Where to encounter snow in Asia?

[JohnK]

I will possibly be in Thailand in April, June and September and was wondering where one could go in Asia to see snow.

I know of the obvious places to go but I was sort of hoping something closer to Thailand if possible. The trip will be for 2 people and cost will be a very important factor. I don't have a figure in mind but I will be looking for very cheap flights and accommodation. Ideally I would like to keep cost down to <$1,000 for 2 people but I understand this may not be possible.

Any recommendations?

 

[moa999]

Hint - Generally no snow near the equator.

North of Japan or North of China pretty much only options,
but at that time of year not great for Northern Hemisphere.

Probably best flying to NZ

 

[Austman]

Singapore?

Snow City

 

[NM]

My Geography lessons tell me Asia is generally in the Northern hemisphere, and April to September is generally Summer in the Northern hemisphere.

Plenty of snow in China, Korea, Japan etc in their Winter months, but not much in the months you mention.

 

[Simo]

I am with Austman,

Snowcity would be the go.

 

[munitalP]

In a bar at Holiday Inn in Harbin, northern China, barstaff agree snow first happens here mid December. This place is ~2K km from Arctic circle. Singapore or Dubai is best option.


Sent using a fire, green leaves and blanket creating smoke signals.

 

[Hvr]

There is the Ice Bar at Si Lom if you really don't want to travel far.:mrgreen:

It is less than 60 seconds from the local Holiday Inn which I can vouch for.

 

[markis10]

Prior to the GFC I understand snow was easily found in Asia, hang on, we are talking the H2O stuff, disregard my post .

 

[JohnK]

OK. So no one is taking my thread seriously.

I guess Himalayas would be the only option but it may be expensive to get there from Thailand.

And yes I will tell her she may have to wait until she has to opportunity to see snow in Australia.

 

[tuapekastar]

OK. So no one is taking my thread seriously.

I guess Himalayas would be the only option but it may be expensive to get there from Thailand.

And yes I will tell her she may have to wait until she has to opportunity to see snow in Australia.

Himalayas was what came to mind when I read the post, but discounted replying as I suspect it would be over budget. But worth checking, you never know.

 

[JohnK]

Himalayas was what came to mind when I read the post, but discounted replying as I suspect it would be over budget. But worth checking, you never know.

I can probably get to the Himalayas as a destination on one of my award tickets with a stopover in Bangkok. Perhaps she will not mind travelling economy while I am in business class. In fact I know she will not mind that sort of sacrifice for a couple of hours if it means an opportunity to keep the costs down and see snow for the first time.

I think most people on AFF know I do not mind the budget hotels (not hostels) and can keep the costs down that way as well.

I was not sure if there were other alternatives that may have been closer.

 

[Vinny]

Saw snow at the funeral of Kim Jong (very) Il and there was snow. Currently investigating things and hope to go to North Korea later in the year.

It's probably not a ski destination though.

 

[docjames]

You could have a three day weekend in DXB and go to the mall with the ski slope. It's pretty cool.... and would achieve the desired aim without the hassles of getting to/from ski fields and is available all year round.

Japan (? do 3K fly there - prob via SIN) but it'd be out of season so would take some looking for somewhere that always has snow (? Mt Fuji??)

Wait for a sale on JQi SIN-AKL and then fly down to Queenstown or drive down to the North Island Ski Fields (mountain name escapes me at the minute). Snow would be great in September.

Korea? Not sure at that time of year as with Japan.

I cant imagine getting to the Himalayas would be particuarly cheap, nor readily accessible.

How about a circle pacific fare and you can go to Aspen etc but agian worng time of year eg. SYD-BKK-LAX-SYD? Or buy a cheap fare TPE-LAX-TPE with side fare to BKK (or similar).


Or for something a little different: Gulmarg.org - Skiing, Adventure, Fun, in Gulmarg, Kashmir

 

[munitalP]

In a bar at Holiday Inn in Harbin, northern China, barstaff agree snow first happens here mid December. This place is ~2K km from Arctic circle. Singapore or Dubai is best option.


Sent using a fire, green leaves and blanket creating smoke signals.

OK. So no one is taking my thread seriously.

I guess Himalayas would be the only option but it may be expensive to get there from Thailand.

And yes I will tell her she may have to wait until she has to opportunity to see snow in Australia.

I actually thought my answer was more than serious! I done some serious* research for you John to ensure you didn't head to northern China in search of snow too early in the year...








*asked the barman

 

[SeatBackForward]

Hint - Generally no snow near the equator.

North of Japan or North of China pretty much only options,
but at that time of year not great for Northern Hemisphere.

Probably best flying to NZ

I would generally agree that the tropics isn't the best place to look for snow, however....

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (only for another ten years they reckon)
Mauna Kea, Hawaii
Papua New Guinea

But yes, otherwise the "fake" snow slopes in Singapore and Dubai are probably the way to go.

 

[munitalP]

...
Papua New Guinea

....

If you google map Freeport Mine you can see the remains of the glaciers above the site. I have not been on the glaciers but work colleagues have and say it is awe inspiring. The Glaciers are retreating at a great rate of knots, so its down to now or never to see them. There are a few internet pages showing what they looked like when first discovered in the 1900's - amazing to think that global warming has destroyed this wonder.

As for snow being there - it does not snow at the mine / glacier as far as I am aware, but also remember the mine / glaciers are much higher than the highest point in Australia, so anything is possible

I would give you the map link, but the great firewall of China makes google maps all but impossible!

 

[JohnK]

You could have a three day weekend in DXB and go to the mall with the ski slope. It's pretty cool.... and would achieve the desired aim without the hassles of getting to/from ski fields and is available all year round.

I do not want to be anywhere near a ski field. Have no interest what so ever in skiing of any kind and that includes snow, grass, water and anything else you can think of.

I was born in the snow. I lived and played in the snow until I was 8 years old. Now in my old age I really do not like the cold at all.

Seeing snow is on the wish list for someone I know who was born in Thailand and has never been outside of Thailand. I don't mind helping them fullfil that wish as long as it is not too expensive.