Introduction:

Making a 'snowman' was always a dream to me unless I visited Himachal. The small hilly state leaves you awestruck with its spellbinding beauty and adventures. Even during the colonial era, Himachal was considered one of the famous 'winter destination' among the Britishers. Also known as the 'Devbhoomi,' several tourists destinations have emerged here in the past few years. When finding winter spots in Himachal Pradesh, you may sometimes get confused seeing the heavy influx of such places. Whether you're planning for a winter trek or trying out some skiing, driving in the ice-laden roads or walking on the frozen lakes- Himachal is your go-to place.

Here, we have brought some of the best destinations in Himachal that you may plan to visit these winters. We have chosen them after keeping certain factors in mind that include distance, budget and accessibility. Towards enjoying the winters to the fullest and living our childhood dreams, let us read more!

Shimla:

I remember visiting Shimla on my bike during the New Year eve of 2016. I must say, the experience is one of the best experiences in my life. The road to Shimla from Chandigarh is well metalled and perfect for a ride. However, I won't recommend you visiting Shimla during the New Year Weekend unless you are the one who loves the crowd. The entire town and the highway remain packed with people planning to celebrate the onset of a new year. To enjoy the beauty of Shimla to the fullest, you may plan to visit here after the first week of the year. It will not only let you escape the crowd but also help you save your money as the tariffs are generally higher during peak hours.

What makes Shimla one of the best winter spots in Himachal is the organised architecture and view from the city. While you are in Shimla, you must walk across Mall Road and must try the brewed coffee in some of the finest bakeries across India here. The mighty Jakhu Hanuman temple, situated at a trekking distance of just 1.5 km serves you the best views of Shimla and is a must-visit. Generally, the city experiences a good snowfall after November till February, pretty enough to fire your friends with the snowballs!

Manali:

An overnight journey from Delhi, Manali is a famous hill station located in Himachal Pradesh. The town is known for offering you spellbinding views of the Pir-Panjal and Dhauladhar mountain ranges. What I still miss about this place is trying out the wide variety of street food options served here. While in Manali, you must eat the famous 'Babru.' a patty that looks similar to the famous kachori in appearance. I remember how I would spend every evening here eating babru, sipping a hot cup of ginger tea and playing with the very friendly pets around the streets. Secondly, if you are a non-vegetarian, you must try the delectable Chha Gosht. It's a dish made of mutton, cooked with curd, gram flour and the sweet air of the mountains! Eating this will certainly provide warmth to your body at a time when the city remains covered with snow and when your body requires heat to pump the blood.

If you are visiting here in the summers, you should visit the Rohtang pass. I must say, Rohtang is one of the must-visit places for a travel freak. The mighty snow-clad mountains seem so close to you that you feel as if you can touch them. Sometimes, the pass is also kept open during winters (depends on the snow level) but you require a valid permit to visit here in winters. You may try getting one with the help of local authorities.

You can plan to visit Manali by your vehicle or choose public transport. Buses, including AC and Non-AC, are easily available from Delhi and cost you Rs. 600 to Rs. 2000.

Kangra:

Kangra is one of the oldest cities in Himachal Pradesh and has great importance in terms of the history of Himachal Pradesh. Right from the monuments built by the local Rajas to the temples built by Pandavas, Kangra is certainly a culture-rich town. The town is located at a distance of around 450km from Delhi and is an overnight journey. Why I consider Kangra as one of the best winter spots in Himachal is its proximity to other two famous towns, Dharamshala and McLeodganj. These two noted destinations are located within just 30 kilometres from Kangra and are a must-visit. The best part is that each place gives you a different experience even after being so close to each other.

Though the three of them are popularly visited during the summers, I recommend you to visit here during winters. The reason is the sublime view of the Dhauladhar mountain ranges that you get from here. Sometimes, the town is fully snow-laden and you'll find your legs hiding under the snow. Awesome experience! At the same time, you should try the momos serves in Dharamshala. Dharamshala dominantly consists of the Nepalese and Tibetian who are proficient in cooking momos and other street food items. Also, you get a cup of delicious soup free with each plate of momo.

But, what makes my journey to Kangra a memorable one is my stay in one of the mudhouses here. Mudhouses consist of rooms made of mud, straws and glue. The best part is that these rooms remain cool during summers and vice-versa. The experience kept me out of the daily life that I spend while sleeping in cemented rooms and let me earn memories of a lifetime. This reminded me of my stay at one of the mudhouses in Chopta, Uttarakhand where I spent a month working from home and trekking to Tungnath, the world's highest Shiva temple. Mudhouses are love, indeed!

Parashar Lake:

Parashar Lake is a high altitude lake situated in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. The lake sits at an elevation of around 2,800 metres above sea level and is named after the famous saint Parashar, the father of Vyas Rishi-the compiler of Mahabharata. If you love spending your time counting the starts and blowing the vapour off your mouth, we suggest you visit here. Parashar lake is famous for serving you the best views of the milky-way galaxy and is a heaven for photographers.

What I liked the most about Parashar lake is a small island that floats around the lake! Yes! A floating island. Though you aren't allowed to enter the lake, yet, you'll certainly rush to your phone and click the photograph of this amazing island phenomenon. However, during winters, the lake is generally frozen as the temperature dips below the freezing point. You must not forget to carry your woollen clothes, lest, the experience could turn into a horrible one too!!

In the past few years, Parashar has gained the news due to its camping arrangements. The area around the lake is suitable to pitch your tent and spending the night. However, you may find several campsites that have evolved at some distance from the lake to serve you better! Do not forget to visit the famous triple storeyed temple once you are at Parashar.

Parashar is situated at a distance of around 480 km from Delhi and it's recommended to visit here with either your vehicle or hire a taxi. Public transport, however, isn't very frequent.

Kufri:

Are you the one who loves mountains sports and looking to have some adventure between the snow-fed mountains of Himachal? Well, in that case, Kufri can be your 'go to' destination. Kufri is a beautiful hill station located at a distance of 15km from Shimla and known as a skiers heaven. The gentle slope and the stretched terrain on both the side of the mountains make Kufri a perfect skiing destination. You may discover several people doing skiing here, including highly trained professionals and novice players.

What I recommend you is to visit Kufri after the first week of January. It is the time when you experience the lesser crowd and can easily enjoy the sightseeing. Winters are very cold in Kufri and one must carry enough thermals to survive the bone-freezing weather. Being one of the most famous winter spots in Himachal, Kufri experiences a heavy footfall of tourists around the year. The destination is also well suitable to travel even during the summers and post-monsoon. After the rainy season, the entire town is covered with a green blanket, making it a perfect background for your next profile picture!

Conclusion:

Himachal is full of life and adventure. While a number of destinations have evolved in Himachal in the past few years, we recommend you visit these places for the best experiences. And yes, do not forget to try the local food, trekking and stays as we mentioned here! Bon Voyage!