Manali Tourism Boom: Weekend Snowfall Sparks Surge in Bookings and Lahaul Valley Travel

Published on February 28, 2026

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For the past few weeks, the winding roads of Kullu and Manali had grown uncharacteristically quiet. The “slow spell,” as local hoteliers called it, seemed to linger longer than usual. But as the final weekend of February 2026 arrived, the silence was shattered by the hum of thousands of engines and the joyful shouts of travelers catching their first glimpse of fresh snowflakes.

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Manali is officially back in business, witnessing a massive weekend tourist boom that has seen vehicle numbers quintuple and hotel occupancy rates climb to their highest levels since the New Year.

From 500 to 2,500: The Numbers Behind the Rush

The scale of the influx is best understood through the lens of the Atal Tunnel and Solang Valley—the two primary gateways to the high-altitude wonders of the region. Just a week ago, these points were seeing a modest daily average of 500 to 600 vehicles. By Friday, that number had exploded to over 2,500 tourist vehicles in a single day.

Incoming traffic from neighboring states has nearly touched 1,000 vehicles per day, leading to vibrant, crowded scenes at the Mall Road and historical sites like the Hadimba Devi Temple and Vashisht Temple. While the economic boost is welcomed by locals, the sheer volume of visitors has led to significant traffic congestion, with some tourists reporting being stranded in jams for hours as they tried to reach the snow-laden slopes of Gulaba and Hamta.

The Lahaul Valley Magnet: Reopening for March

A significant factor driving this sudden interest is the shifting focus toward the Lahaul Valley. As snow begins to melt in lower regions like Solang and Fataru, tourists are pushing deeper into the mountains.

Destinations such as Sissu and Darcha have become the new “it” spots for adventure seekers. Perhaps most exciting for the local economy is the official announcement that key Lahaul destinations, including Koksar and Sissu, will fully reopen for tourism activities starting March 1. This reopening is expected to unlock a new wave of travel, providing access to untouched winter landscapes that were previously inaccessible during the peak of the season.

Nature’s Perfect Timing: Fresh Snowfall

While the morning sun on Saturday offered bright, picturesque views, nature had a surprise in store. Around 3:00 PM, the higher reaches of the Rohtang Pass, Shinku La, and Baralacha Pass began receiving fresh snowfall.

With over three inches of new snow reported in a matter of hours, the atmosphere in Manali transformed instantly. Tourists who had spent the morning trekking to Anjani Mahadev or exploring the local markets were treated to a “white-out” experience that many had traveled hundreds of miles to see. This fresh layer of “white gold” has not only delighted current visitors but has also acted as a powerful marketing tool, triggering a flood of inquiries for the weeks ahead.

The March Outlook: Honeymoons and High Hopes

According to Gajendra Thakur, President of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of Himachal Pradesh, the industry is finally returning to a state of normalcy. “We are seeing encouraging signs,” Thakur noted, revealing that hotel occupancy touched nearly 60% over the weekend.

The real story, however, is the March surge. Advance bookings for the coming month are already pouring in, with a notable increase in reservations from honeymoon couples and families. Budhi Prakash Thakur, Chairman of the Travel Agents Association of Himachal Pradesh, confirmed that the combination of improving weather, the reopening of the Atal Tunnel routes, and the “lingering winter charm” makes March a premium month for the Kullu-Manali circuit.

The Human Experience: Beyond the Statistics

For the travelers on the ground, the “boom” is about more than just numbers. It’s about the family from Delhi seeing snow for the first time at the South Portal of the Atal Tunnel. It’s about the adventure enthusiasts finally getting to paraglide over the Beas River after weeks of weather delays.

Local vendors, from the shawl sellers on the Mall Road to the tea-stall owners in Sissu, are feeling the pulse of the crowd. “When the tunnel is open and the snow is fresh, the energy of the town changes,” says one local shopkeeper. “People are happy, and the mountains look their best. It feels like the season has started all over again.”

As Manali prepares for the official start of the March tourism season, the message to travelers is clear: Book early. With the Lahaul Valley reopening its doors and the peaks freshly dusted with snow, the “lingering winter charm” of Himachal Pradesh is proving to be an irresistible draw.

Original article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/