Dalhousie is a quaint hill station in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh known for its pristine landscapes and mesmerizing valleys. Unlike other popular destinations in the state like Dharamshala or Shimla, Dalhousie, owning to its distance is less crowded. Although the number of visitors has increased in recent years, yet Dalhousie has been able to hold on to its colonial-era charm.
Winters are especially beautiful in Dalhousie and with the first shower of snow, the hills are shrouded with a carpet of white snow and Dalhousie looks something straight out of a fairytale. However, winter isn’t a great time for the natives. While it is enjoyable for the visitors, the first snow of the season usually signals the advent of a long harsh winter which means limited activity and less business for a town that almost entirely depends on tourism.
With global warming affecting climatic conditions and weather patterns, snowfall has become erratic over the years. Earlier snowfall was certain during the Christmas period but over the years, snowfall in the lower Himalayas has become less likely in December. I planned to reach Dalhousie and spend a few days there hoping to witness the first snowfall of the season during my stay. Google weather though notorious for its forecasts was the only tool to rely upon. It predicted snow on the evening of 26th December which they later corrected to 27th December. I planned my trip accordingly and booked accommodation for 3 days starting 27th Dec. I took a bus from Delhi to Pathankot and from there to Dalhousie.
My hotel was near the Netaji chowk and at a walkable distance from the mall road. After check-in at the hotel, I rested for some time and then walked to the mall road. The mall road is the centre of all activities in Dalhousie; here you will find food stalls, cafes and shops and emporiums selling handloom Kullu print shawls, mufflers and other winter wear. I was at the Mall road at about 5 PM and there was absolutely no trace of snowfall and I had a feeling “Google weather has done it again”.
It was about 7 in the evening and I was checking out a muffler in one of the shops when I heard a loud cheer outside; soon there was chaos and everyone in the shop including the shopkeeper stepped out. I followed them and saw swaths of white snow on the street, I looked up and there it was – the first snowfall of the year had just begun. There was excitement all around; people were capturing the sight on their mobiles, some took selfies, some were on a video call to share the moment with their family and friends and there were some who just stood there and enjoyed the feeling of the first snow. First snow much like the first rain of the season is an experience in itself and has different connotations for different people. For some, it brings misery and happiness for others but irrespective of it everyone welcomes the first snow.
In few hours, the landscape was transformed and everything was covered in snow. My room had a large window that opened to the valleys, snow drizzling down from the skies to cover every inch of the surface formed quite some sight. When I woke up the next morning, the valley looked surreal. It had snowed all night and it appeared as if the hill station had shrouded itself in a white blanket to beat the cold. I stepped out and everything look deserted, life had come to a standstill. Winter had come !
I hope you liked his post. Please share your feedback and experiences of snow in the comments section below. I will leave you with some more pictures of Dalhousie in white.
Jolly Miles 
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