Manali in February 2027: Snow, Weather, Roads and a 4-Day Plan

Short answer: Manali in February is the most reliable month for snow in the town itself. IMD normals give a mean maximum of 12 °C, a mean minimum of 0.3 °C and 114 mm of precipitation, the wettest winter month, much of it falling as snow. Solang has its best ski cover, Sissu beyond the Atal Tunnel is deep in snow, and Rohtang is shut. Expect road closures for a day or more after each storm and plan a buffer day. Valentine’s week is the one busy stretch.

What is the weather like in Manali in February?

February is deep winter in Manali, but it is a brighter, snowier winter than January’s grey cold. Western disturbances arrive every five to ten days, each one bringing a day or two of snow in town and heavier falls above, followed by two or three days of sharp blue sky. IMD’s 1991–2020 normals for the Manali station give a mean daily maximum of 12.0 °C, a mean minimum of 0.3 °C and 113.7 mm of precipitation over 6.7 wet days, more than any other month between November and March. The February record low is −11 °C. Nights are below freezing more often than not, and the sun does not reach the valley floor until mid-morning.

The mix matters for planning. A storm day means a morning indoors, iced roads and closed barriers; the clear day after is when the valley looks like the photographs. Build the trip so that your Solang or tunnel day can move by 24 hours.

How much snow does Manali get in February?

At town level (about 2,050 m) you can expect two to four snowfall events in a normal February, each leaving anything from a dusting to 30 cm on the Mall Road, Old Manali and Vashisht. Snow in town usually lasts two to five days before it turns to slush in the sun. Solang (2,560 m) holds snow continuously through the month in most years and has its best ski base. Beyond the Atal Tunnel, Sissu and Koksar sit under a metre or more.

Recent Februaries show the pattern. On 19 February 2024 heavy snow blocked the Manali–Leh highway beyond Solang and closed schools in Lahaul for two days (The Tribune, 20 February 2024). On 9 February 2025 Rohtang, the Atal Tunnel, Solang, Hamta and the whole Lahaul valley were under thick fresh snow and the town got a good fall; on 28 February 2025 the Manali–Atal Tunnel road shut completely, with BRO estimating at least a week to clear it. In late February 2026 Solang, the tunnel, Hamta and Gulaba were white and Rohtang was inaccessible. Every one of these years, the second half of February delivered snow at Solang and above. For the January picture, see Manali in January; our Himachal snowfall tracker logs each spell through the winter.

What are the roads like, and do you need snow chains?

The Delhi–Manali highway through Mandi and Kullu is at low altitude and stays open all winter; what changes is the last 15 km above the town.

• Manali to Solang (13 km): ploughed quickly after snow, but icy in the shade. After fresh snow, police at Palchan or Solang allow only 4×4 vehicles with snow chains to continue, and on the heaviest days nothing goes past Solang. Taxis fit chains at Palchan.
• Solang to Atal Tunnel (about 15 km): the first stretch to close and the last to reopen. The tunnel itself needs no permit or fee, but the approach closes whenever BRO is clearing or avalanche risk is high. In February, count on two to seven days of closure after a big storm. In late January 2026 the road reopened only for Lahaul residents in 4×4s with chains for several days before tourists were allowed.
• Rohtang Pass: closed for the winter. The checkpoint moves down from Gulaba to Kothi once the upper road ices, and tourists are not allowed beyond. Reopening is mid-May; in 2026 it was 15 May. Our Rohtang permit and road status page has the live position.
• Self-drive: possible in a sedan to Manali, not sensible beyond. If you must, hire chains in Manali and practise fitting them in a car park, not on the Solang bend.

Our Delhi to Manali taxi runs SUVs through the winter and the drivers carry chains. Check the DC Kullu and Manali police advisories each morning; your hotel reception will know which barrier is in force.

What can you do in Manali in February?

• Skiing at Solang: this is the month. Beginner slopes with instructors operate whenever base depth allows, and the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering in Manali runs structured courses of several days. The ropeway climbs to a higher station for views and longer runs. Weekends and Valentine’s week are busiest; go on a weekday morning if you can.
• Snow play: snow scooters, tubing and sledging at Solang, and snow-suit and gumboot rental stalls at Palchan and Solang. Agree the price and duration before you start.
• Sissu day trip: when the tunnel road is open, Sissu’s frozen waterfall and the snowfield by the helipad are the quietest deep snow within reach. Leave by 8 am and turn back by 1 pm.
• Hamta and Sethan: the Sethan plateau above Prini hosts igloo stays and snow walks in January and February when the snowpack is deep enough. Access is by 4×4 and then on foot. Book a day or two ahead and accept that a storm can cancel it.
• Vashisht hot springs: the temple’s free hot baths are the best thing about a February evening. Separate bathing areas for men and women; carry a towel.
• Town walks: Hidimba Devi temple in snow, the Manu temple lane in Old Manali, and the Mall Road after a fall. Many Old Manali cafes close for the winter; the town centre stays open.

We do not print activity prices because they move with snow and crowd. Ask us for the current range when you book.

Is Valentine’s week busy in Manali?

Yes, noticeably. Valentine’s Day 2027 falls on Sunday 14 February, so the week of 7–14 February 2027, and especially the weekend of 12–14 February, brings couples from Delhi, Chandigarh and Punjab. Hotels in the Mall Road belt and Old Manali firm up their rates, Solang queues lengthen, and the better riverside properties sell out early. If you want that week, book by mid-January. If you do not care about the date, the weeks of 15–28 February usually have the same snow with easier hotels and shorter queues. Our Kullu Manali honeymoon package (3 nights, 4 days) starts at ₹12,999 per person and the romantic Shimla Manali tour from Chandigarh (5 nights, 6 days) from ₹12,499 per person; the Delhi version starts at ₹14,499. All three are indicative and confirmed on quote. February is outside our peak band of 20 December to 5 January, so there is no 25% festive surcharge.

How do you reach Manali in February?

By road from Delhi: about 540 km via Chandigarh, Kiratpur, Bilaspur and Mandi. HRTC and private Volvo coaches run overnight, roughly 12–14 hours. A private taxi takes similar time with the advantage of daylight stops and an SUV for the final climb. Chandigarh to Manali is about 310 km, 8–9 hours. The road is at valley level and rarely closes, though fog on the plains can slow the first stretch out of Delhi.

By air: Bhuntar (Kullu–Manali airport) is 50 km from Manali. Flights are few and winter weather cancels them often, because the approach needs clear visibility in a narrow valley. Alliance Air cut the Delhi service to one flight a week in August 2025 and the schedule has changed since. Fly to Chandigarh instead and drive, or book Bhuntar with a road backup you are willing to use. Visitors from abroad can read our Delhi to Manali guide for foreign visitors.

Spiti: the Manali–Kaza road over Kunzum La is closed by snow from mid-October until late spring, so winter Spiti is reached only via Shimla and Kinnaur. See our winter Spiti valley guide if that is the trip you want.

A four-day Manali itinerary for February

Add two nights in Shimla to make it the full Himachal tour package loop; the Shimla–Manali drive via Mandi runs at valley level and is open in February. For Christmas and New Year dates instead, see our Christmas and New Year Manali packages.

What should you pack for Manali in February?

• Thermal base layers, a fleece and a proper down or insulated jacket. Snow days hover around 0 °C with wind chill.
• Waterproof, grippy footwear. Rent gumboots at Solang rather than carry them.
• Waterproof gloves, woollen cap, neck warmer, sunglasses and SPF 50; snow glare after a storm is fierce.
• Lip balm, moisturiser, a power bank and cash. UPI drops out at Solang when the network is overloaded.
• Medicines for cold and a basic first-aid kit; pharmacies in town are fine but Sissu has none.

Hotels: most mid-range properties use room heaters, not central heating, and power cuts follow heavy snow. Ask three questions before you book: is the heater included, is hot water round the clock, and is there a generator. We ask these for you when we book. A 20% deposit locks your dates and price; full refund if cancelled within 48 hours of paying; balance before the trip; pay by card via Razorpay (international cards accepted) or PayPal.

Frequently asked questions

Is February a good month to visit Manali for snow?

Yes, it is the most reliable month for snow in Manali town, with IMD normals showing 114 mm of precipitation over about seven wet days and a mean minimum near 0 °C. Solang has its best ski cover and Sissu is deep in snow. The trade-off is road closures after each storm, so keep a buffer day.

Is the Atal Tunnel open in February?

The tunnel is open year-round, but the approach road from Solang closes for two to seven days after heavy snow while BRO clears it. After a storm, police allow only 4×4 vehicles with chains, sometimes residents only at first. Plan the Sissu trip on the clear day after a spell, not during one.

Can I go to Rohtang Pass in February?

No. Rohtang is closed to tourists for the winter and reopens around mid-May; in 2026 it reopened on 15 May. The checkpoint sits at Kothi in winter and nothing goes beyond. For snow, use Solang or the Atal Tunnel to Sissu, both of which have more than enough in February.

How crowded is Manali on Valentine’s Day?

Busy. Valentine’s Day 2027 is Sunday 14 February, so the weekend of 12–14 February and the week before draw couples from Delhi, Chandigarh and Punjab. Hotels firm up and Solang queues lengthen. Book by mid-January for that week, or travel 15–28 February for the same snow with easier bookings.

Do I need snow chains to drive to Manali in February?

Not for the Delhi–Manali highway, which stays at valley level and open. You need chains, and usually a 4×4, for the 13 km to Solang and beyond after fresh snow, because police barriers at Palchan or Solang turn back cars without them. A local taxi with a winter driver removes the problem.

What does a Manali trip cost in February?

Our Kullu Manali honeymoon package starts at ₹12,999 per person for 3 nights; the Shimla Manali tour from Chandigarh from ₹12,499 and from Delhi ₹14,499 for 5 nights, all indicative and confirmed on quote. February is outside the 20 December–5 January peak band, so there is no 25% festive surcharge.