Skiing Destinations in India: Auli
Auli, 16 km from Joshimath, is a popular winter resort run by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) offering  good skiing conditions. There are many slopes, which provide excellent opportunities for cross-country, slalom and snow-hill skiing events.
GMVN has snow-beaters and other sophisticated machinery to keep the slopes fit for skiing. A ropeway from Joshimath connects Auli in 15 minutes flat, saving much time and energy of the skiers. Auli also has the distinction of celebrating the National Winter Games Championships every year in the month of February/March. You are advised to take enough warm clothing, dark glasses and heavy boots. Pithoragarh in the Kumaon hill is another site being developed as a ski resort.
Skiing Destinations in India: 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.
 Himachal Pradesh
The Shimla, Narkanda, Kullu-Manali, Chamba, Kuper and Pabber areas in Himachal Pradesh have several ski slopes, which are attracting a growing number of enterprising winter sports enthusiasts. Comfortable ski lodges, lifts, trained instructors, and ski runs to suit all levels have been provided at most of these ski resorts in the state. Serious international cognoscenti rate the runs between Solang Nallah and Pathru worth any good skier's time and money. Heli-skiing facilities are available at Hanuman Tibba, Rohtang Pass, Deo Tibba and Chanderkhani Pass near Manali.
Skiing Events in India
Auli and Solang Valley near Manali organizes National Winter Sports Championship in the month of February/March every year. Skiers from all over the country come to these places to participate in this challenging sport held under the auspices of the Indian Olympic Association and state bodies. |
