HOME WHO WE ARE OUR CAMPS THE KARMA CONTACT US


PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE

 
Name
Address
Adventure
Date(dd/mm/yyyy)
Contact No.
Email
Remarks

 
Skiing in Himachal, Skiing in Uttarakhand, India Skiing Tours

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 






 
  SNOW SKIING INFORMATION

Skiing is the activity of gliding over snow using skis (originally wooden planks, now usually made from fiberglass or related composites), with metal edges, strapped to the feet with ski bindings. Originally used primarily for transportation, skiing evolved into a popular recreational and competitive activity during the 20th century.

  Types of Snow

  • Powder: Light, fluffy snow, found during and immediately after a snowstorm. Skiing and snowboarding in deep powder snow is a favorite among skilled, experienced skiers and snowboarders; sometimes know as powderhounds.
  • Packed Powder: Packed Powder is powder snow that has been compressed, either by means of mechanical snow grooming apparatus or skier traffic.
  • Granular snow: Granular snow crystals are small pellets. Depending on sun and temperature conditions, it may be wet granular snow - meaning that there is a considerable amount of unfrozen water in it, or loose granular snow, which has no unfrozen water.
  • Corn snow: Corn snow is the result of repeated daily thaws and nightly re-freezing of the surface. Because of the thaw-refreeze cycle, snow crystal shapes change over time, producing crystal shapes somewhat akin to wet granular, but larger. True corn snow is a delight to ski or ride.
  • Ice: skiers and snowboarders typically regard any snow condition that is very hard as 'ice.' In fact, true ice conditions are comparatively rare. Much of what is perceived to be ice is actually a frozen granular condition.
  • Crust: Crusts are extremely challenging conditions. A crust condition exists when soft snow is covered by a harder upper layer upon the surface.
  • Spring Conditions: when numerous different surface types can be found on the mountain - usually in the later part of the season.

  Physical Requirements

All that is required for skiing is good health. To be on the safer side, you should not have any heart problem, high or low blood pressure, and should not be an expectant mother.

More than anything else, it is the state of mind at the time of indulging in skiing and your challenging spirit that is tested.

  Uttarakhand, An Eden of Skiing Lovers

Indian Himalayas has garnered the reputation of one of the most thrilling and sumptuous Skiing Adventure Sport destination not only among the Indians but also in avid Adventurers from other countries. Lets contemplate on the best Skiing destinations in India.

Uttaranchal Skiing Areas:

Dayara Bugyal :
Bugyals or High Altitude Meadows are Nature's splendid wonder. One among them Dayara Bugyal. Situated at an elevation of about 3048 m, Dayara Bugyal is second to none in natural beauty. During winter it provides excellent ski slopes over an area of 28 sq km. The panoramic view of the Himalayas from here is breathtaking. The road to Dayara Bugyal branches off near Bhatwari a place on Uttarkashi-Gangotri road about 28 km from Uttarkashi. Vehicles can go up to the village of Barsu from where one has to trek a distance of about 8 km to reach Dayara and other route is via village Raithal, 10 km from Bhatwari, from where one has to trek about 6 km.
Mundali : Situated in district Dehradun, 129 km from Dehradun via Chakrata. Mandali offers an unforgettable view of the snow capped Himalayas. The place has vast ski slopes on which professionals can enjoy skiing.

Auli :
If somebody is talking about the skiing in the India then if that doesn't mention Auli, It means that person is having very little knowledge about the Skiing in India. Auli is nestled in the lap of snow-capped peaks of Garhwal Himalayas, in the Chamoli district of Uttaranchal, near the world famous religious shrine of Badrinath. At an altitude of 2,500 to 3,050 m above sea level, Auli’s well-dressed slopes are flanked by coniferous and oak forests, which offer a panoramic view of mountains. Adding to the thrill of skiing is a 180 degree view of Himalayan peaks, which include Nanda Devi (7817 m), Kamet (7756 m), Mana Parvat (7273 m) and Dunagiri (7066 m), seemingly only snowballs throw away.

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.

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.

The conditions for skiing are perfect at Auli. A 500 m long ski-lift and an 800 m long chair-lift link the upper and lower slopes, and snow beaters and snow-packing machines maintain the smoothness of the slopes. Skiers can enjoy almost 20 km of virgin slopes, which provide excellent opportunities for cross-country, slalom and down-hill skiing events.
Munsiyari :
Munsyari is situated at a distance of 66 kms. from Jauljibi and 127 kms. from Pithoragarh via Thal. Munsyari is the center as well as the gateway of the Johar region. Munsyari is the base of treks to Milam, Namik and Ralam glaciers. Khalia Top and Betulidhar are two high altitude places that offer excellent conditions for skiing.
Other Places

In Garhwal, Kush Kalyan, Ruinsara Tal and Kedar Kantha in Distt. Uttarkashi. Panwali and Matya in Distt. Tehri Garhwal and Bedni Bugyal in Chamoli and Munsyari, Chiplakot Valley in Distt. Pithoragarh in Kumaon are well known potential skiing resorts where professionals can do skiing.


 
  Skiing in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir

Himachal Pradesh Skiing Areas:

Manali :
Manali in Himachal Pradesh is known mainly for heli-skiing. The area around the town, including Deo Tibba, Hanuman Tibba, Rohtang Pass and Chanderkhani Pass, is where heli-skiing takes place. Skiers are taken aboard a helicopter up to a height of close to 14,000 ft, where they can then get off the copter and ski downhill. Further out from Manali, good ski slopes exist at Solang, Solang Nallah, 10 km from Manali, also hosts an annual skiing tournament.
Kufri :

The ski resort which is perhaps the most easily accessible for anyone in northern India is Kufri. Just about 10 km from Shimla, Kufri’s a quiet little town which becomes a busy winter wonderland once the snow starts falling. British officers in the Indian Army discovered this beautiful little place way back in the 1930s, and a serendipitous discovery it was- for Kufri, within a few years, became one of the hottest winter resorts in Himachal. The 1950s and 60s, especially, were boom time for Kufri, although it’s now been overshadowed by classier resorts like Auli. The snow still falls in Kufri, however, and a skiing trip here can be pretty satisfying. The Mahasu Ridge, just above Kufri, has some good slopes which are worth a try.

Narkanda :
64 km from Shimla is one of India’s oldest ski resorts, Narkanda. Narkanda lies at an altitude of 8,100 ft, and is an important horticultural centre.The slopes at Narkanda run the gamut from beginner’s to advanced, from slalom to cross-country. Hattu Peak, 6 km from Narkanda, towers 2,000 ft above Narkanda and has  popular ski slopes.

Jammu & Kashmir Skiing Areas:

Gulmarg :

Gulmarg, situated in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, is another famous skiing resort frequented by the tourists. With the first fall of snow, the highlands are transformed into a glittering winter wonderland, the country’s premier arena for action-packed skiing. Gulmarg has slopes varying between 8,700 and 10,500 feet with some of the highest ski runs in India. Meant only for beginners, Gulmarg ski lifts and chair lifts provide basic utilitarian facilities with a simple link-up. Those who enjoy the exhilaration of heights will therefore have to make their own way up. Nevertheless, what is of a particularly high quality is Gulmarg’s ski-shop with professional equipments that are imported from Australia and France. Facilities are also being provided for skiing at Pahalgam and work on an institute of mountaineering and winter sports is already underway. At Gulmarg, the ski-slopes are being extended for the ambitious skiers. Heli-skiing too is being introduced.

   
 



River Rafting || Rock Climbing || Paragliding || Wild Life || Trekking || Mountain Expeditions || Skiing ||                                               Site Map