If you have lived most of your life in plains it is highly likely that you have a fascination for snow. With the rising temperatures and escape to these cold and snow-laden places would be just perfect. So here are a few hill stations in India that are extremely beautiful and should be on your bucket list if you are a snow lover. Have a look-Sonamarg, Kashmir If there is heaven anywhere in India, this is the place to be. Glaciers, frozen lakes, and kilometers of thick snow carpet, this place is surely a paradise for those who love to be in the snow. Summers are generally a little late in this area so there is a high probability that you will find snow in April here as well. Where the country is boiling up with the rising mercury this place is pleasant for you. Not only snow there are numerous snow activities like trekking and rafting that take place here. Thajiwas glacier is a must visit place when traveling here.North SikkimCertain parts of northern Sikkim in India have snow throughout the year? Shocking right? Well, these places are Tsomgo lake, Nathula, Yumthang. In fact, sometimes due to the heavy snows the parts have to be blocked so it highly advisable to check in before you plan a trip here. Also, you need to gear up to battle the extremely harsh winters of this place so make sure you plan a trip after keeping in mind all these facts. But once you reach this place the beauty of this place makes everything worth it. Although you need to be highly cautious while visiting this place during monsoons as the snow starts melting and it gets very perilous.Manali and Rohtang passManali is a very popular and beautiful hill station located in Himachal Pradesh. It is often paired with Rohtang pass and is a favorite for honeymooners. The hill station is surrounded by the majestic Himalayas and pleasant valleys. You can go to Sohlang valley and try different adventure sports like trekking, skiing, mountaineering etc. Again, due to the high popularity, this place is often jammed with traffic and people and remains closed from January to April. Try and avoid the monsoon season due to the dangers associated with these places and rains.GulmargSituated in Jammu and Kashmir this place is the definition of a picture-perfect location is Gulmarg for you. The best part about this place is that you can visit it any time from December to early March so you have lots of time in hand. Also, these months are perfect if you are into skiing and are an ardent snow lover. The place is close to another breathtaking place Srinagar and the two are often visited together. There is also Gondola ride available if you do not want to indulge into cliched sports like trekking and snowboarding. It is a heaven for mountaineers as it is the home to Mt. Kanchenjunga, the highest mountain peak of India.Nainital A simple hill station that will make you proud of the vast and varied beauty of India. October to February is the snow season here and you can freely visit this place without worrying about the harsh and extreme temperatures. This place is the home to many lakes and this is primarily the reason for its beauty and it is also called the Lake District of India. You can enjoy the panoramic view of this place with the ropeway which will definitely make you feel like you are in Gods own land. Although you might feel it is a very common and commercial place you will surely not regret visiting this place.LadakhIf you are into traveling Leh-Ladakh must surely be on your list. Majority of the times Leh remains out of reach so we have Ladakh for you. Leh highway is shut down after September and the best place to go trekking here is during January and February. This place has a 9-day trek from the frozen river named Zanskar begins in January and goes on till February or sometimes March. But the thing about this place is that it is not meant for first timers and is only meant for people who have had experience in trekking. The Chadar trek (trekking on a frozen river) is a must and ultimate experience for all those who love adventure and snow!AuliIndias hidden gem is Auli. This small hill station that lies in the alluring state of Uttrakhand is an absolutely gorgeous place that has skiing competitions and festivals. Although the place is gradually gaining popularity it is definitely one of the best places in India if you want to witness the true beauty of snow. You can enjoy views of the majestic Himalayas by visiting places like Nanda Devi, Mana Parvat, and Kamat Kamet. If you are a devout Hindu you can also visit the very spiritual place Joshimath which has a lot of religious significance among Hindus.PatnitopThe snow months here are between December to March. It is located in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir and is a hill resort in the midst of Shiwalik range of Himalayas. One of the most serene hill stations of India thanks to the calm Chenab river and the immense greenery due to the deodar and pine forests this place also has a lot of snow during the winter months. People can indulge in activities like snowboarding, skiing, and paragliding.Hemkund Sahib Valley of flowersThe name of the place literally means a lake of snow and is situated 4600m above the sea level. This place generally remains closed most of the time but if you are cautious and fast enough you can visit here during the months of October and early December where it is ideal for snow and it remains closed from December to May. The place is a Gurudwara dedicated to Guru Gobind Singh, who was the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. Due to the harsh conditions here, it is a herculean task to reach this place but once you visit this place you will feel it was totally worth your efforts and so much more!NarkandaAgain, this place is a hidden gem! Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh this place is not far from Shimla. It is the perfect place if you want to enjoy the pleasant snow weather without fighting the harsh winter conditions. Not just snow you will find heavy forests here along with apple orchards. Thanedar a place not far from Narkanda has some of the best apple orchards in the country and is surely a must visit the place. You can also visit Jalori pass to experience the beauty of the Himalayas covered in the blanket of snow during the winter months.Stay tuned for more.
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