Skiing in India

If you long to feel chilly wind whistle past when gliding down acres of pristine white, in a landscape that showcases the beauty of the Himalayas, here’s a peek into a few wonderful skiing locations in India. So why not combine that trip back home with a holiday and enjoy some fun on slopes where the beauty of the surrounds compliments this exciting and somewhat exhausting sport. These resorts may lack the sophisticated modernity of the Alps, but this is an essential part of their charm. And the skiing experience is simply heavenly, whether you’re an afficionado or simply aspiring to be one.

Glorious Gulmarg

Set in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Gulmarg has been popular since the days of the British Raj, and not just as a cool getaway from the summers of the south. Skiing in Gulmarg is a heady experience thanks to its pristine slopes, very reasonable costs and of course, now that the French firm of Pomagalski has just completed the world’s highest Gondola lift, its charm is irresistible to the serious skier.

The main ski season starts in January and ends in mid-April but it is possible to ski from the beginning of December to the end of May in certain sections. There are no manmade runs, no trees have been cut or pistes gouged out of rock. It is simply nature at its undressed best, with man challenging the elements. However, Gulmarg’s twenty strong ski patrol is trained to be adept at powder skiing, first aid and avalanche rescue.

Amazing Auli

Set in Uttarakhand at an altitude of 2915 mts-3049 mts, this pristine locale is no longer a well-hidden secret from the skiing fraternity. International skiers have been known to find it irresistible, as its untamed slopes and chilly beauty pose a challenge to their skills. Auli has recently come into the spotlight as a tourist destination, after the creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state. A journey to Auli’s slopes has something for everyone, from novice skiers to professionals, and for those simply sightseeing or trekking, unpredictable at times.

Auli can be reached by flying into Dehradun, and driving up to the resort. The nearest international airport is in Delhi.

Natural Narkanda

Narkanda enjoys the honour as one of India’s oldest ski resorts, being located at an altitude of about 2,708 meters (9,000 trekking can take you exploring a range of lakes and temples, in this spectacular gem hidden in the heart of the Himachal. Narkhanda offers a fascinating view of the Himalayan snow ranges and its verdant green forests are stunningly beautiful.

Kufri hideaway

Located about 92 kms from Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, this enchanting little hillstation was discovered in 1854. It has a Himalayan nature park and offers a range of skiing, hiking and trekking activities. Kufri’s slopes attract tobogganing and skiing enthusiasts, as the range includes a beginner’s run, an advanced slope and slalom run. Himachal Tourism offers ski courses, instruction and has equipment on hire at Kufri. Just above Kufri sits the Mahasu ridge, which also has some good slopes. The skiing season is between November to February, which is also peak tourist season.

Kufri is just 19 kms away from Shimla, which has rail and airport access as well. To get to Kufri, one has to hire taxis or take a bus.

The secret of Solang Nala

absolutely breathtaking.

The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (GMVNL) run by the government is responsible for maintaining this resort and they do a good job. Auli also has Asia’s longest cable car running a span of 4 kms, in addition to a chair lift and skil lift.

The best time to ski at Auli is from the end of January till the beginning of March, although the weather can be quite capped corner is via the National Highway 22, as it sits 64 kms from Shimla. Buses and taxis can get you there too, but the nearest railway station or airport is at Shimla.

In the winter months from January to early March the ski slopes offer enticing sport, but this location isn’t as popular with international skiers, simply because it still remains largely unknown within the international skiing fraternity. However,

This valley sits at the top of the Kulu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, 14 km northwest of the resort town of Manali on the way to Rohtang Pass. It is wellknown for this summer and winter sports, including parachuting, paragliding, skating and zorbing. Ski agencies offering courses and equipment operate only during the winter season, and the slopes are a skier’s delight. The best time to visit Solang Nala is from early-December to end-March.

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An exciting obsession

At 24, Roshan Sidhu already has about 16 years of skiing experience under his belt, so manoeuvring curves and navigating his way down blue and black runs is a cakewalk. “I was lucky that my parents were active with us when we were younger, and encouraged a balance between studies and our hobbies. We were always doing something in the school holidays, and skiing was one of those activities,” he says.

A hobby gradually turning into an obsession is not unheard of, and Roshan has experienced this first-hand. “At one stage, going to the mountains was all I cared for once the weather started getting cold. Often, at my persistence, our family would take a winter holiday during our summer holidays, and we would go skiing in Europe,” he recounts.

A youthful passion

Brothers Rishi and Hritik Chaubal are at a stage of life where talent and motivation can be harnessed to achieve bigger, more spectacular things. Although their mum Manisha is not much of a skier herself, she does understand the passion her children have for the sport, especially Rishi. “I find the whole thing very cumbersome, however my kids Rishi and Hritik love it,” she says candidly.

The brothers plan to attend 4 full-day lessons this winter. Rishi, the older brother is already a very proficient skier and is getting better by the day. He plans to ski in New Zealand, Switzerland and Canada. And, when he is ready to compete, in Japan. Manisha recalls the first time Rishi went to ski saying, “He sounded homesick on the phone, so I packed my bags to be with him. By the second trip he had come into his own.”

Like all skiers, the boys have seen some falls and blizzards, but their spirits have not been dampened a bit. “Once Rishi was caught in a blizzard and he was happily singing away on the phone. At this age, you have little fear. And he came out safe and sound, albeit without his phone!” recounts Manisha.

The general safety standards across the ski ranges, particularly for children, are very good, Manisha adds, which means parents need not overtly worry about their children in the snow.

The affable Rishi has been a strong motivation for his younger brother Hritik, who’s beginning to show a keen interest in the sport. “I am only too happy to accompany them to Mt. Bulla, their favourite ski playground,” says Manisha.

Learning the hard way

Payal Sharma, a 26-year old snowboarder can’t stop raving about her “seasonal hobby” despite having initial reservations about the sport. “The first time I tried it was with my friends. They had all been skiing or boarding since they were in high school. I had never done anything to do with winter sports before, never done anything so thrilling,” she says with palpable enthusiasm. “We go all the way to Perisher just to ski. The weather is beautiful, the skiing is fantastic; it’s paradise, just unbelievable!” she adds.

Like most other novice snowboarders, she “jumped into the sport” thinking it would be an easy learn. It took the first half day on a green run and a bruised body before she decided to heed to the advice of friends and get a private lesson for a “better sense of balance.”

All in it together

Like many first generation migrants from the subcontinent, it was in Australia that Kalpesh Gandhi saw snow for the first time, and there was no looking back from there. It didn’t take him long to get into skiing, initially relying upon the advice of friends, but gradually picking up the nuances of the sport by himself.

Kalpesh and his family have been regular visitors to Thredbo. “The first time our kids went there, they had a mountain of an experience!” he says.

Kalpesh stresses the importance of formal training. “It’s easier for children to adapt and learn, and they can improvise better than us. But still, some basic training is very important and these lessons help correct your ways. Things such as control and spin only come after a lot of practice,” he adds.

He points out that Indians tend to come and play in the snow and go back home, but not too many hang around to try skiing. “I understand those used to temperate climate may have some reservations about the sport, but the ski suit keeps you warm and there is no reason why one should not give skiing a shot,” says Kalpesh.

The family enjoy skiing in a group. “We fall, giggle and laugh at one another all the time,” he says. “You tend to lose confidence if you keep falling again and again, perhaps the only flip side of ski falls which otherwise make for great dinnertime stories!”

Over the years Kalpesh and his family have had great moments on the snow. He recalls one such incident: “My wife, gliding down on the snow followed by her guide, tried to make a V-shaped snowplough to stop, but lost control and slammed straight into another skiier on the slope, triggering a comedy of errors in the form of a chain collision.”

Skiing for pleasure

Badal Bhatt saw snow for the first time when he went to New Zealand three years ago. He returned to Australia to visit the winter wonderland called Lake Mountain, and fell for the toboggan slopes. Now Badal is a regular skiier at Mt Hotham and Falls Creek.

“The costs are low at the beginning of the season, so we try to take advantage of this as skiing can be expensive, especially the sporting gear you hire and the accommodation,” he says.

One can manage by not staying on the resort, but somewhere in the valley. Badal is a beginner, but a resolute one – something that’s made him return to the sport despite spraining his ankle in his first season. However, he’s quick to point out that for someone like him, who skies for pleasure, not taking too many risks is probably the safer option.

Indulging in winter sports brings with it a myriad of issues like how to get to the snow, hire or buying the gear, the lessons and of course, the cost of the entire experience. However, if planned well and with enough forethought, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. This is a beautiful way of imparting life skills which expand knowledge and create stronger, more resilient children.

Ask any regular snow enthusiast and you will find that a fortnight on the slopes is more than enough for anyone regardless of competency and motor skills, to become reasonably good at gliding down the mountain. And, most importantly, it’s not only about advanced skiers lured in by the challenge of confronting an atypical terrain and threatening chasms, many come here simply for the slow smooth glides. So next year, hit the straps as soon as you adjust your clock for the onset of winter. Go, smell the snow!