Kinnaur Takes Off: Helicopter Service Brings Winter Tourism Within Reach

Kinnaur is stepping into a new era of tourism and connectivity. On Monday, Reckong Peo witnessed the successful trial run of a Heli-Taxi service — a development that could change the way people experience Himachal’s high-altitude winters.

For decades, the district’s fragile terrain, unpredictable weather, and limited transport links kept it isolated, especially in the colder months. But now, what was once an exhausting eight-hour road journey from Shimla can be completed in just 30 to 40 minutes by air.

This breakthrough comes at a time when snowfall is becoming rare in Shimla and other lower regions. Kinnaur, with its naturally snowy winters, rugged valleys, and dramatic landscapes, is perfectly poised to emerge as Himachal’s next big winter tourism hub.

Local stakeholders are optimistic. Destinations like Sangla, Kalpa, Chitkul, Nako, and Ropa Valley — often cut off during harsh winters — could finally welcome visitors year-round. The ripple effects are expected to boost homestays, hotels, adventure tourism, and even local crafts and artisan markets.

Officials are also exploring regular sorties under the Tribal Sub-Plan and integrating the service with emergency systems, including heli-ambulance facilities, to maximize its impact.

With this successful trial, Kinnaur may finally unlock the winter tourism potential it has always held but never fully accessed. The district is ready to soar — quite literally.