As a tourist, one of the most compelling sights is to see the snowfall that makes an exotic location look even more beautiful. There are a number of such places in India where you can go as a couple, extended family or with friends to beat the heat as well as to enjoy stunning views. Let us have a look at the top 10 places that come under such list in random order.
Pahalgam (Jammu & Kashmir)
It is a small village that is located at a point that is the confluence of two streams. It is located at a stunning height of 8957 ft above sea level. As the years have gone by, Pahalgam has become a massively popular tourist spot for tourists as well as trekkers not only in India but also across the globe. June and July are the months were tourism is at its peak in Pahalgam. There is a heavy influx of Pilgrims in the months of July and August as the Amarnath Cave is just 45 km away. The location is not just visually appealing but also very romantic as you can go for long walks where you can view interesting flora and fauna. The Mamleshwar Temple is another important landmark of Pahalgam that is highly recommended to tourists.
Mashobra (Himachal Pradesh)
This place is one of the famous twin settlements namely Mashobra and Chharabra. These locations used to be preferred by the then ruling British officials and their families whenever they wanted to take out for private moments. There are two massive ancient structures here which are the remains of the battles fought in this region during Pre-Independence times. They are called The Retreat and The Wildflower. Going for long walks and gazing at the snowy regions is the best past-time one could have here. Tourists can set out for a picnic to Craigano and Shaily peaks after buying the local food that is both tasty and priced reasonably.
Harsil-Gangotri (Uttarakhand)
These regions are located on the high mountain ranges in the state of Uttarakhand. They are located at very high altitudes of 9005 ft and 10000 ft above the sea level. Tourists coming here can have the perfect view of the dashing Himalayan mountain ranges and peaks, flowing rivers and streams and what not! Hot springs give relief to the tourists while there are dense forests too to explore. Presence of green meadows and glaciers add another dimension to the place giving it a heavenly feel. In order to reach Harsil, you need to take a drive from the Uttarkashi district and the route is an adventure in itself with the road having sharp turns all the way. There are abundant places to have short and pleasant walks with the Dharali village located at a distance of 2 km while a group of 7 lakes titled Sattal is located at a distance of 7 km.
Darjeeling (West Bengal)
Darjeeling is one of the best visual spots in West Bengal and you can view snowfall from the Tiger Hill in the months of December. Winters are chilly and the snowfall visual is a blissful treat to tourists. The sight of the sun rays falling on the slow is an epic sight indeed. Most people in Darjeeling love to keep time out for watching these special moments. The town has plenty of places where you could go out for romantic walks in a cool environment to view the lovely architecture of the place most of which were done during the Colonial rule. Cottages, Churches and other monuments are on view. Main time-pass methods are to visit the tea estates, Monasteries, having a ride in the steam engine and doing some local shopping.
Kufri (Himachal Pradesh)
Many people prefer Kufri over Shimla when it comes to being a destination of snowfall. The ski resorts here have garnered terrific popularity among tourists over recent years. The presence of snowy slopes and peaks, options for adventure sports, stunning visuals and the orchards are the standouts of Kufri. Tourists who come here have the option of performing several activities like skiing, trekking, horse rides and temple stops. The availability of steaming hot Masala tea and spicy hot snacks serves as good refreshments for tourists.
Nathula-Gangtok (Sikkim)
These are regions located in the state of Sikkim where you can witness serious amount of snowfall throughout the year. A hill town is located at a 2 hour drive from the snowy Nathula region. These places are not only visually attractive but also less-populated among tourists which mean you can have a calm and peaceful experience. The Nathula-Gangtok package is the perfect combo for Tourists coming to Sikkim to witness snowfall. The color of the peaks change on a daily basis and that is a stunning sight. Monasteries, Antiques, Zoological parks, paintings, sculptures and scriptures are some of the main attractions of this place. There are markets too from where you can buy awesome local goodies of different kinds. Walking is a pleasure in these parts of India.
Thanedar (Himachal Pradesh)
Thanedar is located at an altitude of 7300 ft above sea level. This is the place where the cultivation of apple is believed to have started in India. A missionary man named Samuel Stokes was responsible for this cultivation to begin in this region. As much as the snow-filled peaks are a sight to behold, tourists can also have a good time at the orchards here where different types of apples are cultivated. The Sutlej River flows near this area. Paramjyoti temple is another important place to visit for tourists here while Arya Samaj Mandir and St Mary’s Church are other good options. There is a lake called Tani Jubber Lake where you can go for picnics and have a nice time.
Narkanda (Himachal Pradesh)
It is located at a breath-taking height of 8884 ft above sea level and is near to Shimla. Snowy mountain peaks and ranges along with dark forests are the main attractions here. Trekking and skiing are highly enjoyable here as a 7 km walk shall take you to an incredible height of 10827 ft above sea level. Different types of trees like blue pines, fir, spruce and deodar can be seen here. You can visit the Hatu Mata temple that is situated at the very top to get a panoramic view. A stunning view of snow-filled hills and ranges can be seen from here.
Auli (Uttarakhand)
It is located in the Garhwal mountain ranges of the Himalayas at an altitude of 9500-10500 ft above the sea level. Skiing is the best adventure sport here. Auli is at a distance of 268 km from Rishikesh and 490 km from Delhi. It is a hugely popular ski resort and temperatures here go as low as -5 degrees Celsius with snow all round.
Gulmarg (Jammu & Kashmir)
This was constructed as a Ski resort by the British during their rule and has become immensely popular thereafter. This place is a huge hit among honeymoon couples as well as film-makers. Such is the greatness of the place that the National Winter games are held here annually. The Gondola cable cars are a major attraction here as you can use them to reach Mount Apharwat. Despite the snowfall starting in December, the best time to visit is in January and February.