First Snowfall at Rohtang and Kunzum Pass Marks Onset of Winter; Hoteliers Cheer Revival of Tourism

High-altitude areas of Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts received the season’s first snowfall on Sunday, while lower regions, including parts of Mandi district, witnessed light rain.

Winter officially arrived in the state as Rohtang Pass on the Manali-Leh Highway and Kunzum Pass on the Sumdo–Kaza–Gramphu route were blanketed in fresh snow, disrupting vehicular movement on both routes.

According to Lahaul-Spiti Police, traffic across Rohtang Pass has been suspended due to the snowfall. However, vehicles are still plying through the Atal Tunnel on the Manali–Leh Highway, offering some relief to travelers. Similarly, the Kunzum Pass has also been closed to traffic after fresh snow accumulation.

Despite the disruptions, the snowfall has sparked optimism among tourism stakeholders. Hoteliers and travel operators in Kullu-Manali and Lahaul-Spiti have welcomed the development, expressing hope that the early snow will kick-start the winter tourism season and attract visitors in the coming weeks.

“This snowfall is a blessing for tourism,” said a hotel owner in Manali. “After a long and damaging monsoon season, we hope this will bring tourists back to the valley.”

The tourism industry in these regions had suffered heavily from continuous rains, landslides, and severe road damage between July and September. Many highways and rural roads remained closed for weeks, causing a sharp drop in visitor numbers during what is usually the peak season. With the arrival of early snow, locals are now hopeful of a revival in tourism — a key source of livelihood for thousands in these high-altitude districts.

Authorities have advised travelers to check weather and road conditions before planning trips to snow-covered areas.