A snow lover’s guide to Manali snowfall for the first timers

a girl posing for camera in the Manali snowfall

Want to enjoy the snowfall this winter in Manali? Read our comprehensive Manali snowfall guide before you go.

Now, who doesn’t love to walk on a snowy white carpet with hands stretched out, face turned towards the sky and then feel and taste those tiny snowflakes falling from above? The ice crystals that melt in your mouth as soon as you catch them. The very thought makes me smile.

And what better place to enjoy a snowfall than in the heavenly Manali, no? Especially, if you are planning to witness and enjoy your very first snowfall.

But you need to know a few things before you pack your bags and head straight for Manali in winters. In this detailed Manali snowfall travel guide, we have put in everything you need to know about experiencing the snowfall in Manali. Read it before you go.

Wish you an amazing snowfall experience in Manali!

What is the best time to visit Manali for experiencing snowfall?

Given our snowfall experience in Himachal Pradesh, if I have to really shorten the best time period when the probability of snowfall is highest in Manali and surrounding areas then it would be between December 15 and February 15.

Around a decade back, the best months for snowfall in Manali used to be November, December and January. Even in October, Manali used to receive light snowfall. But over the years, the snowfall season seems to have shifted a bit. In 2023, Himachal in general and Manali in particular witnessed sunny days throughout December and even almost the entire January. The first snowfall of the season that Manali received in 2023 was on January 31 and in the first week of February!

You should keep a good eye on the long-range weather forecast for Manali and plan your visit accordingly. If you are lucky and the weather gods in a good mood, you will definitely experience the snowfall during your visit.

Which are the best places to visit in and around Manali for enjoying snowfall?

The best place to actually enjoy the snowfall is in Manali. Manali looks amazing in snow and is at the peak of its beauty during and after snowfall. You can either stay in Manali town itself or in the nearby Old Manali and Vashisht villages to enjoy the snowfall. Don’t forget to visit the Hadimba temple in Manali in snow. The temple, located in a Deodar forest, looks awesome in snow.

You can also visit the nearby Palchan, Gulaba villages and the Solang valley, which receive higher snowfall compared to Manali owing to their higher altitude. You can also visit Sethan village, which is situated above Prini village near Manali, for a unique snowfall experience and stay there in the igloos.

One other good spot to visit for enjoying snowfall near Manali is the Atal Tunnel. But you should not visit Atal Tunnel if it’s already snowing in and around Manali as the Atal Tunnel receives heavy snowfall and you get stuck. Moreover, driving during heavy snowfall is highly risky.

What if it doesn’t snow in Manali?

A view of Sissu waterfall and lake in winters. — A view of Sissu waterfall and the lake in winters.

What if all the weather predictions flop and it doesn’t snow when you are in Manali? Well, you don’t need to lose heart. You can always travel up to the close by Sissu in Lahaul Spiti district where the probability of snowfall is 100 times higher than Manali on any given day in winters. Actually, many visitors move to Sissu when it doesn’t snow in Manali. But you should not stay in Sissu for long if it’s snowing heavily as you may get stuck here due to roadblocks.

Is Manali crowded in winters?

Manali gets really crowded in December-end. Holidayers start to throng Manali around Christmas and Manali remains crowded till the New Year’s Eve. The tourist rush is so huge that there are frequent traffic jams in and around Manali and even the Atal tunnel gets choked with vehicles.

In 2023, a record-breaking 28,000 vehicles crossed the Atal Tunnel in just 24 hours during Xmas. After this crazy festive time, Manali returns to normalcy.

Will I get stuck in Manali if it snows?

A view of the entry point to Manali with snow everywhere.

Only if it snows heavily (three to four feet) and even then not for more than a day. The highway remains mostly open almost up to Manali even during snowfall and gets rarely shut for more than a day. Moreover, the local administration also ensures that the highway till Manali remains open in all weather conditions. You can get stuck in places like Solang valley in the event of heavy snowfall but again for not more than two days.

Is it okay to drive on snow in Manali?

driving in Manali on roads covered with snow. — A view of the entry point to Manali with snow everywhere.

You can drive on a road in Manali if there is a light snowfall. But it’s not advisable to drive when snow settles down on the road and an icy layer is formed. In such a condition, the road becomes slippery and driving highly dangerous especially if you are driving on snow for the first time. You must avoid driving on such a road and wait for the local administration and other vehicles to first clear the road.

What should I wear in winters in Manali?

Children playing in snow in Manali. — What fun and joy snow can bring to us!

Even if the days seem a little warm, the minimum temperature hovers around 0 degrees Celsius in and around Manali during extreme winters. You should bring along your best warm clothes to Manali during winters.

You should also bring along a pair of snow boots or buy in Manali. And if you want to make snowmen or throw snowballs at friends in Manali then a pair of gloves can come in handy.

Where should I stay in Manali?

A view of Beas river in winters in Manali.

There are some very good options for staying in and around Manali. Check the best places to stay in Manali, in Old Manali, in Vashisht and Naggar. If you are visiting around Xmas and New Year, then don’t forget to book your hotel room in advance because if you don’t then you may find it difficult to get the room of your choice due to heavy rush at that time.

Which are the other places to enjoy snowfall in Kullu-Manali?

Along with Manali, you can enjoy snowfall in the Parvati and Banjar valleys of Kullu district. In the Parvati valley, you can visit Kasol or its famous villages like Tosh, Kalga, Pulga and Grahan. In the Banjar valley, you can visit Tirthan, Shoja etc.

Is Sissu a better option than Manali for experiencing snowfall?

Sissu is fast emerging as the new snow destination primarily because of a drop in the amount of snow Manali receives annually. Check our snow travel guide to Sissu to know more about this emerging tourist hotspot in the neighbouring Lahaul Spiti district.