Winter is coming and this means the mountains are going to be shimmering in thick layers of snow, making way for one of the best winter sports. Skiing! While this was often limited to the The Alps, skiing has picked up as an adventure sport over the past few years in the Indian Himalayas. Ski resorts in India now offer some of the best facilities and training for people who wish to spend their winter with a twist. Here are some of the best places you should be at if you are looking to ski this winter!
Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir
Gulmarg undoubtedly takes the cake as the best skiing destination in India with world-class facilities and top notch snow quality that facilitates a fun-filled skiing experience. As a destination, Gulmarg is also easily accessible by road and there are regular flights that fly into Srinagar. Gulmarg is a short drive from there.
It offers different slopes and gradients to accommodate both professionals and beginners, with six bunny slopes for beginners and higher slopes for professional skiers. On the lower slopes, Gulmarg is equipped with five world-class poma ski-lifts and also has one of the highest cable cars in the world, the Gulmarg Gondola. The Gondola travels a total distance of 2.7 km with an elevation of 1280 m, taking you to a skiing point at 3980 m. This point is almost the highest point of Mt.Apharwat.
Commonly referred to as ‘powder’ in the skiing community, Gulmarg’s snow is also soft and fluffy, which is ideal for skiers as opposed to wet snow which can lead to accidents. The ski resorts here also have the best safety standards and mechanisms in the country. The ski patrol here consists of highly trained specialists who are equipped for every possible contingency that may arise.
The destination also has you covered on the accommodation front with high end resorts and budget friendly ones to cater to everyone’s needs and requirements.
(Read, Gulmarg vs Auli: Which Is Better For Skiing)
Solang Valley, Himachal Pradesh
A short drive away from Manali, Solang Valley ranks as the second best skiing destination in India. Like Gulmarg, Solang is also easily accessible by road and the nearest airport is only 2 hours away. The snow quality here is also equally good when compared to Gulmarg and offers the perfect conditions for skiing. However, the infrastructure in Solang is limited. There is only one poma ski-lift which offers a vertical elevation of 500 m, taking you to a height of 3200 m at the top of Mt. Phatru.
Solang Valley also has limited options for accommodation. If you are planning for a skiing vacation in Solang and want a wide variety of stay options to choose from, staying in Manali could be an alternative.
Auli, Uttarakhand
While not comparable to Gulmarg or even Solang, Auli is the third best place for a skiing adventure in India. Don’t get me wrong, skiing in Auli offers some of the best views of Garhwal Himalayas that surround the region. However, there are a few limitations. Skiing in Auli is only possible for a limited period of time between mid-January to mid-February when the snow is in a perfect condition to facilitate the sport. Since Auli has south facing slopes, the direct sun makes the snow icy and not so ideal for skiing.
Infrastructure wise, Auli has one poma ski-lift which takes you to ski slopes that start at 3000 m. Rescue facilities here are limited with paramilitary forces providing most of the rescue support.
As a destination, Auli is a little bit more difficult to access. It is an 8 hour drive from Dehradun, which is also where the nearest airport is. Options for accommodation are also limited in this quaint town. However, Joshimath, which is just a few kilometers away, offers more if you wish to stay there for the duration of your ‘ski-cation’.
In spite of their limitations when compared to international skiing destinations, these places in India offer spectacular views and guarantee an adrenaline rush for all you adventure junkies out there. Now you know where you are headed for your next winter adventure this season!
