Shimla, Jan 5 (IANS): The picturesque tourist resort of Manali in Himachal Pradesh Thursday witnessed moderate snowfall, cheering up the hospitality sector with tourists beginning to pour in.

The hills overlooking Manali, like the Solang ski slopes, have been experiencing heavy snow since Wednesday evening, a weather official here said.

He said Manali town, which saw a low of minus 1 degrees Celsius Thursday, experienced nine centimetre of snow. This honeymooners' paradise last experienced snowfall Dec 10.

Likewise, Shimla and its nearby spots like Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda also saw moderate spells of snowfall.

Meanwhile, Shimla recorded the night temperature of 2.6 degrees Celsius, while it was minus 2.6 in Kalpa of Kinnaur district and 4.5 degrees in Dharamsala.

"The higher reaches in Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu, Shimla and Chamba districts have witnessed moderate to heavy snowfall during the past 24 hours (since Wednesday). Such conditions would continue till Saturday," the official added.

As news of the snow flashed across the plains, tourists started arriving at Shimla and Manali and nearby destinations.

Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corp General Manager Yogesh Behl said: "This weekend we are expecting a spike in tourist arrival."