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Where to see snow near Manali, season by season
From Manali you can find snow most of the year by going higher. In winter, Solang Valley (14 km) and the Lahaul side of the Atal Tunnel near Sissu are the easiest. In spring the snow point moves up the Rohtang road to Gulaba and Marhi, and from about May Rohtang Pass (3,978 m, permit needed) has snow walls into June. October and November usually bring the first snow to the high passes.
December to March: Solang and Sissu
Solang Valley is the snow most people see. From mid-December it is a white bowl with sledges, ski instructors and the ropeway, 14 km from town. Sissu, through the Atal Tunnel on the Lahaul side, is deeper and quieter in midwinter — when the road is open. Manali town itself usually gets snow in January and February — see Manali in December and January for the weather, roads and crowds.
April to May: up the Rohtang road
As the valley thaws, the snow line climbs. The “snow point” moves up the Rohtang road to Gulaba and Marhi. When Rohtang Pass reopens, usually around May, the road runs between walls of snow — the classic Manali photograph. It needs a Rohtang permit.
June to September: high and patchy
Rohtang keeps patches of snow into June; after that you need the high passes on the way to Leh or Spiti — Baralacha La often has snow beside the road in July.
October to November: first snow
The first falls dust Rohtang and the peaks around Solang. Clear days, cold nights, and very few people.
Elsewhere in Himachal
Kufri and Narkanda near Shimla, Dalhousie, Khajjiar and Dainkund in Chamba district, and the Dhauladhar above McLeodganj all see snow in a normal winter. See the best time to visit Himachal.
Before you go
Quick answers
Where is the nearest snow to Manali?
In winter, Solang Valley, 14 km away, is usually under snow from mid-December to March. In other seasons you have to go higher, up the Rohtang road or through the Atal Tunnel.
Can I see snow in Manali in May or June?
Yes, at Rohtang Pass, which usually reopens around May with snow still lining the road, and on the high slopes above Solang. Rohtang needs a vehicle permit.
Is there snow at the Atal Tunnel in winter?
Usually yes — Sissu and the Lahaul side of the tunnel hold deep snow in winter. The road can close after heavy snowfall, so check before you go.
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Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 24 October 2026. Fees, permits, timings and road openings change — check them before you travel.