake and Old City

•         Gulmarg – Skiing, Cable Car and deep snow

•         Pahalgam – Pine Forests, Valleys and Gentle sightseeing

•         Sonmarg – Thajiwas Glacier and snowy valleys (depending on road conditions)

Having a packaged itinerary means you won’t have to worry about getting transport for your winter activities. You may experience some road closures or delays due to the weather.

Day	Route / Place	What to do
Day 1	Arrive in Srinagar	Check in, relax at Dal Lake, enjoy Shikara ride and visit the old city
Day 2	Srinagar → Gulmarg	Drive to Gulmarg; enjoy snow activities, Gondola ride and evening leisure
Day 3	Gulmarg	Do Phase 1/Phase 2 Gondola, skiing or snowboarding, photography and snow walks
Day 4	Gulmarg → Pahalgam	Travel to Pahalgam; explore pine forests, river views and local cafés
Day 5	Pahalgam → Srinagar	Return to Srinagar; visit Mughal Gardens or enjoy a relaxed houseboat stay
Day 6	Srinagar → Sonmarg → Srinagar	Take a day trip to Sonmarg and Thajiwas Glacier, subject to road and weather conditions

Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh – Manali, Kufri & Kasol

As one of the closest snowfall locations to Delhi, Himachal Pradesh is the most popular choice for those wanting to visit some iconic snow towns, or perhaps take a short weekend break or family trip.

1.      Manali & Solang Valley

t’s the most popular snowfall location in Himachal Pradesh. Snow tends to fall in the Solang Valley earlier than in main Manali, which is more likely to be covered in snow in late December or January.

Best for:

•         Snowfall first-timers

•         Families and couples

•         Snow activities

•         Cafés, sightseeing and winter photography

Short break from Delhi

While the Rohtang Pass will be closed during peak winter months, the Atal Tunnel enables you to visit the beautiful snowy areas of Lahaul, including Sissu. This area of Manali can often be missed out by many travellers; however, the views are some of the most spectacular in the area.

If you aren’t confident driving on icy mountain roads, then opt for a private transfer package including an experienced hill driver.

2.      Kufri

Kufri is a great choice for those wanting a short break or weekend trip. It’s also very easy to get to as it’s very close to Shimla.

Best for:

•         Short break/weekend trip

•         Walking in the snow

•         Horse riding

•         Families

Shimla & Kufri packages

This area depends on how much snow falls during the season, so make sure you look up the latest weather forecasts.

3.      Kasol & Kheerganga

[image: Tourists enjoying a winter trek through a beautiful snow-covered mountain landscape, surrounded by tall pine trees, white snowy slopes, and majestic Himalayan peaks under a clear blue sky.]
Kasol doesn’t get as much snow in the town itself, but the higher hiking trails towards Kheerganga can be very pretty in the snow! It’s a great choice if you want a more peaceful and scenic Himalayan experience.

Best for:

•         Alternative travellers

•         Nature lovers

•         Winter hiking enthusiasts

•         Those wanting a less busy experience

As the winter hiking trails around Kheerganga can be quite slick and isolated, it’s best to go with a local guide.

Himachal Winter Ideas

Depending on how much time you have and how confident you are, here are 3 simple ideas for Himachal.

Short break: Shimla to KufrDay Routeic snowfall: Delhi to Manali to Solang Valley to Sissu (via Atal Tunnel).

Day	Route / Place	What to do
Day 1	Delhi → Shimla	Travel to Shimla; explore Mall Road, Ridge and local cafés
Day 2	Shimla → Kufri → Shimla	Enjoy snow walks, horse riding and scenic viewpoints in Kufri
Day 3	Shimla → Manali	Drive to Manali; rest and explore Old Manali in the evening
Day 4	Manali → Solang Valley → Sissu	Enjoy snow activities in Solang, then cross Atal Tunnel to Sissu for Himalayan views
Day 5	Manali → Delhi	Start early for the return journey

Snowfall in Uttarakhand: Auli, Chopta and Mussoorie

A great place to experience a combination of skiing, tranquil snowy meadows and easy hill station getaways from Delhi.

1.      Auli

Auli is one of the most famous Skiing destinations in India. With clear skies, you’ll get beautiful views of Nanda Devi and surrounding Himalayan peaks.

Best for:

•         Skiing/Snowboarding

•         Himalayan views

•         Honeymoons

•         Less crowded than Manali

Roads and ropeways may be affected by the weather in winter. Be sure to check up-to-date information before you travel.

2.      Chopta

This quieter hill station known as ‘Mini Switzerland’ has lovely meadows which are particularly beautiful after fresh snowfall.

Best for:

•         Relaxing snowy break

•         Nature lovers

•         Winter photography

•         Unique travellers

•         Mussoorie & Dhanaulti

These two hill stations sometimes get snow in some years. They should be treated as a bonus snow destination.

Best for:

Quick breaks from Delhi

Families

First-time hill station visitors

If you’re looking for an easy winter holiday, take a look at our tour packages to Uttarakhand.

Day	Route / Place	What to do
Day 1	Delhi → Dehradun → Mussoorie	Travel to Mussoorie; visit Mall Road, viewpoints and cafés
Day 2	Mussoorie → Dhanaulti → Chopta	Drive towards Chopta; enjoy quiet mountain landscapes and forest views
Day 3	Chopta → Tungnath / Chandrashila	Take a winter trek with a local guide if conditions are safe; enjoy Himalayan views
Day 4	Chopta → Auli	Travel to Auli; relax and enjoy the snowy meadows
Day 5	Auli → Dehradun → Delhi	Enjoy morning views of Nanda Devi, then begin the return journey

Snowfall in Sikkim and Arunachal: The Underrated Pair

•         Sikkim & Arunachal Pradesh are perfect if you’ve done Manali, Shimla or Auli.

1.      Sikkim

The northern part of Sikkim receives heavy snowfall. Lachung and Yumthang Valley. This is the easiest place to see snow due to the minimal snowfall in Gangtok. The easiest place to see snow is at Tsomgo Lake close to Gangtok.

Best for:

•         Unique winter travel

•         Snowy valleys

•         Beautiful day trips from Gangtok

•         Photography and peaceful landscapes

Day	Route / Place	What to do
Day 1	Arrive in Gangtok	Rest, acclimatise and explore MG Marg
Day 2	Gangtok → Tsomgo Lake → Baba Mandir	Take a day trip to Tsomgo Lake for snow views and photography
Day 3	Gangtok → Lachung	Drive to Lachung; enjoy the mountain journey and evening leisure
Day 4	Lachung → Yumthang Valley → Lachung	Visit Yumthang Valley and enjoy snowy landscapes, subject to permits and road conditions
Day 5	Lachung → Gangtok	Return to Gangtok and relax
Day 6	Departure	Leave Gangtok for the airport or onward destination

2.      Arunachal Pradesh

Tawang and its Sela Pass above it are one of the best-kept secrets for winter travel in India. The high-altitude roads and remote valleys make this perfect for experienced travelers with stunning mountain views.

Best for:

•         Unique & adventure travel

•         Snowy high altitude landscape

•         Remote Himalayan experience

Day	Route / Place	What to do
Day 1	Arrive in Guwahati	Rest and prepare permits/documents for Arunachal travel
Day 2	Guwahati → Dirang	Drive to Dirang; enjoy valley views and a relaxed evening
Day 3	Dirang → Tawang	Travel via Sela Pass; stop for high-altitude views and photography
Day 4	Tawang	Visit Tawang Monastery, local markets and nearby viewpoints
Day 5	Tawang → Madhuri Lake / nearby areas	Explore snow-covered high-altitude landscapes, subject to road access
Day 6	Tawang → Dirang	Return towards Dirang and rest
Day 7	Dirang → Guwahati	Travel back to Guwahati for departure

Snowfall Places Near Delhi

Don’t worry if you are short on time. Mussoorie and Dhanaulti can be reached from Delhi in 6-7 hours, Shimla and Kufri in 7-8hours. If you want something quieter, there is Chail and Mukteshwar, which can get some snow sometimes.

Snowfall around Delhi will depend completely on how the weather is. Check the forecast for the next 3-4 days and try to be flexible with your dates. If you want more guaranteed snow, then you might want to head a little further to Manali, which can take around 12-14 hours to reach by car.

Destination	Approx. Travel Time from Delhi	Snowfall Chance	Best For
Mussoorie	6–7 hours	Moderate; depends on weather	Short trips, families, first-time travellers
Dhanaulti	6–7 hours	Moderate; often higher than Mussoorie	Quiet stays, couples, nature lovers
Shimla	7–8 hours	Moderate to good in peak winter	Weekend trips, families, sightseeing
Kufri	7–8 hours	Good during strong winter spells	Snow walks, horse riding, short breaks
Chail	8–9 hours	Occasional	Quiet and less crowded trips
Mukteshwar	8–9 hours	Occasional	Peaceful stays and scenic views
Manali	12–14 hours	High, especially in Solang Valley	Reliable snowfall, adventure, longer trips

 

Destination	Trip Length	Approx. Budget Per Person	Budget Level	Best For
Mussoorie / Dhanaulti	3 days	₹8,000–₹15,000	Budget to mid-range	Short trips, families, first-time travellers
Shimla / Kufri	3–4 days	₹10,000–₹18,000	Budget to mid-range	Weekend trips, families, easy snow access
Manali / Solang Valley	4–5 days	₹15,000–₹28,000	Mid-range	Snow activities, couples, adventure
Auli / Chopta	4–5 days	₹15,000–₹30,000	Mid-range	Skiing, quiet snow, Himalayan views
Kashmir: Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam	5–6 days	₹22,000–₹40,000	Mid-range to premium	Honeymoon, families, winter sightseeing
Sikkim: Gangtok, Lachung, Yumthang	5–6 days	₹25,000–₹45,000	Mid-range to premium	Unique winter travel, permits, guided tours
Arunachal Pradesh: Tawang	6–7 days	₹30,000–₹55,000	Premium	Remote Himalayan adventure, experienced travellers

Snowfall Places in India for Honeymoon

For couples, the setting matters as much as the snow. Gulmarg’s cable car and snow-covered cottages, a Solang Valley sunrise in Manali, and a quiet stay in Pahalgam rank high with honeymooners. Choose a property with room heaters and valley views, because that is what turns a cold trip into a romantic one.

Snowfall Places in India for Family

With children or parents look for easy routes and short travel times between destinations. The best ones for families are Shimla-Kufri, Mussoorie-Dhanaulti and Manali. These are well connected with heated hotels and a wide range of snow activities for all ages. Avoid places at high altitude like Tawang or Yumthang as they can be quite tough on young children and older people due to the lack of oxygen and very low temperatures.

Quick Tips Before You Pack

•         Carry thermals, waterproof boots, gloves and a windproof jacket.

•         Book hotels with heating, and confirm it in writing.

•         Keep one buffer day for road closures.

•         Avoid night driving on snowy roads, and use a driver experienced in snow.

•         Check weather and road advisories a day before each leg.

FAQs

1.       Which part of India receives the most snowfall?

The highest amounts of snowfall will generally be found in the high-altitude Himalayan regions such as Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Lahaul-Spiti and Tawang. However, snowfall can vary year to year.

2.       Where can you get snowfall during December in India?

Gulmarg, Solang Valley (Manali), Auli and Kufri are popular spots to visit. It depends on the weather conditions of the year.

3.       Does Manali receive snow during December?

Often yes. You’ll get snow in higher areas first, such as Solang Valley. However, sometimes you may get snow in the town itself towards the end of December or in January. But there’s no guarantee.

4.       Which hill station receives snow during November?

Higher areas such as Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Tawang can receive snow. However, most will not receive snow until December.

    5.  Which places receive the best snowfall on a budget?

Kufri, Dhanaulti, Mussoorie and Manali are great budget-friendly places to stay. They’re also closer to Delhi, so less of a drive.

    6. Where can you ski in India?

Gulmarg and Auli are the most well-known places to ski.

Your Snow Trip Starts With One Decision

Snow is part science, part timing, and part good planning. From Gulmarg to Manali to Auli, the snowfall places in North India deliver the classic winter dream, while Sikkim and Tawang reward those who go further. The mistake we hinted at earlier? Booking before checking the forecast and road conditions.

Ready to plan? Compare Kashmir tour packages, Manali tour packages, Himachal tour packages or Uttarakhand tour packages, or message us for a customised quote.

Disclaimer: Snowfall depends on weather and can change without notice. Please check current advisories before travelling.