Over the weekend, the initial snowfall of the winter season covered the scenic Galiyat hills and neighboring mountain valleys, pulling in thousands of travelers from the plains who wanted to see the snowy views and take pictures with their relatives.
White snow covered the rooftops, trees, and slopes across Nathiagali, Ayubia, Dongagali, and Khanspur located in Abbottabad district, waking up the quiet hill stations. Kids played outside, groups took pictures, and guests posted photos of the views online.
Nathiagali saw a large number of local tourists after the Meteorological Department predicted snow. Lodges, inns, and private rentals stayed very full as people came in from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Nearby in Ayubia, relatives waited in lines for the well-known chairlift to see wide views of the white peaks.
Professor Dr Naveed Farooq, who teaches at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, stated while viewing the landscape with his relatives, "The chairlift ride at Ayubia takes tourists to a new height of thrill and excitement."
He mentioned that the scenery in Khanspur, Dongagali, and Bagnotar deeply impressed travelers, stating that the snow and chilly winds coming from Kashmir improved the trip.
Local residents also saw financial gains from the snow, as people running hotels, eateries, horse rentals, photography services, transport, and shops saw higher sales. Certain locals rented out extra rooms in their houses to travelers looking for cheaper places to stay.
Still, the large crowds brought back worries about high lodging fees and costly daily goods during the busy period.
Dr Naveed Farooq asked local officials to check hotel rates and store prices while making sure major visitor spots have enough parking space.
Manzoorul Haq, a former ambassador, stated that private lodges reportedly set room rates between Rs10,000 and Rs15,000 per night in Nathiagali, Naran-Kaghan, and Kalam, cautioning that unmonitored high pricing might turn away families on strict budgets.
