Skiing

What is Skiing ?

Don't stay happy making snowballs and lobbing them at unsuspecting folks when you holiday in snow-covered spots. Be adventurous. Put on a pair of skiis and race across the snow, delighting in the sense of freedom the sport offers you. Take the necessary lessons from your instructor and get ready for some action. Recreational skiing is all about going down snow-covered slopes for the sheer joy of it. Competitive skiing, with Nordic, Alpine, Free style races and other events, calls for special skills and specialised equipment.

Where to go ?

In India, Auli in Uttaranchal is a popular winter resort run by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN). It hosts the National Winter Games Championships every year in February/March. There are many slopes here which provide excellent opportunities for cross-country, slalom and snow-hill skiing events. A ropeway from Joshimath connects Auli in 15 minutes flat, saving skiers much time and energy. Gulmarg in Jammu & Kashmir, Manali in Kulluand Narkanda in Shimla in Himachal Pradesh are the other hot spots. Pithoragarh in the Kumaon hills in Uttaranchal is also emerging as a popular skiing destination.

What you need to know ?

IAll that is required to pursue skiing as a recreational sport is good health. Operators offer international standard equipment and facilities. Most of them have short term and long-term packages to suit amateurs and professionals. Instructors' fee is either part of the package or charged separately. The ideal time to go on a skiing holiday is between December and May. Skiing enthusiasts can contact institutes of skiing such as the Directorate of Mountaineering & Allied Sports in Manali
(Ph: 01902 252342/ 253789/252137. Fax: 01902 253509), or the Skiing Division, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, Rishikesh (Ph: 0135 2431783/2431793).

What you must carry ?

The operator usually provides equipment such as skis, bindings and poles. Accessories include a ski parka and pants, thermal wear, woollen jersey, ski gloves and mittens, helmet, woollen socks, woollen scarf, gaiters, goggles. Carry plenty of sun protection cream.

Skiing : Hotspots

Skiing : Do's and Don'ts