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
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Auli (Uttaranchal) |
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Narkand (Himachal) |
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Manali (Himachal) |
Skiing : Do's and Don'ts
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Dress in warm clothes. |
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Wear ski goggles. |
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Drink lots of water at high altitudes. |
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Don't take on challenging slopes without professional
guidance. |
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Don't eat snow. |
