Chilled Served

Where can I ski in India?
Gulmarg, 50 km from Srinagar, has some of the best skiing slopes in the country. The same holds for Manali, where the snowpacks are among the deepest in the entire Himalayas.

The former is in its winter sports element from December to April, and has modern facilities such as T bars, ski lifts, chair cars and ropeways.

Gulmarg has well-graded slopes that vary between 8,700 feet and 10,500 feet, making them the highest ski runs in the country. A few of these slopes are serviced by ski lifts. Most of the skiing in Gulmarg is centered on these slopes, which are especially suited for beginners and intermediate-level skiers, with ski runs ranging from 200 metres to 3,000 metres. Skilled skiing enthusiasts can hop on to the Gulmarg gondola cable car8212;a five-km ropeway that connects Gulmarg to the majestic Apparvat range8212;and then start swishing down the snow at a height of 9,000 feet.

Besides Gulmarg, the slopes around Manali, Garhwal and Kumaon, which are also covered with seasonal snow, are ideal for skiing. Another variation is ice skiing among the glaciers. Manali and Narkanda in Himachal Pradesh, Auli in Uttaranchal, and Gorsain in Garhwal offer good getaways for ice sport enthusiasts.

But what if I8217;m a confirmed novice?
No sweat. The J038;K Youth Sports and Services department has skiing instructors at their training school in Gulmarg. There are also some private trainers, mostly people from the neighbouring areas who, over a period of time, have evolved into expert skiers and coaches. In Himachal, you could enroll for a 14-day basic course at the High Altitude Trekking and Skiing Centre HATSC in Narkanda, about 70 km off Shimla. A clutch of private operators also provide familiarisation courses, but be prepared to shell out a premium.

Regulars will tell you that winter sports do come with their fair share of risks, which is why attending the beginners8217; courses is a wise move.

How much will all of this cost?
The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation offers special packages for ski buffs and the just curious. The Rs 6,900 deal includes return fare to Srinagar, boarding and food, besides the ski equipment and ski-lift facilities.

Himachal Tourism also offers ski courses, and has equipment on hire at Kufri at nominal charges. A three-day skiing trip will work out to Rs 1,500 per person, depending on the kind of accommodation.

Daily charges in Gulmarg for skiing instructors and the actual exercise can vary between Rs 200 and Rs 700.

Sounds good, but what else can I do?
A whole lot. If money is not an issue, and if you are confident of your abilities, try heli-skiing. A chopper deposits you at the top of a snow-capped peak, after which you ski down to a pre-decided location. The process is repeated as many times as possible8212;from one ski route to another.

The price is fancy8212;Rs 3 lakh for acco, six days of heli-accessed ski touring and return travel to Delhi. Most heli-skiing operators only enroll people with a minimum of two years intensive skiing experience.

There8217;s also sledging, mostly available in Gulmarg, where a flat board is taken up a hilltop8212;with you on it, of course8212;and allowed to slide downhill. Sledge rides are cheap and private operators offer rides for as little as Rs 60 to Rs 80 an hour.

Gulmarg and Pahalgam also offer tobogganing8212;where one coasts down snowy hillsides on a flat-bottomed vehicle made of hard wood8212;snow scooters, and ice-skating, while trekking types can go for snow treks in and around Manali. Per person charges are about Rs 3,100.