How Manali is shedding its honeymoon tag to become an adventure hub
Manali has moved beyond its image as a honeymoon and sightseeing destination and is now positioning itself as a major adventure tourism hub in India
Manali has moved beyond its image as a honeymoon and sightseeing destination and is now positioning itself as a major adventure tourism hub in India. Officials and industry stakeholders say the shift has helped tourism in Himachal Pradesh by offering activities across seasons rather than relying only on a limited travel window. Within a span of 50 kilometres, Manali offers snow sports, aerosports and watersports, along with activities such as rock climbing, ice climbing, bungee jumping, zipline and mountain biking. With better access, certified operators and a growing number of trained local guides, it is drawing visitors from India and abroad looking for organised and safe high-altitude adventure. Read Full Story Manali is also seen as the pioneer of commercial heli-skiing in India. The activity began here in 1990, with the town serving as the operations base for helicopter-assisted skiing in the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges, especially around Hanuman Tibba, Deo Tibba and the slopes above Solang.
The heli-skiing season in Manali usually runs from mid-January to March, depending on snowfall. "Manali's topography provides a distinct advantage over other mountain destinations, and powder skiing at Manali is exceptional as it has a variety of exposures", said Chuni Thakur, the only certified heli-skiing guide in India. "The altitude allows much greater back radiation than other areas, which creates excellent re-crystallised powder," he added. In heli-skiing, helicopters drop skiers at altitudes above 3,500 metres, giving them access to vertical runs of 800 to 1,200 metres on untouched snow, unlike ski resorts with lifts and crowds. Industry operators say that while Gulmarg is better known for lift-based skiing, Manali remains India's main centre for heli-accessed terrain, with visitors including experienced skiers from Europe, Australia, Japan and Indian metros. Prakash Thakur Budhi, president of the Hotel Owners Association in Manali, said, "If the government promotes adventure activities through proper platforms, there's a lot of scope to attract domestic and international tourists." Tour operators say visitor patterns have also changed.
Earlier, 70 per cent of visitors came for leisure and shopping, but now about 35-40 per cent come specifically for activities. While heli-skiing is for experts, snowshoe trekking is being as a winter activity for beginners and families between December and February. During this period, snow depth in Solang, Sethan, Hamta and the forests around Old Manali reaches 2 to 4 feet. "With snowshoes on, popular summer trekking routes transform into magical winter trails through silent forests, frozen streams, and wide open snowfields with breathtaking mountain views," said Sunny, a local guide who leads regular snowshoe walks from Sethan village. Himachal Pradesh Tourism has been promoting Manali under its "Adventure Himachal" campaign, focusing on safety standards, waste management on trails and training for young people from nearby villages. At the same time, industry stakeholders say challenges remain, including capacity building, more certified instructors and guides, especially for winter sports, environmental management, checks on littering on popular trails and erosion during the peak season.
The BriefWire