With many areas of India sweltering under the summer sun, it’s enough to make anyone ache for the simple pleasures of winter. Luckily for us the country’s diverse topography means that there are indeed some places scattered across the country where visitors can take advantage of making snow statues even under the blazing sun.
Pack your coats and boots for a holiday at some of the following places with year-round snow cover.
This mountain pass has an elevation of 3,980m and is one of the few places where you can find snow even in summer. The views here are to die for and visitors can enjoy snowy thrills like tobogganing down its slopes on sleds and skiing till they’re exhausted. Make sure you follow your guides’ instructions at all times to be safe.
Sikkim's Valley of Flowers is blessed with a wealth of natural beauty and over 24 varieties of rhododendrons blooming in the spring. Within it is Yumesamdong, also known as Zero Point, which stands at an altitude of 4,663m above sea level. It is the last point of human settlement set amid a panoramic view of snow-clad mountains and picturesque surroundings. The area is carpeted with snow even at the height of summer. If you are lucky you may even spot blue sheep grazing in the meadows.
Visitors have to apply for a special permit if they are visiting Yumesamdong due to its sensitive location on the border between India and China.
The hill station of Sonamarg is located at an altitude of 2,730m and was receiving snowfall in mid-April of this year alone. Located in Jammu and Kashmir, visitors can avail of treks and river rafting activities while there. Its alpine meadows are a pretty sight in spring and summer and its snow-laden fields, majestic glaciers, and serene lakes will make anyone’s heart melt with its beauty.
With its link to the Amarnath Yatra, Pahalgam is popular with devotees and tourists hoping to enjoy its scenic beauty and divinity. Even as the meadows blossom in spring the hill station remains coated in snow year-round due to its 2,200m elevation. Picnics are one of the best ways to savour the atmosphere of this sleepy town but you won’t go wrong with a spot of mountaineering, camping and trekking in the hills and valleys of this winter wonderland.
