12 Travel essentials for a Winter Trip to Snowy Mountains in India : Life savers!

As a little girl, I always dreamt of witnessing a white Christmas firsthand, coming from Bangalore, that was a distant dream until I made it happen in 2019 in Cappadocia and got Hooked! I experienced my first white Christmas in India in the Himalayan town of Lahaul last December, a district which until 2020 was not accessible during winters due to extreme & unpredictable weather, landslides, and heavy snowfall. Thanks to the newly opened Atal tunnel, Lahaul now has all-weather accessibility with the nearest town of Manali. With a length of 9.02 km, it is the longest tunnel above 10,000 feet in the world and reduces the travel time from Manali to Leh by 46 km (4-5 hours).

Sitting at the height of 14931ft above sea level, Lahaul is a treasure tucked away in the Himalayan ranges. The Lahaul-Spiti district, known as the cold deserts of Himachal, gets very heavy snowfall from November to March (-2 to -40). I got to explore Lahaul, visiting Sissu, Keylong, Jispa, and Darcha over a week on this four girls - epic road trip.

Winter Travel to extreme weather is always fun but needs additional attention to packing. I am sharing the top 12 Travel essentials to survive a winter trip to snowy regions. To ensure you are all set to brave the cold and enjoy your getaway!

Thermals:

The 1st basic need would be Thermals. They are your best friends on any winter trip. All your other layers go on top of these. Thermals trap and use your body heat as insulation against the winter cold. Uniqlo's HEATTECH clothes are the best way to stay warm without the bulk. HEATTECH is made of a unique blend of materials that wick moisture from your body and turn its kinetic energy into heat. I picked up an entire range during my Japan Travel, but it is easily available online.

Fleece Lined Puffer Jacket:

My savior on this trip. I could not have managed the hikes in -15°C in Keylong if not for this jacket from Kosha.

Suitable for 10°C to 5°C* when worn as is, without layers. Ideal from 5°C to -20°C* when worn with layers, like thermals/sweaters/hoodies. I enjoyed my snow fights in these, and the many pockets with zipper closures ensured my things remained safe and dry. Invest in this jacket. It's such a Keeper!

Pullover:

Layers are essential, and the top layer under your jacket is the most important as they are your top layers indoors. They need to be comfortable yet stylish, warm, and bright enough for all your captures. Supima Cotton Pullovers from Kosha is the perfect choice for the eco-conscious explorer. With layers, I wore them in temperatures from 0°C to -20°C. I just had to match them up with pastel/subtle color gloves to look effortlessly stylish with these versatile designs.

Snow boots/shoes:

Understand the difference between snow boots and winter boots. Snow boots are waterproof or water-resistant, but winter boots are not. The snow boot is used in very wet or snowy conditions, while winter boots are better used on well-maintained roads or paths or even while shopping. I carried two kinds on this trip - Mid-ankle snow boots from Decathlon with grips to use on hikes and High ankle Snow boots from Columbia with insulation, Omni Grip, and ultralight for walking in snow trails. Both served their purpose well.

Hot Water Bag:

The key to sleeping well on cold winter nights is to keep your feet warm. The homestays in Lahaul do not have heaters in rooms. They offer a Hot water bag to keep warm during the freezing night. Thankfully I learned this trick the hard way a decade ago while camping in Sarchu with bone-chilling cold winds. Since then, I have carried my Hot water bags on every winter trip.

Touch Enabled gloves:

Merino Wool Touch Enabled Gloves from Kosha are the best I have used. The index finger & thumb tips are touch screen friendly, allowing you to use your smartphones/camera/laptops with ease without removing your gloves & exposing your fingers to the cold. Trust me; I had a very tough time in Cappadocia during Christmas operating my phone and camera gear without these gloves; my fingers turned blue in -20 with all the circus in bare hands. I also carried a Waterproof Guide Finger Mittens from BlueBolt, available to shop at Kosha. It proved very useful during all the snow fights and digging for clearing snow.

Medicine:

Carry all basic medicines you may need for the common cold, flu or fever, nasal decongestants, and throat lozenges, as you may easily catch a cold in winter. Ensure you include Antiseptics and Antibiotics as well, along with motion sickness tablets. If you're doing multiple hikes, you may be prone to body aches; it'll be good to keep some pain relief medication. A mini medical kit basically as you may not have medical help available immediately in secluded places and may have to rely on the items in your travel medical kit to handle minor illness and injuries.

Water Proof or Water Resistant Backpack:

Friends jokingly call it a Survivors bag, basically because I have pretty much everything I may need in my Backpack to survive for a couple of days.

Your Backpack is like a treasure chest. It holds all your precious gear and valuables that go along with you on this trip. Meaning your Backpack should be firm, waterproof, lightweight, and yet look trendy. My Explorer backpack from Bombay Trooper is all this and more. With expandable Storage Upto 30 litres, Water Resistant, Laptop Compartment, Organized Pockets, Two-way Bottle Holders, Secret Pocket, Hooks & Mounts for Carabiners, Tough & Long Lasting Cotton Canvas With Brass Plated Fittings. It was perfect for this trip.

Down Jacket:

Down Jackets are lightweight and travel-friendly packable. It's perfect for those days when you want the freedom of not wearing an oversized coat but need a fantastic added layer. Suitable for 0°C to 5°C* when worn as is, without layers. Ideal from 5°C to -10°C* when worn with layers. Pick a lovely pastel shade. They come in 100's of colors. For this trip I carried a Padded jacket from Decathlon. If you are looking for alternatives to down and fur winter jackets that are equally warm, you can shop from Kosha. They have jackets for kids and adults. Including plus sizes for adults.

Sunscreen & Vaseline:

Applying sunscreen during winter is essential! UV radiation is stronger during the winter months and is more penetrative than summer. You are prone to sunburn very quickly, leaving your skin parched and dry. Applying Vaseline overnight helps in healing. Do not step out without applying sunscreen. SPF 30+ should do the trick.

Thermos flask:

Filter water bottles are the best, but in winters and snow conditions, a thermos flask works better.

Find one that fits in your bag. They are easy to carry and have a vacuum insulated construction to keep beverage piping hot for a long duration. The stainless steel body is sturdy and safe for holding your drinks during travel and commute. Use it to store hot beverages or water to keep yourself well-hydrated during your journey. They come in handy to keeping warm during emergencies.

Accessories-Beanie/Head Band/Scarfs:

Keeping your head, feet, and hands warm is vital in ensuring that other body parts remain warm. Therefore, you need a good heat-retaining beanie made of wool or fleece that fits snugly to insulate heat. Beanies/Scarfs play a significant role in winter accessories by adding that much-needed color pop or toning the color to merge with the background shades. I carried multiple Beanies on this trip from Decathlon, Kosha, and the headband you see in the picture below is from the local Market in Old Manali. It proved extremely useful!

Adventures are fun, but safety comes first. In extreme weather conditions, the views are exotic, but the danger is not too far behind. So be prepared and well equipped to enjoy your adventures to the fullest. Winter is Here!