Himachal Pradesh: Shimla Records Season’s First Snowfall, Tourism Picks Up In Kufri & Narkanda
December 2025 | Travel & Weather Update | Winter Tourism Boom | Himachal Pradesh Snowfall News
π― Today’s Special Mock Test: Tourism, Geography & Environment (Shimla Snowfall Focus)
Free practice set based on Himachal Pradesh, Shimla winter tourism, snowfall patterns, IMD forecast & Himalayan geography.
Ideal for SSC, Banking, State PCS & HPPSC aspirants.
π Take Today’s Shimla Snowfall Mock Test
By Travel, Geography & Environment Correspondent
Himalayan Tourism, Climate & Current Affairs Analyst
Focus: Himachal tourism, snowfall updates, IMD forecasts, exam-oriented geography
In a picturesque start to the peak winter season, Shimla and its nearby hill resorts like Kufri and Narkanda recorded the season’s first snowfall, turning the Himachal capital and upper reaches into postcard-perfect white slopes and triggering a sharp uptick in tourist arrivals and hotel bookings[web:130][web:131][web:132].
According to officials quoted in recent reports, Shimla town received light snowfall in the early part of the winter season, while higher tourist resorts such as Kufri and Narkanda witnessed more pronounced snow cover, delighting visitors and local hoteliers alike[web:131][web:132]. This early-season whiteout has been described as a rare occurrence in decades, with earlier seasons often seeing the first major snowfall only towards late December or January, making the present spell especially significant for tourism planners and winter-sport operators[web:129][web:130][web:132].
Local hospitality stakeholders have reported a surge in enquiries and advance bookings for Christmas–New Year weeks, as travellers from Delhi‑NCR, Punjab, Haryana and other neighbouring states rush to experience the snow-clad Himalayan vistas[web:129][web:132]. Travel agencies and tour operators have started pushing curated Shimla–Kufri–Narkanda winter packages, highlighting snow walks, sledging, ski slopes, and apple-orchard views as key attractions[web:138][web:144].
Local hospitality stakeholders have reported a surge in enquiries and advance bookings for Christmas–New Year weeks, as travellers from Delhi‑NCR, Punjab, Haryana and other neighbouring states rush to experience the snow-clad Himalayan vistas[web:129][web:132]. Travel agencies and tour operators have started pushing curated Shimla–Kufri–Narkanda winter packages, highlighting snow walks, sledging, ski slopes, and apple-orchard views as key attractions[web:138][web:144].
Snowfall Pattern & IMD Outlook
❄️ First Snow Spell: Key Highlights
- Location: Shimla town (around 2,200 m), with surrounding areas like Kufri and Narkanda witnessing more sustained snowfall due to higher elevation[web:131][web:132][web:144].
- Intensity: Light to moderate snowfall in town, heavier on adjacent ridges and slopes; enough to create white patches on rooftops, trees and meadows[web:131][web:132].
- Tourism Impact: Immediate rise in footfall at popular viewpoints such as Ridge, Mall Road, Kufri snow points and Narkanda ski meadows[web:129][web:132].
π¨️ IMD Forecast & December Weather Trend
- The IMD’s Himachal centre has indicated that successive western disturbances bring chances of snow and rain in higher reaches, especially around the first half of December on select days[web:145][web:139].
- Climatological data suggest that Shimla usually sees around two snowy days in December, with average early‑month temperatures close to 17–18°C dropping to mid‑teens by month end[web:133].
- Extended-range bulletins show that clear, sunny days are interspersed with isolated precipitation events, so tourists must check short‑range forecasts before planning snow-centric itineraries[web:133][web:139].
⚠️ Roads & Safety
- Whenever snow falls on key routes such as Shimla–Kufri–Narkanda, authorities typically issue advisories on slippery roads, black ice, and fog, urging use of snow chains and cautious driving[web:129][web:145].
- Tourists are advised to keep buffer time for possible traffic snarls, landslip‑prone sections, and temporary road closures during heavier spells[web:137][web:145].
Tourism Boost: Hotels, Packages & Local Economy
π¨ Occupancy Trends & Bookings
- Local reports indicate that occupancy in Shimla, Kufri and Narkanda hotels jumps sharply after first snowfall, with prime‑view and Mall Road properties often filling first[web:129][web:132][web:141].
- Travel platforms show strong interest in Kufri stays and snow-view hotels, as tourists chase Instagram‑friendly snow landscapes and sunrise views[web:141][web:143].
- Himachal Tourism and private operators actively market Christmas–New Year packages around Hotel Hatu (Narkanda) and other scenic properties targeting families and honeymooners[web:135][web:144].
πΏ Experiences Drawing Tourists
- Snow Activities: Sledging, snowman building, short ski runs in and around Kufri and Narkanda slopes when snow depth permits[web:132][web:144][web:137].
- Scenic Walks: Heritage walks around Ridge, Mall Road, Jakhu hills with snow‑capped views of the Shivalik and Pir Panjal ranges[web:129][web:143].
- Cultural & Food Tourism: CafΓ©s, local Himachali cuisine, and Christmas‑themed decorations on the Ridge and Mall add to festive ambience during winter weeks[web:143][web:137].
πΌ Local Economy & Employment
- Snowfall seasons are crucial for hoteliers, taxi operators, guides, dhaba owners and small shopkeepers who rely heavily on winter tourist inflows[web:132][web:137].
- Early snow improves chances of a longer and more profitable season, particularly important after years of patchy snowfall or pandemic‑affected winters[web:129][web:132].
Shimla In December: Weather, Best Time & Travel Tips
Typical December Conditions
- Average daytime temperatures generally range from 15–18°C early in the month, dipping towards mid‑teens and single‑digit nights closer to year end[web:133][web:143].
- Historical patterns show that the main snowfall window spans December to February, with peak snow reliability often in January[web:134][web:137].
- However, as recent seasons demonstrate, specific snowfall dates vary year to year, depending on western disturbance activity[web:145][web:142].
Planning a Snow Trip: Practical Advice
- Always cross‑check IMD and reliable weather portals for 3–5 day forecasts before targeting a snow day in Shimla or nearby destinations[web:133][web:139][web:142].
- Choose flexible itineraries that allow buffer days in case roads get disrupted by sudden heavy snowfall or fog[web:137][web:145].
- Book refundable or partially‑refundable stays when possible and keep emergency winter gear (gloves, boots, thermals) ready, especially for families with kids[web:137][web:143].
Exam Corner: Geography, Tourism & Environment (Shimla Focus)
Key Pointers For SSC / Banking / State PCS
- State & Capital: Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh, located in the lower Himalayas[web:143].
- Altitude: Shimla sits around 2,200 metres above sea level; higher nearby resorts include Kufri (~2,510 m) and Narkanda (~2,700 m), which receive heavier snow[web:144][web:137].
- Tourism Tagline: Known as the former British “Summer Capital”, today it is a major winter tourism and honeymoon destination[web:129][web:143].
Sample MCQs (Practice)
- Shimla, Kufri and Narkanda—recently in news for season’s first snowfall—are located in which Indian state? (A) Uttarakhand (B) Sikkim (C) Himachal Pradesh (D) Jammu & Kashmir
- Which agency issues official snowfall and western disturbance forecasts for Himachal Pradesh? (A) IMD (Shimla Centre) (B) NDMA (C) NHAI (D) BRO
- In which months is Shimla’s main snowfall season generally observed? (A) April–June (B) July–September (C) October–November (D) December–February
Descriptive / Mains Practice
- “Seasonal snowfall in Himalayan hill stations like Shimla is both an economic opportunity and a climatic vulnerability.” Discuss.
- Explain how western disturbances influence winter weather and snowfall patterns in North India, with examples from Himachal Pradesh.
— End of Report —
Sources:
- National & regional reports on Shimla’s first snowfall and tourism response[web:129][web:130][web:131][web:132].
- Weather trend data and extended forecast references for Shimla in December 2025[web:133][web:139][web:142].
- Himachal tourism, snowfall‑time guides and destination profiles for Kufri & Narkanda[web:134][web:137][web:143][web:144][web:141].
- IMD Himachal snowfall and rain outlook for early December period[web:145].
