Snow Adventures in Himachal: A Guide to Winter Sports and Activities

Insta Himachal

1 year ago

Before we start the blog, we would like to ask you something. Can we?

Once you finish reading the blog, tell us in the comments section, what inspired you to seek out the snow or share your very first snow experience if you’re from the plains. Was it scary or fun? Come on tell us. We’re genuinely excited to hear your tales.

So for the people growing up in a place that’s bone-dry and humid, where the sun is your eternal companion, always shining with a vengeance, the idea of snowfall is like a mirage, almost unreal, yet incredibly fascinating. Isn’t it?

And if you’re still scrolling through Instagram reels of snow-covered places, take a moment to read this because the scoop is right here! Snow Adventures in Himachal is an absolute delight, full of love and fun. During Winter, all the high-altitude places turn white, and they’re a sight for sore eyes. Well, you’ll need those shades because you can’t see such whiteness through the naked eye.

Wait, there’s more!

Winter activities in Himachal Pradesh are something you would not want to miss. From Skiing and snowboarding to trekking in snow, you’ve got a lot more options here.

Himachal is hell-cold in winter, the temperature ranges from 0 to -15 degrees Celsius during the day and even lower at night. So when you think of indulging in the adventure snow sports in Himachal you must pack smartly.

Snow Adventures and Activities in Himachal Pradesh

1. Skiing
2. Ice Skating
3. Snow Trekking
4. Snowboarding
5. Snow Scooting
6. Snowshoeing
7. Ice Hockey
8. Ice Climbing
9. Paragliding

1. Skiing

Skiing - Best Snow Adventure in Himachal - Insta Himachal

Skiing is one of the best-known Winter sports in Himachal. It’s a beautiful experience in itself. Imagine you’re skiing carving down the powdery snow without even caring about the world. It’s such a sheer joy!

Himachal is India’s top skiing destination. Have you ever heard of Sethan? It’s a cute little Buddhist hamlet located 13 km from Manali having the best slopes for skiing. Excitingly, the slopes here can only be accessed on foot, unlike other places like Auli and Gulmarg which means you’ll see no traffic here. So don’t worry about waiting for your turn. It’s a win-win!

Here Are Some Skiing Spots in Himachal Pradesh:

1. Sethan
2. Solang Valley
3. Narkanda
4. Kufri
5. Hanuman Tibba

The best time for Skiing in Himachal Pradesh is from December to February when you’ll find places packed with skiers. Make sure you find a perfect place for you. We already suggested one.

So whether you’re a newbie in town or a pro, you must give it a try. It’ll add a dose of adventure to your life. The cost you ask? Well, it’s a budget-friendly sport so you just have to pay Rs. 500. So are you ready?

2. Ice Skating

Ice Skating is something that most of the people are afraid of. Are you? If not then you must give it a try. Come to Himachal in winter and experience Ice skating in Shimla’s iconic ice rink which is not only the oldest open-air natural rink in India but also the biggest in South Asia.
Not only Shimla but there are more fantastic locations where you can experience this amazing sport.

A Few Places for Ice Skating in Himachal Pradesh Are:

1. Narkanda
2. Solang Valley

What not to miss- Ice Skating festival in Shimla. It’s the time when the city turns lively and vibrant. It’s a full blast. You’ll hear the buzz all over the Mall Road. You’ve gotta be there!!

So whether you’re a skiing enthusiast or someone who just wants to sit at the rinkside and enjoy the sights and sounds, both ways it’s going to be fun. Icing on the cake- it’s an excellent way to get your exercise done. Your body will be active in those cold days.

Speaking of the cost, it’s super budget-friendly, ranging from INR 200 to INR 500.

3. Snow Trekking

Himachal has some of the best trekking destinations. Routes range from difficult to moderate to easy. But one thing is for sure, all these treks would definitely introduce you to the mesmerizing side of the state. Photographers! You’ve got this.

Remember the song ‘Subhanallah’ from the movie “Yeh jawaani hai deewani“? If yes then don’t get fooled by their idea of trekking. It happens only in the movies. Trekking in the snow is a bit challenging if you’re a newbie. Stepping on that pristine snow may seem exciting but trust us do it only if you’re ready.

Apart from being cautious, that feeling of being on top or at that frozen lake you’re trekking to is the most satisfying thing you’ll ever experience.

Even words can’t express what it’s like. Magical! It’s totally Magical.

Hey, something exciting here!

If you’re into reading adventures, give Sabse Uncha Pahad a shot, it’s a book written by Tarun Goyal, a Himachali author. It’s all about his trekking adventures. Trust us it’s worth reading. It’s in Hindi and is written flawlessly. See if you can get access to that book. No promo, just a solid recommendation from our side. Do read if it sounds right up your street!
Thank us later!

Check Out These Top Trekking Spots in Himachal:

1. Triund Trek
2. Bhrigu Lake Trek
3. Beas Kund Trek
4. Hampta Pass Trek
5. Rani Sui Lake
6. Prashar Lake Trek
7. Kheerganga Trek
8. Serolsar Lake Trek

The cost for these treks totally depends on the specific trek you choose.

Also, don’t just rush to the treks in the peak winters if you’re not sure about it. You can consider planning for March and April. Don’t worry about the snow, you’ll still find these places covered in snow. Hallelujah!!

4. Snowboarding

Making balance on a piece of a slide board with so many clothes on is a task. But for snowboarders, it’s merely a thing! Right?

When it comes to snowboarding in Himachal Sethan in Manali has nice, gentle slopes. A big thumbs up for the beginners. Also for the pros, it’s the perfect snowboarding destination, with deep powder, tons of trails, and some truly challenging “off-piste” runs.

Travel publications like Tripadvisors, and others, list Sethan as one of the top destinations for learning the sport. The Redbull Magazine has rated Sethan as one of India’s top 5 snowboarding destinations. Skiing is no exception.

Here Are a Few More Go-to Spots for Snowboarding in Himachal Pradesh:

1. Solang Valley
2. Kufri
3. Around Gulaba
4. Narkanda

If you’re headed to Manali it would be better to stay near Sethan. This place has a smaller crowd as compared to Solang Valley which is great news! The reason we’re mentioning it is because staying here makes it easy to indulge in snowboarding courses offered by the nearby stays. One is Footloose Camps. They offer various packages, you can opt for the one suitable for you.

As for the cost, it starts at INR 900 and up.

Apart from enjoying the real adventure we’ve got a bonus adventure in store for you. Have you ever stayed in an igloo before or it’s just an imaginary thing for you yet? If not then you’re going to live in one. Yes, Sethan has them. Despite the fact that Igloo stays aren’t 5-star accommodations, they are an experience you won’t want to miss. The igloo stays provide warm sleeping bags, comfortable mattresses, etc., so you’ll be sleeping like a baby.

5. Snow Scooting

One of the best winter sports in Himachal Pradesh. Riding a scooter is not the first choice these days but you would definitely ride it if it’s in snow. We’re talking about Snow Scooter. It’s a combination of a scooter and a snowboard.

If you’re in Manali with your family, giving this adventure sport a shot is definitely worth it. You can drive it by yourself but for that, you need to provide them with your driver’s license or else you’ve got an experienced snow scooter driver to ride it for you. Trust us, it’s going to be fun—one suggestion: just don’t eat too much before you go for your drive.

Top Spot for Snow Scooting in Himachal Pradesh:

1. Manali (Solang Valley)

Riding a snow scooter will cost you around INR 1,300. The best time to do this fun activity is between October to February. Have fun!

6. Snowshoeing

One for the families! After throwing all these snow adventures to you, the ones who are novices to the field of sports might be afraid of the risk associated with these activities. But hey! Here’s the easiest sport for you. You just have to head out of your stay and walk straight into the forest with your guides or if you don’t have one you can go by yourself, it’s just a trail walking.

Put on your snowshoes and hit the nearest trail leaving those big footprints behind. Make sure the shoe selection is always right. After all, they are the key here. And as there is not much to do except for walking you can make those cinematic snow reels or click some beautiful pictures of you and the surroundings or whatever you’re best at!

Snowshoeing in Himachal Pradesh:

1. Shimla
2. Manali
3. Dalhousie

It’s obviously free of cost!

7. Ice Hockey

In the past few years, Ice hockey in Himachal has seen a remarkable surge. From deciding to make stadiums to organizing state championships the Himachal Government is doing it all. Although it’s a very popular sport in Ladakh as the weather in Spiti (Kaza) resonates with that of Ladakh, it ultimately makes Spiti good for ice Hockey. Due to the low temperature, the ice quality here is just perfect! The temperature settles close to minus 25 degrees Celsius.

The 50mX35m rink is built at an altitude of 12,000ft from sea level. It was developed by the local officials and it has been made by freezing the water naturally. This innovative decision not only provided access to the Ice rink but fostered a sense of togetherness. It is empowering the youth and spotlighting the budding talents of the region. They even provide free training to the children of the region.

So if you’re here around any of the events. Don’t miss out on it. And if you know how to skate, you’re all set for this. Don’t worry if you don’t, the community is always there to teach you.

Ice Hockey in Himachal Pradesh:

1. Kaza (Lahaul Spiti)
2. Shimla

8. Ice Climbing

A thrilling and challenging adventure! Not many of you might have heard about Ice Climbing, if you have heard we’re sure you haven’t experienced it yet. Don’t worry Himachal’s Lahaul has it all. Here, you’ll get over hundreds of falls that freeze in the peak winters and are perfect to climb. If you’re a newbie, there are small falls for you. And for the pros, there are real giants, you’ve got one fall with a whopping height of 250 meters at the ‘Meh’ village, Lahaul.

A majority of falls are perched along the Bhaga River, a tributary of the mighty Chenab. Others are found in Commando Nallah and Sissu.

Freezing of falls and water streams means some serious low temperatures. It drops down to as low as minus 15 to minus 20 degree Celsius. Even low from this.

If you’re keen on learning Ice Climbing, Lahaul is your place to be. They have experienced guides who have gained training from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS) in Manali, so you’re in good hands. What is even more exciting is that the local trained climbers conduct training camps for other youths of the valley with the help of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF). Great news! Isn’t it? Interested ones can book their spot!

The best time to do Ice climbing is between mid-December and February. If you’re lucky you can do it in the first half of March. And speaking of Ice climbing on glaciers is possible throughout the year.

9. Paragliding

You may not be able to fly with your natural wings, which you don’t have obviously, but paragliding is the closest you can get to feeling like a bird!

Paragliding is something that is not only enjoyed in winter but it’s an all-year-round sport. However, believe it or not, in winter there is something extra special about it as you get to glide over those snow-capped mountains.

Imagine standing at a certain height and then suddenly jumping off the cliff with the support of bungee cords. Well, that’s the exhilarating thrill of Paragliding! In Himachal, you can experience this thrill in various places but as we’re the proud owners of Asia’s highest and World’s second-highest paragliding site i.e. Bir Billing, it’s best you do it from there. It’s a twin town. You take off from Bir and land in Bir.

Places Where Tourists Can Enjoy Paragliding Are:

1. Rohtang Pass
2. Kothi below Rohtang Pass
3. Solang Nala in Manali
4. Bijli Mahadev near Kullu
5. Dobhi in Manali
6. Indrunag in Dharamshala
7. Bandla Ridge in Bilaspur

So, did we excite you for once at least? We’re sure after reading about these winter sports activities in Himachal you’re mentally here now! Aren’t you?

Make sure you catch Himachal in its most pretty form. So whether it’s a honeymoon, family trip, friend trip or solo trip include these activities in your itinerary.

If there are any queries regarding any of this, feel free to get in touch with us. We’re always here! Also, as the snow falls, we’ll be sharing some amazing content created by our talented creators on IG reels. Do follow us there. Our Instagram handle is InstaHimachal.

So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags get your tickets sorted and just land in SNOW!

Adventure on, folks!

A GENTLE REMINDER

Don’t forget to share what we asked for in the first place.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are the Famous snow sports in Himachal Pradesh?
Skiing, Snowboarding, Ice Climbing, Snow trekking, and Ice skating are the snow sports of Himachal Pradesh.

2. What is the most popular snow sport in Himachal?
Skiing and snowboarding are the most popular snow sports in Himachal.

3. What is the safest snow sport?
Speaking of safety, Snowshoeing and Snow hiking is the safest sport of all.

4. What is the easiest snow sport?
The easiest snow sport is snowshoeing, as it doesn’t require special skills or equipment.

5. What are snow adventure destinations in Himachal Pradesh?
Narkanda, Kufri, Solang Valley, Manali, and Shimla are the snow adventure destinations in Himachal Pradesh.

6. Is it Dangerous to Paraglide in winter?
Preferably not. Paragliding totally depends upon the weather and the safety measures which are to be checked by the pilot themselves.