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Where to find snow in December

Manali & Solang, Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La and Brahmatal lead a list of 13. Places where snow is likely in December and the trip is still practical, ranked by how good each is for snow.

Ranked from our own destination data on season, difficulty, altitude, cost and who each place suits. Not paid for, and not the same as “most popular”.

  1. 1Himachal · KulluManali & SolangAt its best in December; easy, 3–5 days.The classic honeymoon and family hill station, with winter snow at Solang and Atal Tunnel.Best months: Dec, Jan, Feb, May, Jun, Oct · Why not: Traffic jams and crowds in peak season; it can feel like a city in the hills.
  2. 2Sikkim · East SikkimTsomgo Lake & Nathu LaAt its best in December; easy, 4 days.A glacial lake at 3,750 m and the old Silk Route pass on the China border, a day trip from Gangtok.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, Dec · Why not: Permit-only, crowded in season, and the altitude jumps fast on a day trip.
  3. 3Uttarakhand · Lohajung, ChamoliBrahmatalAt its best in December; easy to moderate, 6–7 days.A winter trek with frozen lakes and close views of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti.Best months: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar · Why not: Longer journey to the trailhead — about 10–11 hours by road from Kathgodam or Rishikesh.
  4. 4Uttarakhand · Sankri, UttarkashiKedarkanthaAt its best in December; easy to moderate, 6 days.The classic first winter trek: pine forest, snow camps and a summit sunrise over the Garhwal range.Best months: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar · Why not: It is the most crowded winter trek in India — camps are packed on weekends and around New Year.
  5. 5Uttarakhand · Joshimath, ChamoliAuliPossible in December; easy, 4–5 days.Snow slopes with a view of Nanda Devi, and India's best-known ski meadow outside Gulmarg.Best months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov · Why not: Snowfall is unreliable some winters; check reports before booking a ski trip.
  6. 6Kashmir · BaramullaGulmargPossible in December; easy, 3–4 days.India's ski resort — deep powder, the Gondola to Apharwat, and meadows in summer.Best months: Jan, Feb, Mar, May, Jun · Why not: Expensive in peak winter and very crowded around New Year.
  7. 7Uttarakhand · Barsu, UttarkashiDayara BugyalPossible in December; easy to moderate, 5–6 days.Rolling alpine meadows at 3,600 m with a gentle gradient — the friendliest high-altitude trek in Garhwal.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov · Why not: Not a summit trek — you go for the meadow, not for a peak.
  8. 8Himachal · ShimlaShimlaAt its best in December; easy, 3–4 days.The former summer capital of British India — the Mall, Ridge, Jakhoo temple and the toy train.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec · Why not: Very crowded in summer; traffic on the Cart Road is slow all day.
  9. 9Sikkim · Pakyong, East SikkimZuluk & the Silk RouteAt its best in December; easy, 4–5 days.The zigzag Old Silk Route road through Zuluk, Thambi viewpoint and Kupup lake.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, Dec · Why not: Very basic homestays, permit-only, and snow can block the road in winter.
  10. 10Sikkim · North SikkimLachung & Yumthang ValleyPossible in December; easy, 5–6 days.A wooden village under sheer cliffs and a valley of rhododendrons and hot springs, with Zero Point beyond.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov · Why not: Long, rough drives from Gangtok, and roads close after landslides.
  11. 11Arunachal · TawangTawang & Sela PassPossible in December; easy, 6–7 days.India's largest monastery in a high valley near Bhutan and Tibet, reached over the snowy Sela Pass.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov · Why not: Two long days by road each way from Guwahati, and Sela can close in heavy snow.
  12. 12Uttarakhand · Chopta, RudraprayagChopta, Tungnath & ChandrashilaPossible in December; easy to moderate, 4–5 days.A short climb to the highest Shiva temple in the world and a 360° Himalayan summit.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov · Why not: Tungnath temple is closed in winter (roughly Nov–Apr), and the meadow is busy on long weekends.
  13. 13Uttarakhand · Sankri, UttarkashiHar Ki DunPossible in December; easy to moderate, 7–8 days.A cradle-shaped valley below Swargarohini, walked through ancient Mahabharata-linked villages.Best months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov · Why not: Long drive to Sankri first, and the trail is popular in May–June and September–October.
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Snow in December: quick answers

Where to find snow in December: which are the top picks?

Manali & Solang, Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La and Brahmatal come first of 13 places. Places where snow is likely in December and the trip is still practical, ranked by how good each is for snow.

Which of these is the easiest?

Shimla, in Himachal: it reaches 2,454 m and needs 3 days on the ground.

Which is the cheapest?

Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila, at about ₹2,200 per person per day on the ground.

Which goes the highest?

Lachung & Yumthang Valley, at 4,700 m.

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