“Shimla and its nearby tourist spots have been receiving heavy snowfall since last (Tuesday) night. This is the first significant snowfall of the season in Shimla,” Manmohan Singh, director of the meteorological office here, told IANS.

Shimla saw its first snowfall Jan 4, but it was only a mild spell.

It started to snow in Shimla at around midnight, much to the delight of those in the hospitality industry.

“We are now hopeful that the good spell of snow will attract the tourists back to the erstwhile summer capital of British India,” said D.P. Bhatia, general manager of Clarke’s Hotel.

The tourism industry in the state has been reeling under losses due to relatively high night temperatures and little snow this winter.

Manmohan Singh said Shimla’s commercial centre The Mall, the historic Ridge, the US Club and Jakhu hills received more than 15 centimetres of snowfall.

Nearby tourist spots like Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda and the ski slopes in Solang also experienced heavy snowfall Tuesday night.

However, other towns like Manali in Kullu district, Kasauli in Solan district and Dalhousie in Chamba district were still devoid of good snow.