Galiyat’s first snowfall of the current winter season has drawn large numbers of tourists to Nathiagali, Ayubia, Dongagali and Khanspur, with snow-covered hills and pine forests turning the region into a major weekend attraction.
The snowfall occurred over the weekend, with authorities reporting around six inches of snow in parts of Galiyat. Temperatures fell below freezing in upper areas, prompting snow-clearing and traffic-management operations.
Tourists Rush to Galiyat
Thousands of visitors travelled toward the hill stations following the snowfall.
Nathiagali saw a particularly large tourist influx, while hotels, guesthouses and other accommodation facilities reported heavy occupancy.
Ayubia also attracted families looking to experience the snow and use its chairlift, which offers views across the surrounding mountains.
Which Areas Received Snow?
Snow covered several popular destinations, including:
- Nathiagali
- Ayubia
- Dongagali
- Khanspur
- surrounding upper Abbottabad areas.
The Galiyat Development Authority reported roughly six inches of snowfall in some locations following the first spell of the season.
Roads Reopened After Snow Clearance
Snowfall and hail initially disrupted travel on some routes.
Authorities subsequently reopened key roads including sections connecting Baragali, Dunga Gali and Changla Gali, while crews continued using salt to reduce the danger from ice.
Drivers should not assume that a cleared road is completely free of ice.
Shaded and elevated stretches can remain slippery even after snow has been removed.
Travel Advice for Galiyat
Tourists travelling toward Galiyat should:
- check road conditions before leaving;
- avoid unnecessary travel after dark;
- drive slowly on icy sections;
- keep warm clothing and emergency supplies;
- maintain adequate fuel; and
- follow local traffic-police instructions.
Traffic police have specifically advised tourists to confirm road clearance before travelling and to avoid heading toward hilly areas after sunset where conditions are uncertain.
Snowfall Boosts Local Tourism
The arrival of snow has also increased activity for businesses serving visitors.
Hotels, restaurants, shops, transport operators, photographers and other tourism-related businesses have reported increased demand as visitors arrived from different parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Some residents have also offered additional rooms to accommodate tourists during the busy period.
Concerns Over Hotel Prices
The tourist rush has renewed complaints about accommodation costs.
Reports cited claims that some private hotels were charging around Rs10,000 to Rs15,000 per room per night in popular northern tourist areas.
These are reported market complaints rather than an officially regulated Galiyat-wide room rate.
Visitors should therefore confirm prices and reservations before travelling.
Is This Galiyat’s First Snowfall of 2026?
It is more accurate to call this the first snowfall of the current winter season in Galiyat.
The region received snowfall earlier in calendar year 2026 during the previous winter, so simply describing it as the “first snowfall of 2026” would be misleading.
Galiyat’s first snowfall of the new winter season has brought large crowds back to Nathiagali, Ayubia and surrounding destinations.
While cleared roads have improved access, freezing temperatures and icy patches can still make driving hazardous.
Anyone planning a visit should check road conditions, accommodation availability and local advisories before travelling.
