Skiing in India
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| union = Indian Mountaineering Foundation
| country = India
| sport = Skiing
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Skiing in India is centered in the northern states of India, where the Himalayas are situated. Skiing is administered by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation in India. The Himalayas provide an excellent skiing experience owing to their great height which allows long descents. Heliskiing is also gaining popularity in places like Manali GulmargandDrass.{{Cite web|url=http://www.powderhounds.com/Other/India.aspx|title = Ski India | India Ski Tours | Heli Skiing India}} However, skiing in India suffers from lack of infrastructure. The security concerns near the Line of Control have reduced since 2002, which has led to an increase in skiing activity in the region.{{Cite web|url=http://www.powderhounds.com/Other/India.aspx|title = Ski India | India Ski Tours | Heli Skiing India}} Some of the most popular skiing locations in India are Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir,Drass in Ladakh Union Territoryand Solang in Himachal Pradesh and Auli in Uttarakhand. The skiing season in India is from January to March.
List of skiing destinations
File:... Auli (7752049238).jpg
Skiing destinationsVats, Aditya (2023) [https://books.google.com/books?id=MCOwEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA127 The Garhwal Diaries] Blue Rose Pub. p127,128Hudson, Simon (2012) [https://books.google.com/books?id=y89Bcof_8oIC&pg=PA98 Sport and Adventure Tourism] Taylor & Francis {{ISBN|9781136393914}} p98
in India are mostly in the Himalayas and are listed here by state (North-West to South-East):
- Manali, heli-skiing offered in Hanuman Tibba, Rohtang Pass, Deo Tibba and Chanderkhani Pass.{{cite web |url=http://www.incredibleindia.org/newsite/cms_page.asp?pageid=828 |title=Incredible India |access-date=2014-04-08 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223212123/http://www.incredibleindia.org/newsite/cms_page.asp?pageid=828 |archive-date=2012-02-23 }}
- Kufri
- Narkanda
- Solang Valley (Ropeway available)
- Chamba{{cite web |url=http://www.itopc.org/discover-india/hills-holidays/chamba.html |title=Chamba India Tourism, Chamba India Travel, Tour to Chamba India, Places to see in Chamba Himachal Pradesh - Indian Tour Operators |access-date=2014-04-08 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904094344/http://www.itopc.org/discover-india/hills-holidays/chamba.html |archive-date=2012-09-04 }}
- Shoja
- Triund
- Fagu
- Auli, ropeway from Joshimath{{Cite web |url=http://india.mapsofindia.com/culture/sports/skiing.html |title=Skiing in India, Skiing Holidays in India, History of Skiing, Skiing Vacations in India |access-date=8 April 2014 |archive-date=26 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726115412/http://india.mapsofindia.com/culture/sports/skiing.html |url-status=dead }}
- Munsiyari
- Dayara Bugyal, near Uttarkashi
- Mundali, in Garhwal district
- Ski India, DLF Mall of India (indoor)[https://www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/ski-india-delhi/ Ski India]
;Sikkim:
Skiing in Manali
Though Europeans were skiing on slopes of Manali for years, it was Darjeeling's Wangdi Sherpa's small skiing school at Vashisht village which started giving lessons on skiing to local residents. Simultaneously Western Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (WHMI) (now ABVIMAS) started its courses in skiing and mountaineering in 1961. Winter Sports Club of Manali was founded by some local skiing enthusiasts in 1978 which instilled spirit of skiing in other youths of the region. In 1984, Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI) was formed by a group of visionaries and adventure loving individuals. When Solang ski slopes were not developed, competitions were organized at Rohtang pass in summer months.{{Cite web|url=http://discoverkullumanali.in/glorious-history-of-skiing-in-manali-journey-from-homemade-wooden-skis-to-olympic/|title = Glorious history of skiing in Manali - Journey from homemade wooden skis to Olympic|date = 13 February 2019}}
Indian skiers
- Jeremy Bujakowski was the first Indian at the Winter Olympics, and represented India in skiing in the 1964 and 1968 Winter Olympics.{{cite web |last1=Pal |first1=Sanchari |title=The Forgotten Story of Jerry Bujakowski, The First Indian at The Winter Olympics |url=https://thebetterindia.com/127370/jerry-bujakowski-first-indian-winter-olympics/ |website=The Better India |access-date=2 April 2025 |date=10 January 2018}}{{cite web |title=Olympedia – Jeremy Bujakowski |url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/84457 |website=www.olympedia.org |access-date=2 April 2025}}
- Aanchal Thakur won bronze in the Alpine Ejder 3200 Cup organised by the Federation Internationale de Ski. This was India's first international medal in skiing.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/aanchal-thakur-gives-india-its-1st-international-medal-in-skiing/articleshow/62438226.cms|title = India skiing: Aanchal Thakur gives India its 1st international medal in skiing | More sports News - Times of India|website = The Times of India}}
- Arif Khan represented the country in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and has qualified for the 2026 Olympics as well.{{cite news |title=He grew up amid ‘gunfights and bombs’. Now he’s headed to second straight Olympics: Arif Khan’s journey from Valley to Italy |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/gulmarg-arif-khan-qualifies-alpine-skiing-italy-2026-winter-games-9912536/ |access-date=2 April 2025 |work=The Indian Express |date=29 March 2025 |language=en}} He is the first Indian to secure qualification in two events of the same edition of the Games.{{cite news |title=Winter Olympics opening ceremony: Lone Indian athlete Arif Khan carries the tricolour |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/india-moment-at-winter-olympics-opening-skier-arif-khan-leads-contingent-out-7757167/ |access-date=2 April 2025 |work=The Indian Express |date=4 February 2022 |language=en}}
Skiing institute in India
There are many institutes in India conducting vocational courses in Skiing. Some major institutes are,
- Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports: Basic skiing & Intermediate skiing courses.{{Cite web|url=https://theghumakkads.in/review-of-basic-skiing-course-at-jawahar-institute-of-mountaineering-and-winter-sports/|title = Review: Basic Skiing Course at JIM & WS- Ski Out Your Heart|date = 12 May 2020}}
- Nehru Institute of Mountaineering{{Cite web|url=https://www.nimindia.net/skiing-course|title = Skiing Course}}
- Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering{{cite web |url=http://www.iismgulmarg.in/ |title=Home |website=iismgulmarg.in}}
See also
References
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