Manali in December & January 2026-27: Snow, Atal Tunnel, Solang & Rohtang

Short answer: In December and January, snow in Manali town and on Mall Road is not guaranteed: last winter the town's first proper snowfall came only on 23 January 2026 (The Tribune). Snow is far more reliable higher up, at Solang Nala, the Atal Tunnel and Sissu, which already had fresh snow on 15 and 25 October 2026. Rohtang Pass is closed to tourist vehicles for the winter, and on snow days police often stop traffic at Solang Nala or allow only 4x4s. Expect heavy crowds and traffic jams between Christmas and New Year.

This guide is for travellers planning a winter trip to Manali in December 2026 or January 2027, often as part of a Himachal circuit from Dharamshala. It is based on official orders and dated news reports from the last two winters, checked on 26 October 2026. Where something has not been announced yet, we say so.

Manali in Winter: Quick Facts

For live road news on Rohtang and the tunnel, see our dated Rohtang Pass and Atal Tunnel status page.

Will it snow in Manali in December and January?

Probably somewhere near Manali, but not necessarily in the town on the days you are there. Snow depends on altitude. The higher you go towards Solang, the Atal Tunnel and Lahaul, the better your chances.

Here is what actually happened in recent winters, from dated reports. Treat it as a guide to the pattern, not a forecast.

Our reading: if snow in the town itself is the main point of your trip, late January has been a better bet than December in the last two winters. If you just want to touch snow, Solang and the tunnel area usually deliver from late December, as long as the roads are open.

Where is the snow? Mall Road, Old Manali, Solang, Atal Tunnel and Sissu

Sissu in late January and February: in 2025 the Sissu gram panchayat banned tourism activities in its area from mid-January to 28 February, for local religious ceremonies (The Tribune, January 2025). It has done this in other years too. No notice for 2027 had been published when we checked on 26 October 2026, so check before you plan a Sissu day in that window.

Is Rohtang Pass open in December and January?

No. Rohtang closes to tourist vehicles for the winter. In 2024, the Kullu administration stopped vehicle movement beyond the Gulaba barrier after a joint inspection on 30 November (The Tribune, 2 December 2024). In 2025, Rohtang was first shut by early snow on 9 October, then open again until the end of November (The Tribune; India.com, 24 November 2025).

It usually reopens in May. In 2026 the road opened to Marhi on 4 May and to just beyond Rahni Nala (km 46.35) on 17 May (The Tribune). In winter, your snow trips go to Solang, Gulaba (when allowed) and the Atal Tunnel side instead.

Full details, the permit rules and a dated log are on our Rohtang Pass and Atal Tunnel status page.

Can you go through the Atal Tunnel in winter?

Yes, on many days, but not always, and not in every car. The tunnel itself is an all-weather road, but the approach roads ice up and police decide each day how far tourist vehicles may go. These are the restrictions used in recent winters:

What this means for you:

• Hire a local 4x4 with chains for snow days rather than taking a sedan from the plains. Ask your driver to check the morning's police order.
• Go early, come back early. The road freezes after dark.
• Have a plan B. If police stop traffic at Solang, enjoy Solang; do not try to talk your way past the barrier.

What can you do at Solang Nala in winter?

When there is snow, Solang Nala is the centre of winter fun near Manali. On the snow day of 23 January 2026, The Tribune listed skiing, snow scooter rides, snow tubing, sledding, paragliding, horse riding and snow mountain biking, with operators reporting a jump in demand.

• Skiing: Solang is Manali's ski slope. The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports in Manali runs ski courses here; check its current course calendar before you plan around one.
• Ropeway: Solang has a ropeway. We have not verified current winter timings or fares, so ask locally on the day.
• Prices: activity rates are set by local operators and change with demand. Agree the price, the duration and what is included before you start.
• Weather: paragliding and the ropeway can stop in wind or snowfall.

When is the Manali Winter Carnival 2027?

Not announced yet (checked 26 October 2026). The carnival is held in January. In 2026 it ran for five days from Tuesday 20 January, opened by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, with a parade of nearly 300 tableaux (Himachal Headlines, 20 January 2026). ETV Bharat reported that the 2026 edition had no Star Night and no performers from outside Himachal, after the monsoon damage of 2025.

The programme in 2026 included the opening parade from the Hidimba Devi temple area, a Mahanati (mass folk dance) on Mall Road, the Winter Queen contest and Voice of the Carnival (ETV Bharat, 14 January 2026). We will add the 2027 dates when they are announced. A site at manaliwintercarnival.co.in that appears in search results did not show carnival information when we checked, so do not rely on it.

How busy is Manali at Christmas and New Year?

Very. This is the busiest week of the winter, and snow makes it worse.

• At Christmas 2023, 28,210 vehicles crossed the Atal Tunnel in 24 hours, and nearly 65,000 tourists were recorded at the tunnel on one Sunday (official records reported by The Tribune, 26 December 2023). The Himachal government advised tourists to book rooms in advance.
• In late December 2024, about 2,000 vehicles were stranded at Solang Nala after heavy snow and police worked overnight to bring tourists down (The Tribune, 29 December 2024).

How to cope:

1. Book your room early and confirm it in writing.
2. Do the tunnel and Solang on a weekday before 24 December or after 2 January if you can.
3. Leave Manali early in the morning for any snow trip, and carry water, snacks and warm layers in the car in case you are stuck.
4. Stay in a walkable area (Mall Road or Old Manali) so that evenings do not need a car.

If you would rather see in the New Year somewhere calmer, compare our guides to New Year in McLeod Ganj and Dharamshala in December and January.

How cold is Manali, and what should you pack?

IMD averages for 1991-2020 put Manali at about 10.5°C by day and -1.1°C at night in January, and about 13.5°C by day and 0.3°C at night in December. It is colder at Solang, and much colder at the Atal Tunnel and Sissu, especially in wind.

• Layers: thermal base layer, fleece, down or padded jacket, windproof outer shell.
• Feet: waterproof boots with grip. Trainers soak through in snow.
• Hands and head: gloves (waterproof ones for snow play), woollen cap, sunglasses (snow glare).
• Health: lip balm, moisturiser, sunscreen and any regular medicines. Dry, cold air catches people out.
• Power: a power bank. Phone batteries drain fast in the cold.

Our Dharamshala weather and packing list works for Manali too; just add an extra warm layer.

How do you get to Manali in winter?

From Dharamshala or McLeod Ganj: about 230 to 250 km and 7 to 9 hours by road via Palampur, Baijnath and Mandi, then up the Kullu valley. HRTC runs direct buses, or you can take a private car with stops at Palampur and Bir. Start early so you are on the Mandi to Manali stretch in daylight. Full details are in our Dharamshala to Manali guide, and you can book a taxi from Dharamshala to Manali with us.

From Delhi: most people take an overnight Volvo bus (HRTC and private operators) from Delhi, or drive via Chandigarh, Kiratpur, Bilaspur and Mandi. It is a long night on the road; check current HRTC timings on the HRTC website or app.

From Chandigarh: the same highway via Kiratpur, Bilaspur, Mandi and Kullu.

By air: Kullu-Manali Airport at Bhuntar is about 52 km from Manali. Wikipedia lists Alliance Air as its only airline, with Delhi among the routes. Flights here are few and weather-sensitive, so keep a road backup. Many travellers instead fly into Kangra (Gaggal) for Dharamshala and drive on.

A good winter loop: Delhi, Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj, Bir, then Manali. Our Delhi, Dharamshala and Manali itinerary lays it out day by day, and our Bir travel guide covers the stop on the way.

Where should you stay in Manali in winter?

Ask before you book: Is the room heated, and is heating extra? Is there hot water all day? Is there power backup? Can a car reach the door after snow?

On the Dharamshala leg of your trip, browse our checked hotels in Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj. For walks and treks before you head to Manali, see our treks page.

What is confirmed and what is not (26 October 2026)