As soon as the winter season knocks and the mercury starts falling, the desire to visit the mountains and see snowfall starts rising in the minds of travel lovers. Whenever there is talk of winter vacation or snowfall in India, the first names that come to people's lips are Shimla and Manali. However, in the last few years, due to the huge crowd of tourists and commercialization at these popular hill stations, one cannot get the peace and natural tranquility in search of which a real traveler turns to the mountains. If you are also looking for a place this winter season which is less crowded, where nature is present in its complete purity and where there is only white blanket of snow all around, then you should move beyond Shimla and Manali and move towards some offbeat and very beautiful places. Let us know about those 5 amazing snowy locations in India which you should definitely include in your bucket list this winter. Auli (Uttarakhand): This beautiful snow paradise is no less than a paradise for skiing lovers. 'Auli', located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, is one of the few places in India which is completely covered with a white sheet of snow during winter. Surrounded by Nanda Devi, Kamet and Mana mountain ranges, this place is famous for skiing all over the world. If you love adventure amidst snow clad hills, then Auli is like a dream come true for you. When the sun's rays fall on the snowy slopes here, the view is worth seeing. The ride on Asia's longest and highest 'Ropeway' going from Joshimath to Auli makes this journey more exciting. After reaching here, you can enjoy snow trekking among the cedar forests and spend relaxing moments with your family or partner. Spiti Valley (Himachal Pradesh): Unique thrill of icy desert in sub-zero temperatures. If you want to see something very exciting and challenging apart from the usual hill stations, then head to 'Spiti Valley' of Himachal Pradesh. During the winter season, Spiti Valley is completely covered in snow and the temperature here drops several degrees below zero. Between the cold winds and the white blanket of snow spread all around, this place appears like a cold desert. When areas like Key Monastery and Kaza are covered with snow, the spiritual peace and beauty there gives a supernatural experience. However, reaching here in winter is a bit difficult and requires complete preparation, but for those who are fond of adventure and photography, this can prove to be the most memorable journey of their life. Chopta and Tungnath (Uttarakhand): Amazing view of nature in the valleys of Mini Switzerland. 'Chopta' situated in the lap of Uttarakhand is gradually making its own identity among the tourists across the country due to its natural beauty. It is often called the 'Mini Switzerland' of India. During winter, Chopta is completely covered with a thick blanket of snow, due to which the pathways and grasslands here appear completely white. The track to the world's highest Shiva temples i.e. 'Tunganath' and 'Chandrashila' starts from Chopta itself. The trek to Tungnath becomes quite challenging during snowfall in winter, but the Himalayan views and peace found on its way fascinate the tourists. If you want to spend winter vacation in a peaceful environment by staying very close to nature, then Chopta is the best option for you. Gulmarg (Jammu and Kashmir): A real paradise situated on snowy mountains amidst the clouds, the beauty of Kashmir, known as the crown of India, gets enhanced during winters, and when it comes to Gulmarg, it cannot be compared with any beautiful place in the world. During winter season, every corner of Gulmarg is covered with a deep blanket of snow. The famous 'Gulmarg Gondola' ride here is the world's highest and second longest car-only ride, through which you can admire the clouds and snow-clad peaks from above. This place is no less than a paradise for lovers of winter sports, snowboarding and making snow men. Enjoying the snowfall while sipping Kashmiri Kahwa will make this trip fresh in your mind forever. Lachung and Yumthang Valley (Sikkim): Unique feeling of snowy valleys of North East India. If you move from the mountains of North India towards Northeast India, then 'Lachung' and 'Yumthang Valley' of Sikkim are worth seeing in winter. Yumthang is also called 'Valley of Flowers', but in winter, instead of flowers, it appears completely covered with white sheets of snow. The natural waterfalls, snowy mountains and silence all around mesmerize the tourists. The local culture, Sikkimese hospitality and yak riding make this journey more exciting. Far away from the hustle and bustle of Shimla and Manali, time spent in these tranquil valleys of Sikkim is enough to remove all your tiredness. Before going on a winter trip, keep these things in mind, as exciting as it is to travel to snowy places in the winter season, it is equally important to be careful. Many times the roads are closed due to extreme cold and snowfall, so before starting your journey, be sure to get complete information about the weather patterns and road conditions. Be sure to carry adequate amount of thermal wear, heavy woolen clothes, gloves, mufflers and snow boots with good grip. Apart from this, do not forget to keep first aid box and essential medicines with you. Explore these beautiful and snowy locations this winter season and capture some of the most beautiful moments in your memory album forever.
