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Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski) resort snow
Lat Long: 32.27° N 77.17° E
Ski India

Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski) Resort Reviews

Weather Forecast for Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski) at 3750 m altitude

Issued: 4 pm 07 May 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Next snow in Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski): 0.2 cm on Fri 8th  (after 8 PM)

Visitor reviews for Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski) Ski Resort

Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski) Ratings

Overall: 2.9. Based on 5 votes and 47 reviews.

Rate this resort

Snowsure: 4.0

  • Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing
  • Is often closed due to a lack of snow
  • Occasionally suffers from a lack of snow
  • Rarely suffers from a lack of snow
  • Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski) is snowsure even in the poorest seasons

Variety of pistes: 4.0

  • The ski runs are featureless and unvaried
  • The ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week
  • Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski) has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain

Off-piste: 4.2

  • No off-piste worth mentioning
  • Off piste is out-of-bounds
  • Some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days
  • A vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days

Scenery: 4.8

  • An ugly resort in a bland setting
  • Average mountain views and resort
  • A spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town

Access: 2.4

  • At least one overnight stop
  • Requires a whole day
  • Requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns
  • Arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon
  • There is a main airport within an hour of Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski)

Public Transport: 3.2

  • There are no buses or taxis to Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski)
  • There are slow or infrequent buses / trains available
  • Getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections

Accommodation: 4.4

  • No places to stay in/near Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski)
  • A few places to stay in the resort
  • A wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets

Cheap Rooms: 4.0

  • No budget accommodation available
  • Just one or two hostels so book ahead
  • Several cheap hostels and pensions available

Luxury Hotels: 3.6

  • No luxury accommodation available
  • Just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead
  • Several up-market hotels in Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski)

Ski in/Ski out: 2.5

  • The ski area is located far from any accommodation
  • A free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip
  • Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available

Childcare: 1.3

  • There are no child care facilities at Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski)
  • The resort has limited child-care facilities
  • the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche

Snowmaking: 1.7

  • Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski) relies entirely on natural snow
  • There are just a few snow cannons
  • There are snowmaking facilities on all pistes

Snow Grooming: 1.0

  • There are no snow groomers at Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski)
  • Occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state
  • All the runs at Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski) are groomed daily

Shelter: 2.2

  • There is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut
  • There are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close
  • Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski) is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close

Nearby options: 1.0

  • If snow conditions are poor at Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski), it will be poor everywhere nearby
  • There are good alternatives within an hours drive
  • Other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions

Regional rating: 4.4

  • Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski) usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region
  • Has average conditions for the region
  • Usually has the best snow conditions in the region

Lift Staff: 4.0

  • The staff at Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski) are rude or unhelpful
  • Lift staff at Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski) are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help

Crowds/Queues: 4.4

  • The resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues
  • It is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays
  • It is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare

Ski Schools: 1.3

  • No ski schools available
  • One or two ski schools but local language only
  • A few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors
  • Plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available
  • Excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors

Hire and Repairs: 2.6

  • Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex
  • There are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance
  • Good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible

Beginners: 2.0

  • Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard
  • A few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week
  • Vast areas of gentle terrain

Intermediates: 2.8

  • No intermediate terrain at Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski)
  • Intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days
  • Vast areas of cruising runs

Advanced: 4.0

  • Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders
  • Enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste
  • Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week

Snow Park: 1.0

  • Not even a kicker at Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski)
  • Average sized park quite well looked after
  • Huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails

Cross-country: 2.2

  • There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski)
  • There are some cross country trails available
  • The area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails

Luge/Toboggan: 1.0

  • No designated luge or toboggan runs
  • There are toboggan runs that open quite often
  • Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski) has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages

Mountain Dining: 3.0

  • Nowhere to buy food by the pistes
  • Some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive
  • There is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets

Eating: 3.8

  • Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop
  • There are a few places to eat in the resort but nothing special
  • A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants

Apres-Ski: 2.0

  • Nothing to do, not even a bar
  • There are a few bars in the resort but nothing special
  • Clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere

Other Sports: 1.7

  • No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts
  • Resort has just a small public swimming pool
  • Resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool

Entertainment: 3.2

  • Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here
  • The non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week
  • The resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports

Winter Walks: 3.5

  • Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails
  • A couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails
  • Extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities

Ski Pass Value: 3.7

  • A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available
  • The ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts
  • Ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area

Value (National): 4.0

  • Overall, Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski) is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money
  • Overall represents average value for money
  • Overall offers the best value resort in the country

Value (Global): 3.8

  • Overall, Manali (Himachal Heli-Ski) is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world
  • Overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries
  • Internationally the resort offers excellent value for money

Show all 35 ratings

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August 08, 2008
tsering from Ski Germany Germany
I am a native of Manali and lived there all my life. I love my place and I'm very touchy about the environmental issue, but I'm also practical man. Although in principal I don't like this heli-skiing business for various reasons, but when it comes to it helping the economy of the local people I have don't mind it. But the problem with this is that, the place belongs to us local people and but all the benefits are taken by the outsiders, e.g the business run by an Australian, the hotel they hire is owned by some one from Delhi, the pilots are European and the customers are all Europeans. So how does it help the local people, may be doing some mean job like driving, helping as porters, all of which is very poorly paid, maybe Euro 50 per month to keep it on higher side. I forgot another thing, the owner of the agency to keep his selfish interest going has been making false promise to so many young skiers from the valley, that he would employ them. Yes! he has employed couple of them and one of the guys happens to be very good friend of mine. But the truth of the matter is that what the owner does is uses these guys, he hires them at 5 Euros a day, and gets them to do the most dangerous job of leading the pack while skiing down the dangerous terrain. Worst thing is that he does not even insure them, and these guys are not hired full whole year but part time. Imagine if the owner has to hire some one from Europe he would have to shell may be thousand of times more only for his insurance leave the service. I think its disgusting, I suggest all you heli- skiing lovers please come to my place and enjoy but at least give what is due to these guys who put their life for your entertainment. I would also like to mention that couple of years back the owner of the firm promised these guides that he would sponsor their learning of higher skills in Europe but it has never happened. Rest I leave all for your judgment. Tsering
April 19, 2008
suresh from Ski India India
Step taken against the heli-ski was really appreciable. Nearby people used to say it was less the ski more animal poaching and smuggling. Also disturbing the wildlife like brown bear.
February 06, 2008
rvltnbb from Ski Bulgaria Bulgaria
oo aa, helicopter very bad haha, maybe you want all the forests to be cut out, pistes dug all over the mountain, lifts and gondolas all over it and it will be perfect. Then you will miss the only helicopter. Ooh heli-skiing is such an environmental concern.
February 27, 2007
Maria from Ski India India
I was pleased to see a number of comments from individuals expressing concern about the invasive nature of heli-skiing. It seems there are more people up here who are against it than for it. Interestingly, up until today, we have had very small snowfall here, which has meant a peaceful time for the residents in Kullu Valley as no heli-skiing chopper has been buzzing around. Yes, I also witnessed the chopper flying very low over Manali town last year doing sightseeing............. I don't know if the rumours are true, but I heard some of the trips they had been doing were for hunting wildlife. This is totally illegal and a disgrace. Let's hope, with the new information we now have on climate change and the focus on environmental concerns, the heli skiing will stop. Not just here, but globally. It's about time humans remembered they are a part of nature and not apart from it!
January 06, 2007
John Houghton from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Hi Mat Good point, ok i'll walk then... and i'll only eat potatoes and not stay in any hotels or thumb a lift... might not be there till next winter though!
November 26, 2006
Matthew Harvey from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Dear John Houghton... Please explain to me how you are a "true environmentalist" and yet you're gunna fly half way around the world just to go skiing? The local people of Manali clearly have a problem with the noise. It would be disrespectful for heli-skiing companies not to consult local people about their concerns. Good luck to all people who are fighting against Manali Heli-Ski...The Himalayas are a place to ski, but not without the consent of local people.
September 06, 2006
John Houghton from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Myself and a group of seven are really looking forward to visiting Gulmarg this winter and also thinking of heli-skiing in Himachal... clearly there is a problem with the heli ski operation here, and by heli-skiing in Himachal with all the strong local dislike of the operation I would think again before coming. Surely there may be some sort of compromise, like we do here in the Alps. Restricted flying times, certain areas off limits (especially populated areas) etc.. I would of thought that tourism is something to be encouraged...? I am a Ski/board fanatic but also a true enviromentlist and I would always truly respect the wishes and customs of people to which ever counrty I visit to practice my passion in life......
June 16, 2006
Eli from Ski USA - California USA - California
Dear Resident's of Valley of Gods, I wish to humbly apologize for the transgressions made against your land. I whole heartedly agree with each and every one of you who has a problem with this heli-skiing. To me the Himalayan’s are a beautiful, mysterious, and wonderful place (one that some day I would hope to visit). It brings me great sadness to see such rude behavior from fellow skiers/snowboarders. Recently I read an article, http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1357016/posts . Will this also be affecting you? I am interested in skiing and working to build equal sustainable economies with beneficial and productive outcomes, but do not want to put energy into something negative. Please know that there are people out there like me who love the snow, but also love the environment and respect the people who live there. I hope that anyone who reads this site will not go to Manali as long as such disruptive and non-constructive things are happening. Amitabha; Eli
May 26, 2006
Graham Barton from Ski India India
I also live up here in the Valley of Gods and whole heartedly agree with the other writers. The heliskiing is making life miserable for all people and animals living here. Thankfully the season is now over for this year, but the helicopters are now doing sightseeing tours around the Manali area, so it's still a nightmare. Us residents will be doing everything we can to make sure this disturbance is brought to an end and the delicate eco balance of this area is given a chance to recover. If you want to heli ski, you obviously have money to burn. Go and build an artificial slope near where you live and see how much you enjoy the constant racket of helicopters flying overhead.
May 01, 2006
local resident from Ski India India
This comment by Mr Lancaster shows he does not care about local people and the culture the helicopters are disturbing. Early morning is a time for pooga's and worship at the temples in this Valley of the Gods. It's also a time for yoga and meditation, not just for foreign tourists, but for locals as well. It is a disgrace that these helicopters are allowed to fly directly from a holiday resort and not an authorised airport. I have seen the helicopters flying in very bad weather and on one occasion I heard one flying after sunset. This caused great distress to locals who were frightened and thought it was the Army.