Himachal Weather : Fresh snowfall revives tourist buzz at Rohtang, Shinkula ahead of New Year

Fresh snowfall in the high-altitude regions has turned Rohtang Pass in Kullu district and Shinkula Pass in Lahaul and Spiti into major tourist hotspots, injecting fresh enthusiasm among visitors and tourism stakeholders ahead of the New Year.

These iconic mountain passes, which are usually inaccessible during winter due to heavy snowfall and road closures, are witnessing an unusual surge in tourist activity this season. A prolonged dry spell has helped maintain road connectivity, allowing tourists to reach these scenic destinations even in peak winter.

Mild snowfall recorded at both passes two days ago transformed the landscape into a winter wonderland, delighting tourists and bringing much-needed relief to local tourism operators, hoteliers, taxi unions and adventure sports providers. Visitors are thronging the region to enjoy snow play, photography and sightseeing.

Tourism stakeholders say the tourist inflow has increased significantly since the snowfall. While Manali continues to attract large numbers of winter tourists, Lahaul and Spiti are also emerging as preferred destinations for adventure seekers and nature lovers looking for relatively less-crowded snow experiences.

With New Year celebrations approaching, tourism players in Kullu-Manali and Lahaul-Spiti are optimistic. Many hotels, homestays and travel operators have reported advance bookings, hoping favourable weather conditions will allow tourists to enjoy snowfall during the festive period.

Former president of the Hoteliers Association Manali, Gajender Thakur, said, “Tourist influx is increasing considerably in Kullu-Manali after Christmas, and we are hopeful that hotel occupancy in Manali will remain 100 per cent on New Year’s Eve.”

Meanwhile, local authorities have advised tourists to strictly follow safety guidelines while travelling to high-altitude areas and to keep track of weather and road updates, cautioning that sudden weather changes remain a possibility in the mountains.

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