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Indian Himalayas
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Skiing in
Himalayas
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Skiing in Himalayas
| Major Sites
for Skiing in Himalayas |
Gulmarg,
Manali, Kufri, Narkanda, Auli |
| Best Season
for Skiing in Himalayas |
January to
March |
The hills of India have all the ingredients for
adventure packed with excitement and thrills and lots of unexplored valleys,
towering peaks and snow-capped mountains and glaciers. A splendid combination of
flora & fauna and vast tracts of virgin snow awaits you. there are few things
you have to keep in mind. Skiing is not just about putting on warm clothes and
head towards the snowy slopes with your skies. Himalayas is a region of extremes
and for trying out a sport like skiing in this region, always asks for certain
things that every skier should take into consideration. The basic skiing gear
that is counted for skiing is the flexibility of the clothing. The fabrics that
can keep the body's temperature balanced according to the outside climate.
Stretch fabrics have a more relaxed and versatile capacity, which is basically
required while skiing down a snowy mountain and doing extreme skiing.
Skiing in Gulmarg (Kashmir)
Gulmarg is known as Kashmir's premier upland
hill resort at the the altitude of 2, 730m and offers one of the largest and
best equipped winter sports opportunities in India. The snow conditions over
here remain excellent over here from the months of December to April in
Himalayan's Scenic beauty. Skiers can find all kind of modern facilities and
world class equipments for skiing in Gulmarg. Gulmarg is the ultimate beginner's
skiing resort in India Jammu & Kashmir State. One doesn't requite a heavy woolen
wardrobe - slacks or a Salwar Kameez will do fine. In Gulmarg one will also be
able to drift to one of the many Ski shops and hire skis, sticks and goggles.
Just find yourself a ski instructor and set off down a slope.
Skiing in Auli, Uttaranchal
In the summer, Auli is inviting but in
the winter it is irresistible with its snowy mountain slopes and
skiing facilities. Auli can be reached by road or ropeway from
Joshimath. It provides an excellent panoramic view of the giant
mountain peaks like Nanda Devi, Kamet and Dunagiri. From January to
March, the Auli slopes are usually covered with a thick carpet of
snow, about 3m deep. The stretch of 3-kms with a drop in elevation
of 500m is considered to be a very good skiing ground by
international standard. The background of lofty snow clad mountains
heightens the sprit of the skiers.
Auli offers a 180 panoramic view of Himalayan
peaks like the Nanda Devi (7,817m) Kamet (7,756m) Mana Parvat (7,273) and
Dunagiri (7,066m) seemingly only a snow ball thrown away. Seasonal skiers have a
clean stretch of 10.20-kms of absolutely virgin slopes to sport on. These slopes
provide excellent opportunities for cross country and downhill skiing events.
The large slopes of Garhwal and Kumaon covered with seasonal snow become an
ideal place for skiing in the winter months. With their wide open spaces above
the snowline, Garhwal and Kumaon offer yet another exciting possibility for the
skier - the ski touring amongst the majestic glaciers.
To attract attention, skiing festivals are also conducted at Auli.
These now include the national championships in the months of
February and March, organised by the Winter Games Federation Of
India. While skiing is the chief attraction at Auli, there are other
attraction like cable car rides and rope lifts, or spend the day
outdoors building snowmen, or having snowball fights.
Facilities For Skiers
The 500m ski-lift system, the longest cable car in Asia, or the
trolley, as it is known locally, connects Joshimath with Gorson,
above Auli. A short distance beyond Gorson lies the hill of Gorson
Top, which provides excellent mountain vistas and is on the 24-km
trek to kauri Pass. From Gorson, Auli's only chair lift travels to
the base lodge, which is a small building that marks the starting
point of all the ski runs.
An 800m long chair lift connects the lower slopes with upper slopes
in Auli, making it easy for skiers to zip up in moments. Once
reaching the ski start point they can ski down rapidly, while other
can walk down the snow-paths at leisure. There are two snow-beaters
imported from Germany, for beating the snow for skiing.
The slopes have been dressed and improved making them an ideal for
hosting skiing festivals and competitions of national and
international standards. Just the cable car ride is enough to
justify a trip to this winter resort, with the snow-covered valleys
below giving beautiful views of the Himalayas on all sides.
On the way to Auli there are various food-outlets private as well as
government run restaurants available.Tourists are advised to bring
woollen clothing's, cap, socks, dark glasses, gloves, mufflers,
pullovers, wind-proof jacket, gum/snow boots and a torch light in
their travel kit. These accessories are a must for the tourist,
keeping in mind the weather conditions of Auli, where the
temperature drops to as low as - 8C in winters, although it is
moderately cold in the summers.
GMVN has the entire skiing equipments required for skiing
activities, including the most modern alpine skis, Nordic skis,
gloves and goggles. The tourists who are interested in skiing may
bring the equipment of their choice with them. Skiing gear is also
available on hire. Medical facilities are available Joshimath, which
has well equipped hospitals and at Auli, where doctors are available
24 hours a day. However, participants are asked to bring their own
first aid kit, which include a balm, footpowder and OTC medicines to
take care of headaches, cols and sprains. In Auli, microwave
telephones, wireless sets and walkie-talkies are available as
communication.
Skiing Courses At Auli
While experienced skiers are likely to enjoy the slopes of Auli for
the excitement it offers of unexplored terrain and the spectacular
beauty of the surrounding Himalayas, for those who want to learn how
to ski there are numerous skiing facilities available at Auli.GMVN
conducts a 7-day as well as a 14-day skiing courses in the months of
January-March. The course participants are also provided that basic
ski equipment and lift facility, boarding and lodging.
available to the skiers are also available at competitive rates. One
thing that adventure lovers should keep in mind is that Auli's
season is short starting from January to March, so its better to pre
plan your ski trip to this snow skiing heaven.
Skiing
Tour in Himalayas
Duration: 07
Days
1. This
Seven Days
"(1) Skiing tour Shimla-Manali"
start from Delhi to Shimla after arrive at Delhi Airport. We
covering the skiing destinations of Northern Himalayas like Shimla,
Manali in the State of Himachal Pradesh and continuously go to
Dharamshala-McLeod Gunj, see Buddhist Temple over there after this
drive to Jammu and Jammu to Srinagar-Gulmarg (This is another Skiing
destination in the State of Jammu & Kashmir (You Fly from Jammu to
go to Srinagar or another option you can go there by a train or by
coach).
Day to
Day Itinerary
2.
This second, Seven Days
"(2) Skiing tour-Auli (Uttaranchal)"
start Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh - Joshimath - Auli - Haridwar -
Delhi Back. Haridwar is located in another Indian State of
Uttaranchal. And there is only one destination (for skiing) is Auli
which is located in Uttaranchal. Haridwar, Rishikesh, Joshinath is
the "Pilgrimage Destinations" based at Indian Holy River Ganges or
Ganga.
Day to Day
Itinerary
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