Manali ski resort, Solang Ski area, apres-ski, things to see & do in Manali
Overview
Solang Valley sits at 2500m and is where all the adrenaline fuelled adventures take place in this part of Himachal Pradesh in Northern India. Its a high altitude and popular ski area situated 12km from the main town of Manali.
Manali is a picturesque hill station and very popular with holidaymakers and backpackers throughout the year who come to soak up the crisp mountain air and spectacular views of the 6000m Hamalayan peaks.
Manali après-ski
The old town of Manali is fascinating - packed with cafes and roadside vendors - its a very lively place and its here that you get the full sense of exploring somewhere new.
| Key information (whole area) | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 2700m |
| Top lift | 3200m |
| Family | |
| Beginner | |
| Intermediate | |
| Expert | |
| Piste (km) | 14 |
| Longest run | 1 km |
| Off piste | |
| Cross country | km |
| Season | Dec - April |
| Snowboard parks | 0 |
| Heli Skiing | ✔ |
| Summer skiing | ✘ |
| Glacier skiing | ✘ |
| Babysitting | ✘ |
| Creche | ✘ |
| Apres ski | Lively & fun |
Manali ski area guide
On piste skiing in the Solang Valley is certainly nothing like the Alps with all the frills and mountain infrastructure. There are a couple of blue pistes seved by the modern gondola and a beginners area. However, the main attraction if you are a good intermediate skier / boarder and above are the countless guided ski touring opportunities. There are 50 glaciers and over 500 peaks in Himachal region to explore!
Beginners
Some gentle slopes at the base of the mountain is where beginners first learn the basics. There is one tow lift but queues can sometimes mean walking up the gentle slopes is often quicker.
Intermediate
On-piste, the terrain is fairly limited to just 2 blue runs separated by a fence that are accessed from the top of the gondola at 3200m with a vertical of 500m.
Advanced
If you dont mind skinning up a few hours there are very few places in the world that offer 6km descents with 3000m of vertical! Ski tours can also be organised locally and can range from 10 to 15 day trips supported by porters who carry the food and set up camps on the high mountain trails.
Snowboard
As with advanced skiers, if you are prepared for some uphill walking, the reward is well worth the effort with deep untracked powder amongst the 6000m peaks.
Manali accommodation
Most people who come to Manali during the ski season tend to stay in the town in one of the many hotels in the Old town or rent a chalet or villa on the outskirts. The accommodation is comfortable and very affordable compared to mainstream US or European ski resorts and come with the added benefit of being in the Himalayas.
Things to see & do around Manali
Apart from skiing, there are many activities and places to visit including...
- Snowtubing - in tyres!
- Snowshoeing
- Snowmobile
- The Rahala waterfalls 16km from Manali at the start of the climb to the Rohtang Pass
- Vashist, a small town 3km away with natural sulphur springs and Turkish baths
- Tour the ruined fort of Manaligarh
Shopping
The Mall Road is the best place for shopping in Manali. Popular items include embroidered woolen shawls, Tibetan handicrafts, antiques, souvenirs and inlaid silver jewelry.
Mychaletfinder's view on Manali ski resort
Manali is a ski resort for everyone to enjoy no matter what age or skill level. The only downside is there is no mountain side accommodation but having said that, lodging in one of the nearby towns is just a short ski bus ride away.
