Shimla in winter is a different city from Shimla in summer. The tourists have gone. The Mall Road is quiet. The mountains are white. The colonial architecture — Christ Church, the Viceregal Lodge, the town hall — wears a dignity that the summer crowds obscure. If you have only seen Shimla in peak season, winter will show you why the British called it the Queen of the Hills.
UNO Hotels & Resorts is headquartered in Shimla — 3rd Floor, Chauhan Building, NH-22 Bhattakufar, Kamla Nagar, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171006. We know this city and its hotels better than any other platform. Here is what we recommend for a winter trip.
When to Visit for Snow
Shimla typically receives its first significant snowfall between late December and mid-January. The heaviest and most reliable snowfall is January and February. March can still see snowfall but is more variable. For a near-guaranteed snow experience, book for the last week of December through the first two weeks of February.
The Kufri area (15 km from Shimla town, altitude 2,600m) and Narkanda (65 km, altitude 2,700m) typically receive more snow than the town itself. If you want deep snow and winter activities, these are the better bases.
Where to Stay in Shimla
Shimla has an extraordinary concentration of heritage properties — colonial-era buildings that have operated continuously as hotels for over a century. These are genuine historic structures: thick stone walls, wood-panelled interiors, fireplaces that burn through the night, and mountain views that have barely changed since the Raj era.
For luxury: the ridge below the Viceregal Lodge (now Rashtrapati Niwas) has several well-maintained heritage hotels with unobstructed views of the Himalayan ranges. These are the finest rooms in the city and book up quickly for December–February weekends.
For mid-range: the lanes below the Mall Road have numerous family-run guesthouses in old colonial buildings. Many are excellent value and offer a more personal experience than the larger properties. Ask specifically for rooms with mountain views — the price differential for a north-facing room is often minimal.
For quiet: Mashobra (13 km from the centre) and Chharabra have boutique properties set in pine forests close enough for day trips to Shimla but far enough to escape the town's energy entirely. The air is noticeably cleaner and darker at night.
Activities in Winter Shimla
The Mall Road is best experienced in early morning before the shops open — the light on the Himalayan ranges, the silence, and the scent of woodsmoke from the surrounding houses are extraordinary. This is the Shimla that the colonial accounts describe.
Kufri (15 km by road, ₹500–800 by shared cab from the Victory Tunnel) is the primary destination for snow activities: sledging, yak rides, and horse riding through the snow. The viewpoint at the top offers panoramic Himalayan views on clear days, including distant views of the Kinnaur Kailash range.
Narkanda (65 km, 2 hours by road) has India's oldest ski area — basic but genuine, with a chairlift and instructors available. It operates January–early March when snow conditions allow. Several heritage apple orchards in Narkanda operate as home-stays during winter at very reasonable rates.
The Shimla Ice Skating Rink — one of Asia's oldest natural ice rinks, open January–February when temperatures consistently drop below freezing — is a genuinely extraordinary experience. Evening sessions under lights, with the colonial buildings of the Ridge visible above, are one of the most atmospheric things you can do anywhere in the Himalayas.
Jakhu Temple: the 8,000-year-old Hanuman temple at Jakhu Hill (2,455m) is a 45-minute hike from the Ridge or a short ropeway ride. In snow, the trail through the deodar forest is beautiful. The resident rhesus monkeys are brazen year-round — keep your food secured.
Getting to Shimla
By road: 365 km from Delhi via NH-44 to Chandigarh then NH-5 to Shimla — 8–10 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. December–February can add 1–2 hours in poor weather.
By train: the Kalka–Shimla Railway (UNESCO World Heritage Site) runs from Kalka (near Chandigarh, reachable by Shatabdi Express from Delhi in 3.5 hours) to Shimla in approximately 5.5 hours. The narrow-gauge mountain section passes through 102 tunnels and 864 bridges across 96 km of spectacular mountain terrain. The morning departure is the most scenic.
Book with UNO Hotels & Resorts
UNO Hotels & Resorts lists verified properties across Shimla, Kufri, Mashobra, Narkanda, and Chail. Our head office is in Shimla — we know the market better than any team working remotely. Call us at +91 9805096956 (24/7) or email info@unohotelsandresorts.com for personalised recommendations based on your dates and group. Operated by PTW Holidays Private Limited, 3rd Floor, Chauhan Building, NH-22 Bhattakufar, Kamla Nagar, Shimla — 171006.
