For high mountain thrills perhaps nothing can surpass the magic of heli-skiing. Under a deep blue sky, you are carried by a helicopter to a snow-draped peak. And after that there is nothing except steadiely distancing whirr of rotor blades, the sky and the snow. It is a thrilling experience as you rapidly zoom down the slopes. The icy winds slaps your face and the swiftly slithering hiss of skies remindes you that you are racing away on your own steam.

The sport is available in the area bound by Hanuman Tibba, Rohtang Pass, Deo Tibba and Chanderkhani Pass near the resort town of Manali (Kullu). A major feature is the compactness of heli skiing area. A sortie of ten minutes can carry the skiers to the top of a 14000 feet high slope.

Himachal Pradesh: Skiing

Kufri, near Shimla is one of the oldest places in India to be associated with skiing and the slopes are still in use during winter. Above Kufri, the Mahasu ridge also has good slopes.

Comprehensive facilities exist at Narkanda, 64 km from Shimla. There is a range of slopes, including a beginer's run, an advanced slope and a slalom run. Himachal Tourism offers ski courses, instruction and has equipment on hire at Narkanda.

At Manali (Kullu), the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports offers a variety of courses and facilities for skiing are possible in the Solang area near Manali. There are also some companies in the private sector that offer ski courses and allied facilities.

Uttranchal : Snow Skiing

No matter where you are, if you are looking for the best ski slopes, come to Auli. And for those who yearn to learn, no other place matches Auli. It offers exciting skiing opportunities to both, the biginner as well as the advanced skier. Aside from a 3 km long slope (ranging from 2519m to 3049m), it offers a 1800 panoramic view of the peaks like the Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat and Dunagiri.

Tall stately Deodar forests flanking the slopes cut wind velocity to the minimum. The ideal time to be here is from January to March. And that is when GMVN conducts 7-day and 14-day courses (registration form and schedule attached) Training is imparted by skilled and qualified instructions from GMVN.