Straight out of fairy tales: places to experience snowfall in Uttarakhand

It’s snowing in the upper reaches of Uttarakhand, making them look beautiful than ever before. While heavy snowfall has brought life to a halt at a number of places in the state, travellers can finally have that year-end trip to this snow land. If you are keen to find a perfect getaway for a Christmas or New Year escape and are searching for a place that is offbeat, we have the perfect guide for you.

Kalap
Kalap is a stunning village in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is nestled in the Himalayas at a height of 7800 ft, and is quite a forerunner when it comes to eco-tourism. Apart from its regular charms—lush meadows, pine forests and stunning vistas—Kalpa will be hosting its annual village festival from January 21 to 26 this year. It promises to be a wonderful event, with 24X7 festivities that include enactments of Mahabharata, Pandav Nritya, folklore and more.

Khirsu
If you can brave the cold and are keen for a road trip, Uttarakhand’s Khirsu will not disappoint you. A far cry from congested hill stations, Khirsu is for those who prefer solitude and do-nothing vacations over a packed itinerary. The winter temperature hovers around 5 degree Celsius and there is a definite promise of snowfall as well. Once here, you can soak in 360-degree views of Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nand Kot and Panchuli peaks from Khirsu.

Chakrata

An easier trip as compared to Kalap or Khirsu, Chakrata is just a 3-hour drive from Dehradun and is perfect to experience snowfall in Uttarakhand. If you are over the traffic-lined roads to the more popular places in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and yet seek a comfortable trip, Chakrata is your best bet. Its proximity to Delhi and other major towns of northern India also make it perfect for a quick weekend getaway.

Munsiyari

Munsiyari is one of the most stunning places to visit in Uttarakhand. More so in winters as the entire region gets covered in sheets of snow. It also sees skiing and winter sports’ enthusiasts and lies in the Pithoragarh district. It is fondly referred to as Little Kashmir and we cannot deny the charming vistas on offer here.
Lohaghat

Lohaghat is another offbeat place in the state of Uttarakhand, and promises a steady chance of snowfall in the months of December and January. It lies in District Champawat; pack in all your heavy woollens for this trip as winters bring bitter cold to the region. Nevertheless, Lohaghat is one of those perfect fairytale places in Uttarakhand that turns white in Christmas, sans any crowd.