With an increase in foreign tourist inflow and popularity of winter sports in India, lots of Indian hill stations are offering adventure sports like skiing and snowboarding. When with the advent of winters the Himalayan Mountain ranges turn into a white chilly snowy carpet, leisure travelers and adventure enthusiasts from all over the world pack their bags to make their ways to places surrounded by picturesque snowcapped Indian Himalayas. At the same time, the ski towns and ski training centres get ready to organize skiing activities and make these destinations ideal adventurous gateways of India. After all, India is the home to some of the highest ski slopes in the world and few of them are mentioned below.
Auli: this popular mountain retreat in the heart of Uttrakhand is a picture perfect destination to enjoy skiing. The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) in Auli offers several programmes for beginners and also rents out skiing gear and equipment. Its proximity to Delhi (a 12 hours drive) is one of the reasons for Auli’s growing popularity as a ski resort. A superb 20 km long slope is a perfect treat for adventure lovers. As temperature falls down considerably at night, one must pack heavy woolen garments while planning a vacation in Auli.
Solang Valley: a quick escape from the otherwise crowded Manali, Solang Valley is not only a quick retreat to a peaceful vacation, but also a popular destination for skiing along with snowboarding and sledging. It is located at a distance of 13kms from Manali between Solang Village and Beas Kund and offers panoramic views of the surrounding snow-clad Himalayas and picturesque glaciers. January to March is the best time to plan a trip to Solang Valley. During this period the Directorate of Mountaineering & Allied Sports in Manali organizes basic, advance and intermediate level skiing courses. Leisure travelers can walk through the stretches of walking trails and soak in the beauty of snow covered mountains.
Gulmarg: the valley of Kashmir is blessed with some of the exquisite beauties of nature. And in this beautiful heaven, rests another mini earth, Gulmarg, whose beauty especially during the winter months turns every traveler speechless. Gulmarg is a tiny village located at the western side of Himalayas and at a distance of about 50kms from Srinagar. Gulmarg is said to receive some of the heaviest snowfalls of the Himalayas and therefore serves as one of the best ski destinations of India. Experts as well as beginners both can hit the snow easily and spend quality time skiing and soaking in the beauty of nature. Lots of well- equipped hotels at Gulmarg are an added advantage to spend a vacation there.
