Top 5 Places for Snowboarding & Skiing in India With Packages and Prices
Snowboarding isn’t really an entertainment activity that comes to the mind when talking about India. Nonetheless, there are some really beautiful, snow-covered places in North India where you can delight yourself with skiing & snowboard action. Mostly located in the northern region of India around Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. The rates and availability throughout the year vary highly across different providers.
1. Pahalgam
Snowboarding in Pahalgam is organized by Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports. The destination itself, located in Kashmir, is breath-taking and is a must-visit for nature lovers. Snowboarding activities start from 30th January and are open up till 8th February. Packages start from INR 7,500 per person and include stay, food, equipment, and instructor fees. You can reach Pahalgam by air, road, or railway.
2. Auli
Located in Uttarakhand on the Garhwal hills, Auli is popular for skiing and snowboarding. Organized by Auli Ski and Snowboard School (Trek the Himalayas), the all-inclusive 6-day package costs around INR 13,500 excluding taxes and is available from 28th January to 3rd March. Pickup is provided from Haridwar, which is only 37 Kms from Dehradun airport.
3. Solang
Famously called Solang Nala, the Solang Valley is 12 km from Manali, Himachal, and is a very popular Indian winter sports destination. Every winter, the ski festival organized by Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports offers snowboard enthusiasts a 1.5 km snow-filled stretch to satisfy their adventure itch. Available from 11thto 24th January, the package costs INR 8,400 per person and covers everything from stay to equipment. Groups of at least 15 people can get the package at a 50% discount. Single ski sessions start at INR 300 per person.
4. Narkanda
One of Himachal’s premiere snowboarding and skiing locations, Narkanda is known for its tranquil hills. Snowboarding is organized by HPTDC and International Youth and starts at INR 900. Packages start from INR 6,200 per person for 3 days and can go up to INR 29,000 for 14 days.
5. Gulmarg
Located in Kashmir and reachable by road from Srinagar, Gulmarg is one of the best places for snowboarding in Asia. Many service providers offer snowboarding activities, starting at INR 400. You can either book packages or choose to book your own hotels and rent snowboarding equipment separately. You can also enjoy one of Asia’s highest and longest cable cars while you are there.
Originally published at dailyjag.com on February 10, 2019.