Time To Celebrate The Snow: Check Out These 7 Ski Destinations In India

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Time To Celebrate The Snow: Check Out These 7 Ski Destinations
In India
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As the mercury plummets and the latest weather forecast predicts fresh rounds of snow across the Indian mountains, a gleeful crowd from home and abroad goes traipsing upon the ethereal ski slopes. Heading off to the Swiss Alps or Val d’Isère in France might be the classic choice of many, but powder skiing in the Himalayas is getting increasingly popular among local and global tourists in love with winter sports. India is now home to a dozen or so ski areas and plans are afoot to build several international standard ski resorts.

Skiing took off in the country during the days of the British Raj when two army officers first started the Ski Club of India in Gulmarg back in 1927. Fast-forward to 2014 and you will find improved facilities, along with the eternally breathtaking mountain views, the best powder snow and the vast, undulating snowy tracks – from gentle slopes and groomed trails to steep bowls, chutes and tree runs spilling off the magnificent ridges. Gulmarg in Jammu & Kashmir and Auli in Uttarakhand are the showpiece destinations, especially Auli, which features the second largest slopes in Asia. A research survey by the Alpine Tourism Promotion Council (ATPC) considers Auli’s slopes to be the best in the world.

Heli-skiing in the Himalays is another fabulous experience as the chopper flies one to spectacular heights and the skier rides down the unexplored slopes – the perfect setting for this great adventure sport. The thrill-hunters can also go yak skiing in Manali – an extreme snow sport only meant for the brave hearts. Those looking for off-season skiing would not be disappointed either. There is grass skiing in summer, held on a 120 meter-long grassy slope in Solang Valley where one can use special skis fitted with wheels. If you are already feeling excited and want to chill out among the snow, slopes and the wild slides and tumbles, here is a look at India’s 7 best skiing destinations.

Image: Wikipedia