10 Beautiful Hill Stations in India With Snowfall That You Must Explore
India is home to many hill stations which get covered in snowfall during winters. Snowfall in India, like any other snowy part of the world is reminiscent of story book like sceneries. If you want to enjoy the white flaky snow, the winter months of December to February is the best snow season in India. You can also visit these hilly areas during the months of November and March. However, the snow is not as dense as in December and February.
Go for an awesome holiday with your folks or a dreamy honeymoon with your sweetheart to the following snowfall destinations in India
10 Lovely Hill Stations in India with Snowfall – 2019 List
| Hill Stations with Snowfall | Region |
| Pahaligam Hill Station | Near Srinagar |
| Gulmarg Hill Station | Near Srinagar |
| Sonamarg Hill Station | Near Jammu |
| Dhanaulti Hill Station | Near Rishikesh |
| Almora Hill Station | Near Nainital |
| Shimla & Kufri Hill Station | Near Chandigarh |
| Manali Hill Station | Near Ambala |
| Dalhousie Hill Station | Near Pathankot |
| Katao Hill Station | Near Lachung |
10 Beautiful Hill Stations in India With Snowfall- Complete Guide
1. Pahalgam
The city of Pahalgam is located in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. is covered in white pristine blanket of snow during the winter months. The pine trees and sloping roofs covered in thick layers of snow display a picture postcard like scenery. Pahalgam becomes a skiing scape during peak winters which can be explored by adventure lovers.
Distance from Delhi: 801 km
Why Visit: Pahalgam is an ideal place to be for snow lovers. The beautiful valley of Pahalgam along with the mountains are covered in snow during winters which offer a spellbinding view to tourists.
Best Way To Get There:
By Road – You can travel from Delhi to Pahalgam via NH 44 route.
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Average Cab Fare:
- 12456 – Rs.16169 (Delhi – Pahalgam one way)
- Rs 4,564 – Rs 6446 (Jammu Railway station – Pahalgam one way)
- Rs 2,200 – Rs 3,100 (Srinagar – Pahalgam one way)
By Flight – Srinagar is the nearest airport about 91 km from Pahalgam. Flights like Go Air, Indigo, Air India, Spicejet, Jet Airways, Air Asia and Vistara fly to and out of Srinagar.
Fares: Rs 3,147 – Rs 8,500 (Delhi – Srinagar Return)
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By Train – The nearest railway station is the Jammu Tawi railway station located at a distance of 261 km from Pahalgam. You can book tickets in the following trains to reach Jammu from Delhi.
- Sarvodaya SF Express
- Swaraj Express
- Indore – Jammu Tawi Weekly SF Express
- Jammu Mail
- New Delhi Jammu Tawi Rajdhani Express
Things to Do in Pahalgam
- Cable car ride
- Skiing
- Hiking
- Experience the glaciers and snow by taking a pony ride
- Snow camping and trekking
Places to Visit in Pahalgam
- Aru Valley
- Betaab valley
- Pahalgam golf course
- Tulian lake
- Chandanwari
Best Hotels in Pahalgam
Pahalgam Hotel | Hotel Mount View | Hotel Alpine K2 Pahalgam
2. Gulmarg
The Gulmarg town is a popular hill station in the Baramula district of Jammu and Kashmir. The town of Gulmarg is located at an elevation of 1,965 m in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas. Many options in skiing and snowboarding can be availed at Gulmarg during winters. Also, Gulmarg gets covered in a blanket of snow during winters. Enjoy the flaky snow and create your own snowman!
Distance from Delhi: 858 km
Why Visit: CNN has proclaimed Gulmarg as “the heartland of winter sports in India” and was adjudged as Asia’s seventh best ski destination. Winter sporting activities like skiing, tobogganing, snowboarding and heli-skiing take place along the slopes of Mount Apharwat.
Best Way To Get There:
By Road – You can travel from Delhi to Gulmarg via NH 44 route.
Average Cab Fare:
- 13000 – Rs.17000 (Delhi – Gulmarg one way)
- Rs 5,500 – Rs 7,672 (Jammu Railway station – Gulmarg one way)
- Rs 2,000 – Rs 3,000 (Srinagar – Gulmarg one way)
By Flight – Srinagar is the nearest airport about 56 km from Gulmarg. Flights like Go Air, Indigo, Air India, Spicejet, Jet Airways, Air Asia and Vistara fly to and out of Srinagar.
Fares: Rs 3,147 – Rs 8,500 (Delhi – Srinagar Return)
By Train – The nearest railway station is the Jammu Tawi railway station located at a distance of 318 km from Gulmarg. You can book tickets in the following trains to reach Jammu from Delhi.
- Sarvodaya SF Express
- Swaraj Express
- Indore – Jammu Tawi Weekly SF Express
- Jammu Mail
- New Delhi Jammu Tawi Rajdhani Express
Things To Do in Gulmarg
- Enjoy skiing and snowboarding on Highland Park Slope and Gulmarg Ski Resort
- Take Gondola Ride
- Go trekking to Alpathar lake
- Go ice skaing at the rink
- Take lessons in golf at Gulmarg Golf course
Places To Visit in Gulmarg
- Gulmarg Gondola
- Khilanmarg
- Alpather Lake
Best Hotels in Gulmarg
Hotel Hilltop | Hotel Heevan Retreat | Hotel Highlands Park
3. Sonamarg
The beautiful town of Sonamarg is located in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. Located at about 80 km to the northeast of Kashmir, Sonamarg looks mesmerising when covered in a blanket of snow during winters. Sonamarg or the ‘Meadow of Gold’ encompasses slopes, valleys and meadows. Enjoy the serenity and tranquillity of the snow-laden landscape of Sonamarg along with your loved ones.
Distance from Delhi: 902 km
Distance from Srinagar: 80 km
Why Visit: Sonamarg’s snowy mountains against the backdrop of cerulean sky forms an enchanting view which makes Sonamarg amongst the top snowfall destinations in India.
Best Way To Get There:
By Road – You can travel from Delhi to Sonamarg via NH 44 and NH 352 route.
Average Cab Fare:
- Rs 14,000 – Rs 18,000 (Delhi- Sonamarg one way),
- Rs 2000 – Rs 3,000 (Srinagar – Sonamarg one way)
- Rs 7,500 – Rs 12,500 (Jammu Railway station – Sonamarg one way)
By Flight – Srinagar is the nearest airport about 102 km from Sonamarg. Flights like Go Air, Indigo, Air India, Spicejet, Jet Airways, Air Asia and Vistara fly to and out of Srinagar.
Fares: Rs 3,147 – Rs 8,500 (Delhi – Srinagar Return)
By Train – The nearest railway station is the Jammu Tawi railway station located at a distance of 360 km from Sonamarg. You can book tickets in the following trains to reach Jammu from Delhi.
- Sarvodaya SF Express
- Swaraj Express
- Indore – Jammu Tawi Weekly SF Express
- Jammu Mail
- New Delhi Jammu Tawi Rajdhani Express
Things To Do in Sonamarg
- Visit the Zojila Pass and Thajiwas Glacier
- Go hiking through the Satsaran Pass
- Stroll through the royal gardens of Chasmah-e-shahi
Places To Visit in Sonamarg
- Gangabal lake
- Yusmarg
- Baltal valley
- Kheer Bhawani temple
Best Hotels in Sonamarg
Hotel Akbar | Hotel Barzman | Hotel Rah Villas
4. Auli
Auli hill station is located in the Chamoli district nestled in the Himalayan mountain ranges of Uttarakhand. The pristine hill station of Auli is synonymous with sloppy mountains and rustic mountain cottages. This picturesque hill station becomes even more alluring during winters with a Swiss feel to it. The coniferous and oak forests, as well as the Nanda Devi and Nar Parvat mountains covered in snow during winters, showcase a picture postcard like ambience.
Distance from Delhi: 487 km
Why Visit: Auli is a Himalayan Ski Resort which is world’s highest ski resort. Auli also offers an amazing 180-degree view of the Nanda Devi mountain range.
Best Way To Get There:
By Road: You can take the NH 44 route from Delhi via Kurukshetra and Yamuna Nagar to reach Auli.
Alternatively, you can take the Upper Ganga Canal rd via Meerut to reach Auli.
Average Cab Fare: Rs.4344 – Rs.6063 (one way)
You can drive to Auli from Delhi in your own vehicle. You can either take NH 44 route or the Upper Ganga Canal rd to reach Auli.
Cost of Driving down to Auli: Rs 5,000 – Rs 9,000 (roundtrip)
By Flight – The nearest Airport to Auli is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. Airlines like SpiceJet, Indigo, Air India, Jet Airways fly to Dehradun.
Fares: Rs 4,330 – Rs 7,000 (Return)
By Train – The nearest railway station is Haridwar railway station located at a distance of 277 km from Auli. You can book tickets in the following trains to reach Haridwar from Delhi.
- Haridwar Mail
- Dehradun Express
- Dehradun Shatabdi
- Uttaranchal Express
- Haridwar Express and more trains
Things To Do in Auli
- Cable car ride
- Trek to nearby areas
- Enjoy skiing at Himalayan Ski Resort
Places To Visit in Auli
- Vishnu Prayag
- Joshimath
- Badrinath
- Skiing Festival
Best Hotels In Auli
- Cliff Top Club | The Tattva Resort | The Royal Village – Auli Resort
5. Dhanualti
Dhanualti is a hill station which lies in proximity to Mussoorie. Located at an altitude of 2286 m, Dhanualti is known for its quiet ambience nestled amidst the Deodhar, Rhododendron and Oak forests. These forests are covered in snow during winters and offer a mesmerising view to its visitors.
Distance from Delhi: 317 km
Why Visit: Dhanaulti should be visited for its two Eco-Parks, “Amber and “Dhara” located at a distance of 200 m from each other.
Best Way To Get There:
By Road: Dhanualti is within the driving range of Delhi. Travel via the NH 44 through the Upper Ganga Canal road to reach Dhanaulti.
Average Cab Fare: Rs.4344 – Rs.6063 (one way)
You can drive to Dhanaulti from Delhi by your own vehicle. You can either take NH 44 route or the Upper Ganga Canal rd to reach Dhanaulti.
Cost of Driving down to Dhanualti: Rs.4231– Rs.6406 (round trip)
By Flight – The nearest Airport to Auli is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. Airlines like SpiceJet, Indigo, Air India, Jet Airways fly to Dehradun.
Fares: Rs 4,330 – Rs 7,000 (Return)
Train: Dehradun is the nearest railway station located at a distance of 66 km from Dhanualti. Book your tickets in the following trains to reach Dhanaulti.
- Shatabdi Express
- Jan Shatabdi Express
- The Mussoorie Express
- Nizamuddin AC Special
Things To Do in Dhanaulti
- Indulge in snowboarding and snow fighting
- Stay at Luxurious getaway resorts
- Go trekking, rappelling and mountain biking to top Niba and Surkanda Devi
Places To Visit in Dhanaulti
- Surkanda Devi
- Eco Park
- Camp Calista
- Burans Khanda
- Dhanualti Adventure Park
Best Hotels in Dhanaulti
Viewtoria Resort | Garden Cottage | Vikram’s Karma Inn
6. Almora
Though not a very popular snowfall destination, Almora is known for its sweeping landscapes and story book like cottages. Get enamoured by the folk-art intricate carvings of Nanda Devi temple. The sunrises and sunsets at Bright End Corner are not to be missed. Also, a cuppa of chai at the famous Bansal café can be very soothing in the cold wintery months. Kathgodam is the nearest railway station from where one has to take a cab to reach Almora.
Distance from Delhi: 397 km
7. Shimla & Kufri
Shimla and Kufri are famous for their snowfall. Though commercialised, Shimla receives hordes of tourists during peak winter season. Kufri is much quieter than Shimla. However, winter activities can be enjoyed at Himalayan Nature Park and Kufri Adventure Park. Enjoy skiing on the mountain slopes of Shimla and Kufri. Other activities like ice-skating, trekking, snowball fighting can be explored during winters.
Distance from Delhi: 343 km
8. Manali
Manali, located at an altitude of 2,050 m in Himachal Pradesh is set on the Beas river. The snowfall in Manali is quite special given its white surroundings, biting cold winds and quiet spots to snuggle with your loved ones. You can visit the famous Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley. Winter activities like snowboarding, paragliding, hang gliding and skydiving can be indulged in Manali. Enjoy skiing in Solang Valley and trekking in Parvati valley.
Distance from Delhi: 536 km
Check out 14 Exciting Things To Do in Manali
Check out 9 Best Hotels in Manali
9. Dalhousie
The high-altitude town of Dalhousie is located in proximity to the Dhauladhar mountain range in Himachal Pradesh. Dalhousie is a dream destination for those souls who want to experience snowfall during winter months. The streets of Dalhousie are lined by high lampposts. The majestic trees, as well as the quaint passages, form an awesome backdrop to the most romantic holiday in Dalhousie during the winter months. Activities like paragliding, trekking, hiking and horse riding can be indulged into for that added thrill.
Distance from Delhi: 560 km
10. Katao
Katao is nicknamed as the ‘Switzerland of Sikkim’. Located in the north of Sikkim, Katao valley is perched at a height of almost 12,666 feet. This somewhat offbeat place is truly a hidden gem of North-East. The Katao landscape is dotted with sliding slopes. Its hills, valleys and rivers form a very alluring picture. Visit the Lachen Monastery & Lachung Monastery, go hiking through the Gurudongmar Lake and trek to Thangu. New Jaipalguri Railway station is the nearest railway station while Bagdogra airport is the closest airport from Katao. However, to visit Katao, you will require an Inner Line Permit.
Distance from Gangtok: 128 km
