Late Snowfall in Himachal and Uttarakhand Drives Rise in Winter Travel Demand
After a prolonged dry spell and below-normal snowfall earlier in the season, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand experienced widespread snowfall in late January 2026, driven by active Western Disturbances. The delayed but intense winter conditions have led to a noticeable increase in travel demand across North India.
Moustache Group of Hotels reported a 50% year-on-year increase in hotel stays across its North India portfolio during this period. The rise in bookings has led to higher revenues from its hostels and hotels in both states, as travellers responded to the sudden transformation of hill destinations into snow-covered landscapes following weeks of dry weather.
Temperatures across North India have dropped 2–3°C below seasonal averages in recent weeks, coinciding with snowfall across the Himalayan belt. This shift has encouraged working professionals and younger travellers to head to the hills in search of winter scenery and quieter work-from-anywhere settings. The late arrival of snowfall, following an unusually dry start to winter, has intensified interest in mountain travel.
Snowfall has been reported in nine of Himachal Pradesh’s twelve districts, while higher-altitude regions of Uttarakhand are also witnessing increased snow activity. Areas such as Mori, Pithoragarh, Nainital, Bageshwar, and Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand, along with Tabo, Kalpa, Manali, and Lahaul-Spiti in Himachal Pradesh, are expected to remain cold. In Shimla, temperatures may drop to around –1°C, while Manali is preparing for extended periods of sub-zero temperatures.
The visual shift from snow-free roads to snow-covered landscapes has gained traction on social media, with images from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir circulating widely and contributing to increased travel interest.
Commenting on the trend, Deepak Agarwal said the group has seen a rise in occupancy across its 14 hostels and hotels in the two states. These include properties in Rishikesh, Mussoorie, Mukteshwar, Naukuchiatal, and Nainital in Uttarakhand, and Manali, McLeod Ganj, Lahaul Village, Sissu, Jibhi–Tirthan Valley, Bir, and Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh. He noted that bookings were approximately 50% higher than in the same period last year, with revenue up, particularly in the group’s Luxuria segment.
He added that continued snowfall expectations through the winter could sustain this demand trend.
The pattern reflects a broader shift across North India, where extended winter conditions are creating seasonal opportunities for hospitality operators. Brands with a strong presence in hill destinations and flexible accommodation formats are seeing increased interest as travellers seek winter experiences and short-term mountain stays.
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