Artificial snow initiative helped boost tourism at Sissu during long dry spell
The long dry spell that had left the Kullu-Manali and Lahaul-Spiti regions bereft of natural snowfall prompted two local tourism stakeholders to innovate and think out-of-box.
Amit Thakur, owner of Lapiti Cafe at Sissu, located opposite to the Atal Tunnel, and his associate Vivek, an adventure enthusiast, developed artificial snow to provide tourists with a unique winter experience.
Snowfall is a major draw for tourists during the winter season in these regions. However, this year’s prolonged dry weather left tourism stakeholders in a quandary. The lack of snow had led to a significant drop in the tourist footfall, disrupting the local economy. Despite the setback, Thakur and Vivek were determined to keep the region’s tourism industry alive by providing an alternative snow experience. They installed machines that created artificial snow at selected locations along the Manali-Leh highway, especially opposite to the Atal Tunnel.
Amit Thakur, while explaining the process for creating artificial snow, said that the machines used a combination of water and air to produce tiny ice particles that resemble real snowflakes. “The machines are equipped with high-pressure pumps and nozzles that atomise water into fine droplets. These droplets freeze in the cold air, forming a snow-like effect when they fall to the ground. This innovative technique helps replicate the experience of snowfall, offering visitors a chance to enjoy the beauty of snow even without the natural weather conditions,” he added.
Amit said, “The snow is not just for aesthetic purposes, it is designed to give tourists a taste of winter and offer a panoramic view of nature.” He added that tourism stakeholders across Kullu-Manali and Lahaul-Spiti had been eagerly awaiting natural snowfall, which they hoped would givea boost to the struggling tourism industry.
Tourism operators in the region said that these artificial snow installations attracted tourists during the dry period. Local businesses, dependent on winter tourism, said that the efforts of Thakur and Vivek provided the much-needed impetus to keep the tourism industry afloat and offered respite to visitors looking for a snowy escape.
