A lot of adventure sports mimic the skills a certain organism might have. When we’re scuba diving, we’re mimicking the marine life; while paragliding we mimic our winged friends but there’s one sport that supersedes and transcends any and all capabilities that Life has created. There’s no other known being on this planet that can glide over fresh powder snow with such speed and skill that humans now can (with certain technicalities and equipment, of course!) It is no wonder then, that skiing is regarded with such love and ardour all around the world. There is perhaps nothing more exhilarating than cutting through the cold air, leaving showers of fresh snow behind with every inch you go further.
A competitive sport, a means of transportation, and a recreational activity- skiing is a sport that is all in one, and one of a kind! Skiers glide through snowcapped slopes using skis- a narrow strip of a material attached to the boots that help in cutting through the snow. Along with skis, skiing poles are also used to manoeuvre and steer the direction of a skier. Although skiing is primarily a winter sport, it can also be done indoors or outdoors in the grass.
The ‘Then and Now’
Skiing is one of the most dated adventure sport there is. Having almost a five millennia-old history, modern skiing as we know today is thanks to Scandinavia. Even the word ‘ski’ is etymologically derived from a Norwegian word. However, according to interpretations of ancient paintings, we find that skiing was used in what is now China, more than 100 centuries ago- way before Scandinavia developed it as a sport! The primary purpose of skiing during ancient times seems to have been for transportation, but it wasn’t until the mid 19th century that it became a full-fledged recreational sport!
Today, skiing is recognized as an Olympic sport and several worldwide competitive skiing events take place annually around the globe.
Skiing in India
Home to the mighty Himalayas where snow is a year-long affair, India has some of the best skiing sites in the world. From the verdant slopes in Kashmir to the pointy peaks of Uttarakhand, India has something to offer to every kind of skier- beginner or professional, recreational or competitive. Here are Ever Outdoor’s top four places for skiing in India where it is as close to Jannat as it gets!
Best Places for Skiing in India
Gulmarg
Auli
Solang Valley
Yumthang Valley
Best Time to Go Skiing in India
As is apparent, one cannot ski without snow! The Himalayas in India receive ample snowfall in the winter months especially from December to February. With what once used to be lush green meadows and deep forests are all blanketed with a thick layering of what seems to be white frosting, making the conditions just about perfect for gliding and manoeuvring through the snow. Thus, the best time for ice skiing in India would be from January to March in most ski India destinations.
Skiing Courses and Certifications
Most mountaineering institutions also offer several skiing courses in India. The Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) or the International Ski Federation is the world’s highest governing body for skiing. There are usually up to 8 levels of skiing recognized internationally, with each level increasing with difficulty. Some of the most famous skiing institutions in India include Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering in Gulmarg Auli Skiing in Auli, The Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports in Pahalgam and Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure & Eco-Tourism in Sikkim.
Skiing Career Options
Some of the most common career options for skiing include professional competitive skier and ski instructors. But apart from these, there are a host of other alternative career options one could choose from, include journalism, event management, ski photographer and even giving a shot at the influencer marketing industry with companies like GoPro.