India is a land of varied landscapes. From the towering mountains of the north to the beautiful beaches of the south, and from the sandy deserts of the west to the lush forests of the east, you, as a traveller, can find everything in the country. The mountain range in the north, called the Himalayas, is a region to fall in love with. It is one of the well-known tourist spots to watch the majestic snowfall in India.
The Himalayas show different landscape views during different seasons. The region becomes green in the summers and white in the winters. However, the exceptionally high peaks of the mountains remain snow-covered all year. If you wish to witness spectacular snowfall, you must visit the following places in the northern reaches of India. Let’s get started and see which places receive significant snowfall in India.
21 Top Places to See Snowfall in India
1. Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir are one of the most beautiful northern states of India. Srinagar lies in the Kashmir valley; people say it is the state’s summer capital. The place is famous for its Kashmiri shawls and dry fruits. Srinagar is at an altitude of 1585 m and receives snowfall between the last week of October and the last week of February.
During the winter, the average temperature of Srinagar and its surrounding regions ranges between -2 and 10 degrees centigrade. So Srinagar is hands down, one of the best snowfall places in India.
2. Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir
Gulmarg is a hill station and one of the best tourist places in Jammu & Kashmir. The town lies in the western Himalayas (Pir Panjal range) and surrounds the Gulmarg wildlife sanctuary. Gulmarg is famous for its scenic beauty, snowfall, gondola, igloo cafe and restaurant, Maharani temple, Maharaja palace, and St. Mary’s church.
To create a snowman, you must visit Gulmarg between December and February, but beware of the temperatures as they can go well below freezing temperatures (-4 degrees centigrade). So if you wish to enjoy snowfall in India in December, Gulmarg is a must-visit.
3. Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir
Pahalgam is a high-altitude town in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. It lies at 2740 m of altitude and is famous for its spectacular green meadows and virgin snow during the winter months. It houses the Amarnath temple, the Kolhoi glacier, Betaab Valley, and Baisaran Valley. Pahalgam has excellent mythological significance related to Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati. The town receives high amounts of snowfall during December and January.
This region receives quite a heavy snowfall in India and sometimes blocks off the roads, disrupting connectivity with other northern places of the state. Therefore, it becomes challenging to visit Pahalgam in January due to extreme snowfall. So, plan your trip accordingly. Thus, Pahalgam is an excellent snow area in India.
In addition, don’t forget to explore the more enchanting places to visit in Kashmir in 2023.
4. Katao, Sikkim
Mt. Katao is one of the best places in Sikkim for tourists. It lies in the northern part of Sikkim. You can do various things in Katao, even if you visit the place during winter, like snowboarding, skiing, viewing beautiful flowers, and trekking the Thangu Valley. There are many places around the place you can visit.
These places include Lachung, Lachen, Zero Point, Chopta Valley, and Yumthang Valley. Katao starts receiving snowfall in October and is where you will love to spend your winter vacation. Thus, to enjoy snowfall in India in October, you should keep Katao in your itinerary.
5. Zuluk, Sikkim
Sikkim is a land of mountains, rhododendrons, and organic fruits and vegetables. It is one of the most beautiful states in India. Zuluk is a hill station in the Pakyong district of East Sikkim.
Zuluk gives excellent viewpoints of Kanchenjunga, the highest mountain in India. It has an elevation of 2900 m and receives moderate snowfall from October to February. The hamlet receives snowfall in the range of 3 to 5 feet of snow. Thus, plan a trip to Zuluk and the adjoining areas in Sikkim to enjoy snowfall in November.
6. Yumthang Valley, Sikkim
Yumthang Valley holds some of the most picturesque views north of Sikkim. The Yumthang viewpoints have hot springs, yaks, and lush green meadows. During the winter season, the valley gets covered in white virgin snow. The town lies at an elevation of 3564 m and 150 km from Gangtok.
The valley also houses the ‘The Valley of Flowers’ sanctuary. Due to its high altitude, Yumthang Valley receives snowfall from October to March, and the temperature hovers between -4 and 7 degrees centigrade. Enjoy great snowfall in India by visiting North Sikkim, especially Yumthang Valley.
7. Nathu La Pass, Sikkim
Towering 4310 m, Nathu La is a Himalayan pass connecting Kalimpong and Gangtok in the lower Chumbi Valley. It is one of the highest Himalayan passes in India and is very close to China. The region abounds in flora like Aconitum and Poa and fauna like snow leopard and golden eagle. It also encompasses the Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary.
You will find snowfall in Nathu la between October and March. It is one of the best places in India to enjoy snowfall.
8. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang is situated in North India, in Arunachal Pradesh. It is a Northeastern state of India connected by the Siliguri corridor in West Bengal. Tawang is a small town in the state at an elevation of 3048 m and lies approximately 16 km from China. People generally visit this mountainous region for skiing and to see the picturesque landscape of Arunachal Pradesh.
The town receives a lot of snow during the winter months. Here, snow starts falling in November and goes on till May. Thus, if you want to see and enjoy snowfall in May in India, Tawang will welcome you with open arms.
9. Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh
Bomdi La is a pass in the mountainous regions of Arunachal Pradesh. It is at the height of 2415 m and lies in the West Kameng district. Bomdila houses the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary and offers immersive viewpoints of Kangto and Gorichen peaks. These peaks are the highest ones in the state.
The region receives a lot of snow during December, January, and February. Thus, if you wish to enjoy a few days of winter in the northeast and enjoy scenic views of the snowfall in India, Bomdila is the place for you.
10. Mechuka Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
As most of the region of Arunachal Pradesh is mountainous, there is no scarcity of valleys in the state. Arunachal Pradesh gives some of the best and most exquisite-looking valleys in India. Mechuka lies at 1829 m, and the valley is also known as Pachakshiri. It is only 29 km away from the Indo-China border.
You get an exquisite view of the beautiful Siyom River and incredible viewpoints of Arunachali peaks. Mechuka Valley receives snowfall in winter, and the view looks beautiful. It is best to visit the place during the summer, and one must avoid monsoons due to the landslides.
11. Sandakphu, Darjeeling
Darjeeling, the queen of hills, is a hill station in Northern West Bengal. The place is famous for its toy train, the Nepalese culture, and beautiful mountains. Sandakphu is the highest mountain in the region and West Bengal. The mountain is famous for its viewpoints.
When you summit the peak, you can see Everest, Kanchendzonga, Lhotse, and Makalu, some of the world’s highest peaks. The elevation is 3636 m, and the snow starts falling here in mid-December and continues till late March. Sandakphu is a heavenly place for people seeking adventure and snowfall.
12. Munsiyari, Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand, meaning a chunk of land in the north in Hindi, is a state carved out of Uttar Pradesh in India. It is one of the most beautiful states in India, housing some of the most beautiful temples, hill stations, and mountains. Munsiyari is a small hill town located in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. It has an elevation of 2200 m and abounds with different species of birds, and the famous Lichen Park was established in 2019.
Munsiyari receives annual snowfall during December and February. Thus, if you wish to visit some snowfall places in Uttarakhand, Munsiyari is a must-visit.
13. Auli, Uttarakhand
Auli is one of the most touristic places in Uttarakhand because of the spectacular landscape. The famous ski destination Auli is located in the Chamoli district of Himachal Pradesh and preserves more than 520 species of plants and many endangered species of animals. The hill station starts receiving snowfall from December until March.
14. Dhanaulti, Uttarakhand
Dhanaulti is also a hill station located at 2286 m and lies at the foothills of the famous Garhwal Himalayan range. Surkanada Devi mandir in Dhanaulti is a must-visit, alongside zipline over the snow-fed mountains and quad biking in the snow.
Snowfall starts in November and goes on till March at Dhanaulti. Dhanaulti is a must-visit for people who wish to see snow in India.
Furthermore, please take a look if you would like to know all the details about how to do the Kedarkantha trek in winter.
15. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Most people who love snow and mountains know where Mussoorie is, which attracts thousands of visitors annually. Mussoorie is also popular as a favourite honeymoon destination in India. It lies in the Dehradun district of the state and is only 290 km away from the national capital Delhi. It is around 2000 m in altitude.
There are many places to visit, like Bhadraj temple, Dhanaulti, Camel’s back road, Lal Tibba, Gun Hill, Kempty Falls, Lake Mist, and Mussoorie Garden. The region looks heavenly during snowfall that starts around November and continues until the end of March.
16. Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is a northern state of India and is regarded as the abode of snow because most of its regions get covered in snow during winter. Therefore, Himachal Pradesh has some of the highest tourist visiting places in India, and Manali is one of them. It is at the height of 2050 m and is famous for the Solang Valley, picturesque mountain views, paragliding, skiing, and many other snow activities.
It is also home to the Rohtang Pass, at an altitude of more than 4000 m, and the Atal Tunnel that connects Manali with Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh. Manali receives snowfall between December and March, and with the snow-fed surroundings and the chilly atmosphere, Manali becomes a natural paradise on Earth.
17. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
One of the most famous tourist destinations in India and the summer capital of the British empire, Shimla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. The region is at an altitude of 2276 m and is famous for its mall road and the Himalayan railway service. The city remains calm most of the year, with an annual average temperature of 17 degrees centigrade.
Shimla and its adjoining places like Khufri receive snowfall between December and March. However, the place looks exquisitely beautiful during the winter months.
18. Narkanda, Himachal Pradesh
Narkanda is a town that lies in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. It has an elevation of 2708 m and is famous for its apple culture. People generally visit Narkanda to watch snowfall and do snow activities. The city receives snowfall between November and March. The chilly atmosphere and the virgin snow make Narkanda one of the best Indian snowfall places.
19. Solang Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Solang Valley is just 13 km away from Manali and is one of the best snowfall places in India. The valley features several snow activities and remains packed with tourists during the winter months. You can enjoy paragliding, skiing, snowboarding, gondola rides and many other fun snow-related activities. It is near the Atal tunnel and central Manali city.
The valley has excellent transport connectivity and is fun to visit during the snowfall months of December to March. Solang Valley is a must-visit when travelling in and around Manali.
20. Lahaul & Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
Lahaul and Spiti together make up a district in Himachal Pradesh. The region is the northern place of the state and is highly mountainous and sports some stunning viewpoints, lakes, and temples.
The main attractions in the region include Kalpa, Kaza, Chandratal Lake, Surajtaal Lake, and many other places. Most places are over 3500 m in altitude, because of which they receive some of the highest percentages of snow all over India. In some northern reaches, you may find snowfall in June in India. Hence, Spiti Valley is on the bucket list of every Indian traveller.
Moreover, check out the best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh in winter, if you would like to dive deeper into the stunning snowfall locations in the state.
21. Ladakh
The Ladakh range is a paradise for all travellers in India and worldwide. The region houses some spectacular mountain ranges and lakes. The Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri are some of the must-visit locations there.
Ladakh also has some of the most beautiful monasteries in northern India. If you wish to witness snowfall in India, especially in this region, visit it between November and March. The view will be spectacular.
Final Words
So, if you had the question, ‘Does it snow in India?‘, you have your answer now. It certainly does snow in the northern mountains, and it looks heavenly standing in the open during a snowfall.
If you are suffering from a fever of wanderlust, you should make a plan, pack your backpack, and set off for one of these exotic locations mentioned above. We guarantee you these places are a treat to the eye, especially when there is snowfall in India.
