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Skiing in Uttarakhand

The premier skiing resort now is in Auli near Joshimath. You can contact local tour operators who offer excellent packages.

Skiing at Auli

Auli is a 8-9 hrs drive from Rishikesh. The scenic drive along the Ganga takes us to Devprayag, the ancient town at the beginning of the holy Ganga. We drive further along the Alaknanda to Joshimath and Auli passing through the famous confluence towns of Rudraprayag and Karanprayag. Auli is one of the best ski slopes in Asia with many high peaks such as Nanda Devi surrounding the slopes.

A treat for the avid skier, these breath-taking hills provide a run of 10-12 km stretch and have an added advantage of fresh powder snow. The vast open spaces of these hills are an ideal spot for skiing long distances, all round the year. Professional winter skiing in Garhwal is now conducted on the slopes of Auli.

The slopes of Auli which are kept perfect by GMVN with snow beaters, provide excellent skiing conditions. The 10-20 km of absolutely unspoilt and divine slopes provide an excellent opportunity to try, for seasonal skiers as well as cross country, slalom and downhill skiing events. Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), which is a Government undertaking provides state-of the art facilities which are amongst the best in the world.

General Information

Skiing at Pithoragarh in the Kumaon hills

Pithoragarh, famous for its natural scenic beauty and its spectacular temples serves as an excellent skiing spot. Set amidst the enchanting Kumaon hills it is often called 'miniature Kashmir'. Located at a height of 5412 m above sea level, in a very tiny valley it was a strategic place of the Chand Kings of Kumaon.

Other Skiing places in Garhwal

Other Skiing places in Kumaon

Skiing in Himachal Pradesh

Heli skiing is a new and expensive ski adventure. Participants are taken to high mountain tops or the ridges by the helicopter and dropped there. The skiers then ski down through the unknown route on the slopes. Skiers also choose their own slopes or terrain thus they need not waste time and energy in climbing up the slopes. The sport is immediately available in the area bound by the Hanuman Tibba, Rohtang Pass, Deo Tibba and Chanderkhani Pass near Manali. A major feature is the compactness of the Heli-skiing area. A sortie of ten minutes can carry the skiers to the top of a 14,000 foot high slope.

Skiing as a competitive sport is either racing or jumping with feet attached to runners, known as skies, over snow surfaces of varying angles. Skiing is divided into 2 main sections viz. Alpine and Nordic. Alpine skiing is racing down on steep prepared snow slopes one after the other and the fastest skier is the winner. The races are divided into 3 categories viz down hill, giant slalom and slalom. Nordic skiing includes cross country i.e. running over undulating surfaces and ski jumping from an elevation platform. The standard distance to be covered  varies from 5 km to 50 km. Different types of cross country are available around the world and so it has since included in the Olympics.

Himachal Pradesh lies among the Himalayan ranges of Dhauladhar, Great Himalaya, Shiwalik and Pir Panjal; of the western Himalaya, where most of its higher reaches remain under snow for a long time.Thus one can undertake the ski tour at any time to any height. 

There are very good slopes in Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur and Shimla areas, which have been surveyed by the government to develop them in a big way. Skiing in Himachal is a very old recreational activity which was introduced by British Army officers in 1930, when they explored the Kufri slopes about 12 km from Shimla on the Hindustan Tibet road. Another similar ski slopes in Laka and Triund above Dharamshala were explored during the same time. But the Triund area remained neglected till today having been away from capital Shimla. On the other hand Kufri slopes were developed and a regular winter sports club was founded and is still continuing where the enthusiasts flock during winter. The club has some ski equipments for hiring and providing basic instructions to the tourists.

Transport

Road

Local Transport Union and State Transport buses ply regularly to Joshimath from Rishikesh (253 km), Haridwar (277 km), Dehradun (298 km), and Delhi (500 kms). Auli is a further 16 km from Joshimath, and can be reached by road.

Rail

The nearest railhead is Haridwar.

Air

The nearest airport is Jolly Grant,  273 kms from Joshimath and 17 kms from Rishikesh.

Package Tours

GMVN conducts week-long, and two-weeks long skiing courses at Auli. Training is provided by qualified ski instructors. For reservations and more information, contact:

General Manager (Tourism),
Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam,
74/1, Rajpur Road, Dehradun - 248001,
Uttarakhand, India
Tel:  91-135-658817 / 654408
Fax:  91-135-654408

Asst. General Manager (Tourism),
Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam,
Kailash Gate, Muni-ki-Reti,
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
Tel:  249201
Fax:  01364-30372

Safety Tips while Skiing

Hypothermia

Prolonged exposure to cold winds and wet conditions can cause a lowering of the temperature of the body and this heat loss exceeds heat production. If the body temperature falls below ninety-two degrees Fahrenheit, the process is irreversible. Symptoms vary, but the most common are intense shivering, fatigue, numbness, poor coordination, impaired speech, weak pulse, blue lips, and irrational thought. The victim of hypothermia can be treated by keeping him/her warm by preventing any further loss of body heat. Which in effect means you must find a warm place, have dry clothing and add layers of insulation, get the victim into a pre-warmed sleeping bag, build a fire, surround him with warm bodies, and get him into a hot bath if possible. Do not give the victim any hot drinks to cure acute cases. The body reacts by opening the constricted vessels carrying cold blood in the arms and legs and this can prove critical for the victim.

AVALANCHES

Snow is very unpredictable. As long as it is on a plain, it seems completely harmless like a virginal blanket, but when on an incline it can play an altogether different role; it is alive due to the gravitational pull and hence all the more dangerous. Avalanche prediction is, at best, an inexact science. The reason for the unpredictability is the variables involved, the infinitely different forms that snow can assume on a limitless number of slopes under constantly changing systems of weather. Moreover due to the changeability of water in the snowpack, it becomes a crucial factor in snow assuming different forms constantly.

If you ski above or beyond the forest, you must assess snow safety. Most skiers have few hard facts by which to back up their conclusions in this potentially hazardous adventure activity.

It's best to remember that the best slopes for skiing are usually those that have the steepest slides with open bowls and couloirs twenty five to forty five degrees steep. High avalanche danger results from snowstorms where the snow falls more than an inch an hour resulting in more than twelve-inches total or with winds in excess of twenty miles an hour.  Dry snow followed by wetter, heavier snow  produces a poor bond which is also dangerous. Leeward slopes and cornices tend to be unstable. Slab avalanches cause most accidents. Usually avalanches that kill people are triggered by the skiers themselves. 80% of avalanches occur during or just after a storm.

Skiing Essentials

SKI BAGS

Very often one overlooks the basic necessities when going in for an activity that necessitates the proper gear. Bags for example for skis are often an overlooked and underrated necessity. It is not advisable to leave your skis exposed on your ski rack. If you're travelling by air then your skis could get damaged beyond repair. Get an oversize bag, big enough for a couple of pairs of skis and poles with a full-length, heavy zipper. Then pack in boots and ski clothes around your skis and poles until it is absolutely tight. Some skiers even bag their delicate high-performance poles separately within their ski bag before packing, to avoid any damage.

CLOTHES
Again selecting the right clothing is one of the most important aspects of skiing because it can make the difference between enjoyment and disappointment, embarrassment and comfort. Overdressing in fact is the most common mistake. It's not uncommon to see inexperienced skiers dressed unsuitably. Not only is it difficult to ski when overdressed, it guarantees an immediate overheating of your engine and a sloshing sweat bath.

The secret is to wear your skiing clothes in layers so you can tailor your dress to the needs of the moment according to the demands of exertion and weather. Aim for several layers of lighter items. These different layers trap the warmth of your body and enables you to remove a layer or two to allow heat and moisture to escape. When you rest for an extended period and start to cool down, all you have to do is put on extra layers. Your clothing should fit your body without it being uncomfortably tight affecting the blood supply to your extremities. It should be designed to allow freedom of movement. It should be of breathable material so your body moisture can escape, but tightly woven so water and snow will roll off and wind will be cut. Check that your clothing covers the critical freezing points: head, neck, wrists, waist, ankles. And above all, adjust it immediately if you're too hot or cold.

FEET
Cold feet are a common complaint among skiers. Don't dress for skiing hours before you're on the trail,  because then your socks are already soaked with sweat. Ensure that the layers are right for the feet. A poly liner sock covered with a medium-weight insulative sock and finally for ultimate warmth, a good pair of overboots which are easily available.

HANDS
Gloves are necessary not only for warmth but to protect your hands from the chafing of pole straps. Make sure they are well reinforced between thumb and forefinger, or they'll quickly wear through. Nylon mitts with a synthetic pile lining work well in cold. In case your hands do get cold, windmill one arm at a time to push blood to your fingertips. Always try to ensure that blood is pumped to your extremities. Stay with it until your fingers tingle or until you're airborne.

HEAD
Your head is able to radiate up to 75 percent of the total amount of body heat lost. A lightweight hat with a headband is the best choice for almost all touring. A small and neat pair of earmuffs  would also be very handy.

FACE & EYES

It is important to shield your eyes and face from the chilly winds which can really cut like a knife. One could use wraparound visors with a Velcro band that sticks to your hat or oversized sunglasses, which are padded and ventilated against fogging. For the rest of the head, try a traditional helmet.

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