Snow Activities in Manali 2026–27
Snow activities in Manali run from December to early March. They are centred on Solang Valley, Gulaba, Sethan village and the Atal Tunnel side at Sissu. The main options are skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, snow scooter rides, snowshoeing, snow treks and igloo stays. Rohtang Pass is closed to tourists from mid-November to late May, so plan your winter trip around these snow points instead.
This guide covers every snow activity in Manali worth your time. It explains what each one costs and where the snow actually is in each month. It also helps you choose between a quick one-hour ride at Solang and a proper guided day in the mountains.
Key takeaways
- Season: December to early March. January is the most reliable month for snow, and February has deeper snow and clearer skies.
- Main hub: Solang Valley, about 13–14 km from Manali, has the slopes, instructors and gear hire.
- Deeper, quieter snow: Gulaba, Kothi, Sethan and Sissu beyond the Atal Tunnel, when the road is open.
- Rohtang Pass: closed to tourists in winter, so don’t build your trip around it.
- Budget: short activities at Solang cost roughly ₹300–₹2,000 each. Guided treks, ski courses and igloo nights cost more but include instruction and gear.
What are the best snow activities in Manali?
The best snow activities in Manali are skiing and snowboarding for learners, snow tubing and snow scooter rides for families, snowshoeing and snow treks for walkers, and an igloo night at Sethan for something different. Most short activities are at Solang Valley. The quieter, guided experiences happen in the forests and valleys around it.
| Activity | Where | Approx. price per person* | Time needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skiing (lesson + gear) | Solang Valley, Sethan | ₹500–₹1,500 per hour | 1 hour, or a multi-day course | First-timers to intermediates |
| Snowboarding | Solang Valley, Sethan | ₹1,000–₹2,000 per hour | 1–2 hours | Confident beginners |
| Snow tubing | Solang Valley | ₹300–₹500 per ride | 15 minutes | Families, children |
| Snow scooter | Solang Valley | ₹400–₹600 per short ride | 5–10 minutes | Non-skiers |
| ATV ride on snow | Solang Valley | ₹900–₹2,500 | 30–45 minutes | Groups, friends |
| Solang ropeway | Solang Valley | Per-ride ticket at base station | About 30 minutes | All ages, older travellers |
| Snowshoeing | Forest trails around Solang, Sethan, Hampta | Guided trip | Half or full day | Walkers, couples, photographers |
| Snow trekking | Patalsu Peak, Solang and Hampta side | Guided trip | Full day or longer | Fit beginners and trekkers |
| Igloo stay | Sethan village (Hampta valley) | ₹4,500–₹7,500 per night incl. meals | 1 night | Couples, groups |
| Sledging and snow play | Solang, Gulaba, Kothi | Free or small hire charge | As long as you like | Children |
*Counter rates change with snow cover, weekends and holiday demand. Always confirm the price and what is included before you pay.
Where can you find snow near Manali in winter?
The reliable snow points near Manali are Solang Valley, Gulaba and Kothi on the old Rohtang road, Sethan village above Prini, and Sissu on the far side of the Atal Tunnel. Snow in Manali town itself comes and goes with each storm. Police open and close these points daily, so check which snow point is approved each morning.
| Snow point | Distance from Manali | Snow reliability | Crowds | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solang Valley | 13–14 km | High, December–February | Heavy, especially weekends | Skiing, tubing, scooters, families |
| Gulaba and Kothi | 20–22 km | High after fresh snowfall | Moderate | Snow play, photography |
| Sethan village | 12–15 km via Prini | High, January–early March | Low | Igloos, skiing, snowshoeing |
| Atal Tunnel and Sissu | 38–40 km | Very high | Low to moderate | Scenery, frozen waterfalls |
Solang Valley
Solang Valley sits at roughly 2,500 m, and most snow activities are sold from counters at its base. It is the easiest snow to reach and the busiest.
Gulaba and Kothi
Gulaba and Kothi hold snow longer than Solang because they are higher. Access depends on where the police barrier is that day.
Sethan village
Sethan is a small village in the Hampta valley. It stays quiet, gets heavy snow and hosts the igloo camps from January.
Atal Tunnel and Sissu
The 9.02 km Atal Tunnel sits at about 3,000 m and links Manali to the Lahaul valley. Sissu, just beyond it, often has deep snow and frozen waterfalls. The road closes to tourists during and after heavy snowfall, so treat it as a bonus rather than the plan.
Is Rohtang Pass open for snow activities in winter?
No. Rohtang Pass sits at about 3,978 m and usually closes to tourist traffic by mid-November. It reopens in late May or June, once the Border Roads Organisation clears the road. Permits are not issued in winter. The Atal Tunnel bypasses the pass completely and does not take you to the Rohtang summit.
When is the best time for snow activities in Manali?
The best time for snow activities in Manali is January and February. Snow cover at Solang and Sethan is deepest then, and skiing conditions are most consistent. December brings the first proper snow and the biggest holiday crowds. Early March still works at higher points, but by late March the lower slopes are usually melting.
| Month | Snow conditions | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| November | Early snow on higher points only | Solang usually bare; Gulaba and the Atal Tunnel area may have snow |
| December | Snow cover builds through the month | Christmas–New Year crowds; skiing starts once the base is deep enough |
| January | Most reliable, coldest month | Best skiing; igloo camps open; roads close more often after storms |
| February | Deep snow, clearer skies | Fewer crowds than December; good for ski courses and snowshoeing |
| March | Good in the first half, melting after | Igloos close by mid-March; Sethan and Gulaba hold snow longest |
Which snow activities in Manali suit first-timers and families?
The easiest snow activities for first-timers and families are snow tubing, a snow scooter ride, sledging, the Solang ropeway and a one-hour skiing lesson with an instructor. None of them needs fitness or experience. Children enjoy tubing and snow play most. Older travellers usually prefer the ropeway and a short snow walk.
If you have more than a day, add a gentle guided snowshoe walk. It takes you away from the crowds at the base and into snow-covered forest, with almost nothing to learn first.
How long does it take to learn skiing in Manali?
A one-hour lesson at Solang teaches you to stand, slide and stop in a snowplough position. Linking turns on your own normally takes a course of three to seven days with a certified instructor. Beginners should book a course with daily lessons rather than several short rides from different counters.
Skiing in Manali suits new skiers because Solang has gentle open slopes and a beginner lift at the base. Into Wild Himalaya runs guided skiing in Manali for beginners and experienced skiers, plus ski trips in Lahaul and Gulmarg. Instructors and equipment are included. If you already ski, try a full day of snowboarding in Solang Valley.
If you want snow walking and skiing in one trip, our Winter Trek and Skiing in Manali combines basic ski lessons with guided snow walks in the Solang area.
What is snowshoeing, and where can you do it near Manali?
Snowshoeing means walking on deep snow with wide frames strapped to your boots. The frames spread your weight so you don’t sink. It needs no training and suits beginners, families and photographers. Near Manali, the best snowshoe routes run through the cedar forests and meadows around Solang Valley, Sethan and the lower Hampta valley.
It is the quietest of all the snow activities in Manali: no engines and no queues, just forest and mountain views. Our guided snowshoeing day hike at Sethan is the easiest way to try it, with snowshoes and a local guide included.
Can you go snow trekking in Manali in winter?
Yes. Winter treks near Manali run through snow-covered forest and open slopes above Solang Valley and on the Hampta side. The most popular winter day hike is Patalsu Peak, a round trip of about 12 km that climbs to 4,200 m. Summit temperatures can fall to –8°C, so these trips run with trained guides and winter gear.
The Patalsu Peak Day Hike starts early from Manali, climbs through snowy meadows above Solang and returns the same evening. Our guides are trained first-aid responders, and every finisher receives an IWH summit certificate.
For longer routes and difficulty levels, read our guide to the best winter treks in Manali for 2026–27.
Is an igloo stay in Manali worth it?
An igloo stay in Manali is worth it as one night combined with other snow activities, not as a stay on its own. The igloos at Sethan run from January to mid-March and cost roughly ₹4,500–₹7,500 per person per night with meals. They are basic: you sleep in sleeping bags inside, and washrooms are shared and outside.
The best way to do it is one night at Sethan, then a guided ski or snowshoe session the next morning, when the slopes around the camp are empty.
What should you wear for snow activities in Manali?
Wear layers you can remove, not one heavy coat. Rental gear at Solang covers skis, boards and snow boots, but not full winter clothing, so bring your own base layers. Wet cotton is the most common reason people feel cold and cut a snow day short.
- Thermal base layer (top and bottom), no cotton
- Fleece or down mid-layer
- Waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers
- Waterproof gloves, plus a thin inner pair
- Woollen cap and neck gaiter
- Snow boots with grip, or hired gumboots at Solang
- Sunglasses and sunscreen, because snow glare is strong even on cloudy days
How do you stay safe during snow activities in Manali?
Most problems in Manali winters come from black ice on the roads and unguided attempts at steeper slopes, not from the activities themselves. These steps prevent most of them:
- Check the morning status. Ask your hotel or operator which snow point is open that day before you set off.
- Hire a local driver with snow chains. Shaded bends freeze into black ice, especially after 3 pm.
- Book instructors, not just gear. For skiing and snowboarding, an instructor is the difference between learning and falling.
- Ask for helmets on ATVs, scooters and ski slopes.
- Start by 8 am. Snow is firmer, queues are shorter, and you are back before the afternoon freeze.
- Respect altitude. Sissu and Patalsu are high enough to cause headaches, so drink water and go slow.
A 3-day snow itinerary from Manali
- Day 1 — Solang Valley. Morning ski lesson, then snow tubing or a scooter ride, and the ropeway if skies are clear.
- Day 2 — Atal Tunnel and Sissu, or Gulaba. Go to Sissu if the road is open, or Gulaba and Kothi if it isn’t. Spend the day on snow play and photography.
- Day 3 — Guided snowshoe walk or Patalsu Peak day hike. Alternatively, move to Sethan for an igloo night and ski the empty slopes the next morning.
Why book snow activities in Manali with Into Wild Himalaya?
Into Wild Himalaya is a Manali-based adventure operator that runs guided skiing, snowshoeing and winter treks every season. Our guides are local and trained in first aid and winter travel. They check weather, snow and road conditions every morning. We provide skiing equipment and group gear, and send you a packing list before your trip.
We plan each day around the snow rather than a fixed script. When a road closes, you still get a full day in the mountains.
Plan your Manali snow trip with us
Frequently asked questions about snow activities in Manali
Is there snow in Manali in December?
Usually yes, from mid-to-late December at Solang Valley, Gulaba and the Atal Tunnel area. Early December can be dry in Manali town. For the most reliable snow, plan for January or February.
Which is better for snow, Solang Valley or Gulaba?
Solang Valley is better for activities, because skiing, tubing, scooters and the ropeway are all there. Gulaba usually has deeper snow and fewer people but fewer organised activities. Access to Gulaba also depends on where the police barrier is that day.
How much do snow activities in Manali cost?
At Solang, tubing or a scooter ride costs roughly ₹300–₹600. Skiing or snowboarding with gear costs about ₹500–₹2,000 per hour. Igloo nights at Sethan run about ₹4,500–₹7,500 per person with meals. Guided treks and ski courses are priced per trip.
Can children do snow activities in Manali?
Yes. Snow tubing, sledging, snow play and the ropeway suit children. Skiing lessons suit children who can follow instructions, usually from around seven years old. Always dress children in waterproof layers and gloves.
Can you visit Sissu in winter?
Often, yes. Sissu is through the Atal Tunnel, about 38–40 km from Manali. The road closes to tourists during and after heavy snowfall, so keep Solang or Gulaba as a backup for the same day.
How many days do I need for snow activities in Manali?
Three days covers Solang Valley, a trip to Sissu or Gulaba and one guided snow experience. Add three to five days if you want to learn skiing properly.
Can a complete beginner learn skiing in Manali?
Yes. Solang has gentle slopes and a beginner lift. A one-hour lesson gets you sliding, and a multi-day course with the same instructor gets you turning with confidence.
Is Manali safe during heavy snowfall?
Manali town stays safe, but roads to higher snow points close and black ice forms on shaded bends. Travel with a local driver, follow police advisories and avoid driving after dark.
