I f you have been hibernating through most of your winters with cups of hot chocolate, it’s time you packed up your bags with some heavy woollens and headed out on a holiday. Are you shivering at the thought? You may be in for a surprise. Hill stations such as Dharamshala, Shimla, Gangtok, Manali and Binsar offer tons of fun things to do during the winter season.

Dharamshala

Apart from the stupendous scenic beauty and the Dalai Lama connection, the winter in Dharamshala will never cease to disappoint you. While a visit to the Church of St. John and McLeodganj are likely to be on your list anyway, a trip to the Norbulinka Institute is a must. Known for showcasing Tibetan arts, Norbulinka’s Losel Dolls Museum is something you don’t want to miss out on. Go a little ahead of Dharamshala, and land up in scenic Bir, which is popular among paragliders. Another 14km ahead lies Billing, a superb backdrop for cross country flying and one of the best aero-sport sites in the world. For enthusiasts, skiing in the unexplored areas of Laka and Triund above Dharamshala can be a serene experience. Apart from winter clothes, make sure you take waterproof ski jackets with taped seams in case you decide to don your skis in the snowcovered mountains.

Resort watch: Kangra Valley Resort

Shimla

The capital of Himachal is a paradise for those visiting it during the winter. Come December, Shimla experiences an array of winter festivals and activities. Right from white-water rafting in the rapids of River Sutlej to playing golf at Naldehra, one of the oldest golf courses in India, Shimla is not your usual lazy hill station. While Tatapani’s sulphur springs are not to be missed, Kurfi is the hub of all winter sports in Shimla. Though Kurfi’s Mahasu Ridge is famous for its skiing slopes, the lesser crowded Narkanda ski resort is a must-visit for hardcore skiers. The Shimla Ice Skating Rink is also quite popular and you may consider wearing your skating boots for the annual ice skating carnival that is held every January.

Resort watch: Whispering Pines, Gables Mashobra

Make your way to Terra The five-acre Panchgani campsite, with 10 tents, is situated just 20km from Blue Country, a Club Mahindra managed resort. For bookings, call toll-free number 1800 425 2737 from 9 am to 6.30 pm, Monday to Fridays, and 9.30 am to 5.30 pm on Saturdays. Alternately, email us at reservations@terracamps.com or log on to reservations@terracamps.com To get to the Panchgani site, you have to take a detour from Panchgani – Mahabaleshwar road, approximately five kilometres from Panchgani. Volvo services are available to and from Mumbai and Thane, and State Transport (ST) bus services are available to and from Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Satara, Kolhapur and Mahad. For those travelling by train, Satara is the closest station, 55km away. Lohegaon airport, Pune is the closest airport.