As the heat fades out and the splatter from the monsoon recedes, the mountains are set to see a drop in the temperature along with the dreamy first snowfall of the season. You might believe that summer is the only best time for an adventure in the mountains, we are here to tell you otherwise! The snow-clad mountains offer a range of activities for a thrilling winter, making it a surreal and distinct experience for anyone who loves the mountains. This winter, try a new adventure sport, trek through snowy trails or maybe even spot some snow leopards!
Here is our guide to the best winter adventures for this year.
Skiing
What do you do on a mountain that is draped in thick layers of silky snow? You ski across it of course! One of the best things to do during winters is learning to ski. It provides the perfect conditions for beginners as well as advanced skiers, making it a desirable winter adventure sport. In India, Gulmarg and Auli have evolved as skiing hotspots over the years offering adventure seekers a new sport to build upon. The Basic Skiing Course introduces you to the fundamentals of skiing, allowing you to use the equipment and learn the basic techniques involved in skiing. If you have completed your basic course and are looking to come back for more, the Intermediate Skiing Course is what you would want to do! This progresses further into skiing techniques, helps improve your skills and also makes you a more efficient skier overall.
Spiti Winter Trail
If you have seen Spiti in the summers, you will be left wondering if someone flicked a wand over the dry mountains and draped them in snow when you visit in the winters! Spiti truly is a winter wonderland and with better accessibility, it can be reached during the winter months to witness the magic it has to offer. One might think there can’t possibly be much to it but Spiti will prove to surprise you beyond your expectations. To be driving across the region with snow everywhere and warm locals welcoming you at every step is a surreal experience for those of you who can brave the sub zero temperatures. Our Spiti Winter Homestay Trail is one of a kind, offering white washed landscapes by the day and maybe some Spitian folklore alongside a fire by the night! Isn’t that exciting! What better way to spend your winter than to be surrounded by snow and the comfort of piping hot local food at cozy homestays. The trail takes you through all of Spiti Valley’s main villages and monasteries, giving you a glimpse of the lives and culture of the locals. One cannot help but wonder how the locals here are surviving in such extreme climatic conditions but you will be surprised to see how well they have adapted to their surroundings and also have it in them to give back more to the community! If a winter adventure with a mix of local culture is what you are looking for, this trail hits the spot.
Snow Leopard Treks
Isn’t it always nice to spruce up your adventure with an added element of excitement? The snow leopard - also known as a mythical creature or ghost (?!) earns its reputation from its elusive nature and extremely rare sightings high up in the mountains. The Snow Leopard Treks take us into the remote corners of Ladakh and Spiti to spot this beauty, but also allows you to enjoy the winter landscapes these places have to offer. And they are jaw dropping to say the least! The landscapes of Ladakh and Spiti transform during the winter months and offer views that are beyond our imagination. The trail gives us the perfect opportunity to venture into the mountains with the help of local guides and experienced trackers who will help us trace the snow leopard. If you are a photographer, this trek is also an opportunity to capture the snow leopard in its natural habitat! (very few people are known to have managed to capture them on camera!). The best time for this trek is between January to March when the temperatures are perfect and snow leopards make their way to the lower part of the mountains in search of prey.
Off Season Treks
A winter adventure that is often overlooked is doing a trek during off season! Yes, that is correct, there are treks which are accessible even in the winters and offer a completely different experience if you are a sucker for snowy landscapes and biting cold. The best part? No crowds and clearer skies! The trails will be devoid of trekkers who usually throng the route during season time, giving you the feeling that you have made your way onto a cold and strikingly beautiful planet far away from Earth. Some treks like the Pangarchulla Trek and Goechala Winter Trek level up in terms of visuals during the winters and offer a unique experience which is so very different from that in peak season. For treks like Goechala, the summit rate is actually higher during winters than the peak season!
Winter Treks
Treks such as Chadar and Markha Valley winter trek are only possible during the winter months given that the Zanskar river and its tributaries only fully freeze between January to March, allowing trekkers to complete the trail. Trekking during the winter months is not for the faint hearted given the sub zero temperatures and difficult weather conditions that we may encounter. But for those of you who are prepared, you will be in for a treat and the adventurer in you will sure be pleased!
We hope this article is just what you needed to wake the mountain lover in you because winter is coming and we hope you are all set! If you wish to know more or have any further queries, our team is available to assist you.
