 While it is common knowledge that the Himalayas are the world’s highest mountains, the vast variety of landscapes and local cultures takes most visitors by surprise. At some ski centers, the awesome size of the mountains that tower above the ski slopes is without parallel anywhere in the world. For the thrill of skiing amidst the highest mountains of the world, India offers the spectacular slopes of Auli in the central Himalayas. This site is situated at 10,000ft on the ancient and still popular pilgrim route to Badrinath in Garhwal, a mountainous province of India's largest and most populous state of Uttar Pradesh. The area is surrounded in Hindu myth and legend, and by Himalayan giants such as Mt. Nanda Devi (7816 m/25645 ft) - the world's third highest mountain.  The highest ski resort in the world, the resort at Auli is located right next to the Ski slope. Apart from downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding and sledging are also available here. During winters when there is guaranteed snow, this is a paradise for snow sports lovers. The ski- slopes of Auli are the second largest in Asia and have been compared with the best in the world by the Alpine Tourism Promotion Council, a pioneering governing body for Winter sports based at Saas Grund near Zurich. A team from the National Geographic Channel has filmed snow leopards, musk deer, wild boar, wild cats, snow cats, hyenas, jackals and foxes in the night. There are bright chances to watch any of these rare species inside the resort grounds at midnight when all doors and windows are shut.Heli Skiing The flight from Delhi to the Bhunter airstrip in the Indian himlayan stateof Himachal Pradesh is aboard a small aircraft, and will take apx. 2 hours. From the Bhunter airport in the picturesque Kulu valley, the road to Manali is dramatic. The valley floor rises in a series of steps. The mountain walls close -in, and through great rents in them we see the rockysnow-capped peaks of the central Himalayan Range. The Beas river flowing beside the road changes in character, its gentle murmur turning into a deep-throated roar. Huge cedar trees give the upper reaches of the valley a hint of menace. Manali, at the head of the valley, is a picturesque little town. It has plenty of interesting walks around and above it. Terraced paddy fields and gentle wooded slopes rise easily to a world of snow and ice at 12,000 ft. At the village of Old Manali we meet friendly village folk who seem untouched by the 20th century. Heli- skiing around Manali: The powder skiing at Manali is exceptional! Our location at approximately 34 N latitude, roughly equivalent to Los Angeles, gives us long days, and a variety of exposures allows us to ski both with or against the sun. The altitude allows much greater "back radiation" than other areas, which creates excellent re-crystallised powder. Manali is known for having one of the deepest snowpacks in the entire Himalaya, and due to our continental climate, snowfalls tend to be of low moisture content. As an added bonus, the potential is vast for terrific, springcorn-snow skiing!
The altitudes at which we ski vary depending on group fitness and ability, the interests of the group and the snow and weather conditions. This area has wonderful conditions at the same elevations as resorts in America and Europe, but the opportunity exists to ski on what is truly the roof of the world. Most skiing takes place between high valley floors around 2700metres and ridges at 4,300 metres, with vertical averaging between 900metres and 1200 metres. However, some of our most spectacular terrain is as high as 5000 metres. Please note that we do not require anyone to ski at these altitudes and our guides reserve the right to deny access to these higher altitude runs to anyone for any reason whatsoever. While the Manali region is generally blessed with excellent weather, the organizers (Himachal Heli Skiing) stress that they operate in a wilderness environment, and that our guests will be skiing in wilderness conditions. Most of the time, the skiing is very good, but conditions can change quickly, and you may encounter some difficult or poor skiing. Their guides will attempt to find the best snow possible, but you must be prepared to accept whatever Nature gives us! |
The vast terrain is well suited to strong, intermediate and expert skiers. Manali sits by the Beas river at an altitude of roughly 2000 metres, surrounded by beautiful deodar cedar forests and huge peaks soaring to more than 6000metres. Under certain conditions we can ski to the valley floor through massive Cedar forests, but most skiing takes place on long rolling ridgelines; through glades of birch and oak trees; down steep cirque bowls or on huge undulating glaciers. Both during and after storms the skiing in the trees is excellent.
