A child seeing snow for the first time is truly a magical moment. The tiny marks made by tiny feet on the fresh, soft snow, the glowing snow balls held in gloved hands, and those big eyes just looking around in amazement, it is a sight to behold. If you want to show the first snow to your children this time and want to have a memorable winter holiday with the family, then there are many beautiful places in India where snowfall starts very early (as early as November-early December) and children can have a lot of fun. Come, let us know those best places-
Auli is also called Switzerland of India. There are huge white slopes here and snow covered forests all around. Children can run freely here, roll in the snow and slide on small slopes. The most interesting thing – there is a ropeway (cable car) from Joshimath to Auli, in which the children sit and scream after seeing the entire snowy view from above. Snowfall usually starts from late November and lasts for a long time.
Manali and Solang Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Manali is everyone’s favorite place, and Solang Valley receives the first and most snowfall in North India. Here, sledding (wooden cart) riding, snow tubing (sliding while sitting in a big tube), and making snow piles, this place is heaven for children. Good snow accumulates here only in late November or early December. If you go a little higher, near Rohtang Pass or Atal Tunnel, you get even more snow.
Sinthan Top, Jammu and Kashmir
Very few people know this place, hence there is less crowd here. There is a very high pass and snow covered mountains all around. The first snowfall here occurs very quickly and the views are so beautiful that you will not get tired of taking photographs. Best for families who want peace and fresh snow.
Sonamarg itself means ‘golden plain’, and in winter the entire plain turns white and silver. Good snowfall starts here only in November-December. Here children can play in the snow, ride a pony and also see the Thajiwas Glacier a short distance away. Roads get closed due to heavy snowfall in January-February, hence November-December is the best time.
Rohtang Pass, a little above Manali, is often covered with a thick blanket of snow during October-November. Here children can slide in the snow, make snowmen and have a lot of fun. The photos come out very nice and the cold also feels great i.e. real winter fun!
This year, the first snowfall occurred in Gulmarg on 2nd October itself! Here is the world’s highest Gondola (cable car), sitting in which children feel like flying over the snow covered mountains. There are plenty of open fields where children can play in the snow for hours.
If you are from Delhi, Chandigarh or Punjab and do not want to go too far, then Shimla-Kufri is the easiest and safest place for children. Snow arrives a little late in Shimla city, but Kufri (just 15 km away) gets good snow accumulation only in November-December. Here pony ride, mini zoo, yak ride and light sledding are perfect for small children.
So just pack your bag, take along warm clothes, gloves, hat and waterproof shoes for children and set out. That magic of the first snow and that happiness of children will become the sweetest memories of your life.
