5 Popular Tourist Destinations In India Where You Might Find Snow Even In March

March has this peculiar reputation in India. The plains are already warming up, people are putting away their shawls, and everyone's talking about the heat that is just around the corner. But here's the thing nobody tells you: while the rest of the country is dreading summer, certain corners of India are still deep in winter. Snow-capped peaks, frozen valleys, thick slopes of powder white and temperatures that demand two layers of wool. If you missed the snow season in December or January, do not panic. March is your second chance, and in some places, it is actually the best time to go. Here are five destinations where snow in March is not just possible, it is practically guaranteed.

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1. Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir

Photo Credit: Unsplash

If there is one place in India that delivers on snow every single time in March, it is Gulmarg. Situated at around 2,650 metres in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas, Gulmarg spends most of winter buried in snow, and March is no exception. The meadows that give this destination its name ("meadow of flowers" in Kashmiri) are anything but flowery in March. They are white, wide and spectacular.

The Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest cable car systems in the world, ascends to nearly 3,980 metres at Apharwat Peak, where the snow cover in March remains thick and solid. Skiers and snowboarders absolutely love this window because the slopes are still brilliant but the extreme peak-season crowds of January have thinned out. You can ski, snowboard, snowshoe, or simply ride the gondola to the top and stand there gaping at the view. On a clear day, you can see across to peaks in Pakistan. It genuinely does not feel real.

Beyond the skiing, Gulmarg in March has a particular quality of light: golden afternoons, crisp mornings and that specific silence that only deep snow produces. Temperatures can drop to around -7°C at night but are more manageable during the day. The nearest airport is Srinagar, about 56 km away. Regular cabs and taxis connect the two. Book accommodation in advance even for March because it fills up fast.

Best for: Skiing, snowboarding, gondola rides, mountain photography  
How to reach: Fly to Srinagar, cab to Gulmarg (about 1.5 hours)  
Stay: Multiple hotels ranging from budget guesthouses to Khyber Himalayan Resort

2. Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Spiti is not for everyone. Let us be upfront about that. At an average altitude of around 3,800 metres, the Spiti Valley in the Trans-Himalayan cold desert sits above the treeline, above most of the cloud systems and well above anything resembling convenient tourism infrastructure in winter. But for those who make the effort, March here is extraordinary.

The villages of Kaza, Kibber, Langza and Hikkim are still buried in snow in March. The Spiti River, which rushes blue and fast in summer, runs sluggishly under sheets of ice. The ancient monasteries of Key, Tabo and Dhankar sit against hillsides of frozen white, looking exactly like something out of a medieval dream. The sky is an almost aggressive shade of blue above all that white, and the contrast is remarkable.

Getting here in winter requires going via Shimla through the Hindustan-Tibet Highway (NH-5), as the Rohtang Pass route from Manali stays closed until May. The road conditions can be challenging and a 4x4 vehicle with an experienced driver is essential. Temperatures drop well below freezing at night, sometimes to -20°C or lower in higher areas, so pack seriously. There is a small but excellent infrastructure of homestays and basic hotels in Kaza, and the community tourism ecosystem here is genuinely one of the warmest you will find anywhere in India.

If you are lucky, you might also spot the snow leopard on a guided wildlife tour. March is still part of the snow leopard tracking season in Spiti.

Best for: Remote winter landscapes, monastery visits, snow leopard sightings, serious photographers  
How to reach: Drive from Shimla via Narkanda and Reckong Peo (10 to 12 hours)  
Stay: Homestays and guesthouses in Kaza

3. Auli, Uttarakhand

Auli is Uttarakhand's answer to Gulmarg, and it is a genuinely strong one. Situated in the Chamoli district at an altitude ranging from about 2,500 to 3,050 metres, Auli's ski slopes face a wall of Himalayan peaks including Nanda Devi, India's second-highest mountain. In March, the snow accumulated over winter is still deep on the higher slopes, and skiing conditions often remain excellent through to mid-month.

The Joshimath-Auli ropeway, which at nearly 4 km is one of the longest gondolas in Asia, carries you from the valley floor up to the slopes. The ride itself is worth it even if you are not skiing, because the views over the Alaknanda valley and towards the snow-capped peaks are simply stunning. At the top, you can ski, snowboard, or just walk through the snow towards the tree line and sit with a view that costs absolutely nothing.

What makes Auli particularly appealing compared to some of the other destinations on this list is its relative accessibility and good infrastructure. The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Corporation runs ski courses for beginners, so you do not need to already know how to ski to have a great time here. GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) runs a well-maintained guest house right at Auli, which has the advantage of being at altitude from the moment you wake up.

The nearest major railway station is Haridwar, from where you drive to Joshimath and then either take the ropeway or drive the last 16 km to Auli. Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the closest airport.

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Best for: Skiing, snowboarding, beginners in snow sports, family trips  
How to reach: Fly to Dehradun, drive to Joshimath, then ropeway or road to Auli  
Stay: GMVN Auli Resort, Cliff Top Club Resort, Mountain Rover

4. Yumthang Valley, North Sikkim

Most people know Yumthang Valley as the Valley of Flowers, famous for the explosion of rhododendrons and primulas that bloom every spring. What fewer people know is that in March, those flowers are still months away and the valley is still wearing its winter coat of snow. At an altitude of about 3,564 metres in North Sikkim, Yumthang holds on to snow until early March and sometimes beyond.

This is a different kind of snow experience from the ski resorts. Yumthang is quieter, more meditative. You drive up through the forests from the town of Lachung, and as the altitude increases, the trees get shorter and eventually disappear, leaving only a wide open valley with snow-covered slopes on every side. The Teesta river, still half-frozen, cuts through the white floor of the valley. On the clearest days, the Himalayan peaks above are visible and the silence is complete.

About 24 km beyond Yumthang is Zero Point, also called Yumesamdong, at an altitude of around 4,800 metres, which is essentially all snow and rocks in March. This is one of those places where you get out of the vehicle and just stand there because there is nothing else to do.

Sikkim requires an Inner Line Permit for Non-Resident Indians visiting restricted areas beyond Lachung, and North Sikkim is a restricted zone, so make sure you arrange your permits in advance through your tour operator or online. Gangtok is the base, reachable by a flight or shared cab from Bagdogra in West Bengal.

Best for: Scenic snow landscapes, peaceful retreats, photography  
How to reach: Fly to Bagdogra, cab to Gangtok, then arrange a day or overnight trip to Lachung and Yumthang  
Stay: Guesthouses and resorts in Lachung or Gangtok

5. Manali and Solang Valley, Himachal Pradesh

No list of snow destinations is complete without Manali, and March is actually a quietly brilliant time to visit. The frantic peak-season crowds of December and January have eased, prices drop meaningfully, and the snow on the higher slopes of Solang Valley and Rohtang is still very much present.

Solang Valley, about 14 km from Manali town, is the go-to spot for snow activities in this region. Ski slopes, snowmobiling, snow zorbing (you know, rolling down a hill in a large plastic ball, which is as ridiculous and fun as it sounds), sledging and horse rides through the snow are all available. You do not need to be a skier to have a full day here.

The broader Manali experience in March has its own particular pleasures. The Kullu-Manali area has excellent cafes, the old town of Vashisht with its hot springs is wonderful for sore muscles after a day in the snow, and the drive along the Beas River as you enter Manali is genuinely lovely when the mountains above are still capped in white.

Rohtang Pass itself is typically still closed in March (it usually opens in May), but the snow around it is visible and the approach roads give fantastic views. The Atal Tunnel route to Lahaul is open year-round and offers easy access to the snow-covered Sissu region just beyond the tunnel.

Manali is well connected by road from Delhi (about 550 km, easily done as an overnight bus journey) and the nearest airport is the Bhuntar Airport in Kullu, about 50 km away.

Best for: Snow activities, skiing, snowmobiling, accessibility, first-time snow experience  
How to reach: Overnight bus from Delhi, or fly to Bhuntar/Kullu airport  
Stay: Across all budgets, from backpacker hostels to mountain resorts

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Before You Pack Your Bags: A Few Honest Tips

Snow destinations in March require a bit of planning that warm-weather holidays do not. Carry genuine winter gear: thermal layers, a good wind-proof jacket, waterproof boots and wool socks. Do not underestimate the cold, especially at night. Roads at altitude can get icy and occasionally blocked, so keep buffer days in your itinerary. Mountain weather changes quickly, and the extra day you build into your plan may end up being the best one of the trip. Most importantly, respect the altitude. If you feel breathless or have a headache after arriving at a high-altitude destination, rest for a day before doing anything strenuous.

Winter Is Still Alive

March is a genuinely underrated time to chase snow in India. The peaks still wear their winter crowns, the slopes are full, but the worst of the crowds have gone home and the mood at most mountain destinations has softened into something more relaxed and unhurried. Gulmarg gives you world-class skiing, Spiti gives you solitude and raw beauty, Auli gives you beginner-friendly access to brilliant snow, Yumthang gives you the Northeast's quiet wonder, and Manali gives you the classic experience with all the convenience. Five very different answers to the same question: where can I still find snow? Go find yours.