
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