Winter in India means snowfall in the northern hill stations of the country. Whether it’s the Solang Valley of Manali, the Yumthang Valley of Sikkim, or the hill stations of Auli, Kufri, Gulmarg and Pahalgam, skiing and snowboarding in India is made possible thanks to the majestic Himalayas. Skiing season typically lasts from January to March, when the weather has had enough time to lay down knee-deep powder. Official statistics on how many Indians ski are hard to come by, but as more people take to winter sports and inject some adventure into their lives, ski schools are receiving many more people every year who are keen to learn.
Outlook Traveller spoke to Farhat Naik, a national-level snowboarder and coach based in Gulmarg, about his top tips for planning a ski trip, how to be safe on the slopes and the best destinations for winter sports. Naik started skiing during his school days through a government-sponsored youth program and became a qualified snowboarding coach in 2008 with Ski Himalayas.
Whenever you plan a skiing or snowboarding trip, you should check the weather forecast before heading to your destination. This also goes for hotel availability, as rooms are limited and are often fully booked during peak season.
If you are a first-time skier or snowboarder, packing warm clothes and the right gear is crucial to having a good time. You wouldn’t want to be caught out with inadequate clothes in freezing conditions. “You will just need to get your winter clothing jacket and trousers, a couple of inner thermal layers, warm socks, sunglasses, sunscreen, and warm waterproof gloves,” says Naik. “[If you’re heading to Gulmarg, there is] equipment you can rent out. Always book your guide or instructor in advance.”
Expert skiers can bring their own equipment and avalanche gear or book it in advance with their trainers and guides at the ski resort.
“Skiing and snowboarding on Gulmarg’s slopes are considered serious business because of its unlimited backcountry access and snow,” says Naik. Thus, one should follow the advisory of the ski patrol team no matter where they are and ask their advice to plan their skiing or snowboarding days accordingly. Naik also recommends hiring a local guide who knows the terrain well and carrying avalanche gear while skiing in the backcountry.
Located in the northern part of India, Gulmarg is famous globally for its breathtaking slopes and snowy vistas. Naik says that for expert backcountry skiers and snowboarders, there is no better place than this. “Some western skiers call it paradise for backcountry skiing and snowboarding. The terrain here is absolutely amazing, and one can do long skiing or snowboarding runs here while using gondolas,” he says.
In addition to this, Naik suggests Auli and Manali as places you can check out for skiing and snowboarding this winter. However, “Gulmarg stands on top because all the facilities are open here, and [the] other two destinations need to improve [the] basic infrastructure to attract advanced backcountry skiers,” he says.
For international destinations, Europe and the US are a no-brainer. Naik recommends choosing Alaska for snowboarding, a place he looks forward to going to himself.