Heli Skiing in Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh has got enormous opportunities to explore for the adventure lovers, be it white water rafting, para gliding, rock climbing or mountaineering. But being nestled in the Himalayan mountain ranges, nothing can surpass the onset of winters covering its virgin peaks with white snow flakes. This is the season which sets a platform for one of the most daring winter sports i.e. Heli Skiing.

Manali is blessed with the slopes which are favourable for conducting Heli Skiing in Himachal Pradesh. There are various mesmerising slopes near Manali which are perfect for organising Heli Skiing like Deo Tibba, Hanuman Tibba, Chanderkhani and Rohtang Pass.

Heli Skiing is a sport in which skiers are dropped by a helicopter on the top of a peak shrouded by snow, where nothing comes in between the skier and challenging snow-capped mountain peak except for the blue sky, perceiving the daring moves of the skier. This is where the thrill starts and skier starts zooming his way down the slopes on ski boards making his way sometimes amid woods.

Though Heli Skiing is an expensive winter sport because of the involvement of helicopter but then nothing comes without paying price in this world and that too a sport which leaves everlasting memories in your mind. Heli Skiing is almost same like normal Snow-skiing but it is carried out on more higher peaks with around 14,000 ft altitude above sea level. It is also a tough affair than normal Skiing as the snow at higher peaks is soft and thus making the sport more risky. For a 10 minutes journey down the snow slopes you really need to have a heart of a tiger.

Skiing courses are also conducted by the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, located in Manali. Solang Nalla is a place nearby Manali where such courses are conducted every year. All the required equipments for the sport like ski boards, jackets, helmets, socks and googles are available with Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation office.

In the recent past, Heli Skiing has acquired a prominent place and immense popularity in the tourism sector of Himachal Pradesh. It has not only been successful in attracting adventure enthusiasts from different parts of India but from across the globe.

Heli Skiing In India

A tremor-a-minute swashbuckling sport where split-second decisions can literally make or mangle, heli-skiing is probably the most dazzling sport to be introduced during winters in India. As the first Asian country to offer facilities for this sport, heli-skiing made its debut in Kashmir in January 1988.
Set up in collaboration with the famous Swiss-born ski-mountaineer, Sylvan Saudan, this exciting sport requires prior skiing experience as well as a thorough knowledge of the physical features, cornices, crevasses, wind direction and potential avalanche hazard areas. Though expensive and exclusive, this ultimate adventure sport is fast gaining popularity.

Cautions & Essentials about Heli-Skiing

Are you new to heli skiing or the ultimate sports arena of skiing, then before taking up any of the heli skiing voyage , firstly ask your tour operators what kind of facilities do they offer to the skiers. Some key points to keep in mind include how many groups will be carried by one helicopter; the type of accommodation skiers are going to get; the exact height of the start point from where the skiing will begin and the most important one the equipment and services availability.

Safety is always important when you are planning to have skiing expeditions on the glacial regions as there are eventual dangers involved over there. There are always chances to have Avalanche(snow slide) in the snowy areas, that's why make it a point to check upon the snow conditions and weather information from the sports associations and information center of that particular region.

Skiing stability not only changes from mountain range to other mountain range but from slope to slope. That's why its always better to have a guide or ski instructor, who have a good knowledge about that skiing area The guides' decisions are utmost and should be respected always.

The second important safety fact is flying. Helicopter skiing pilots are absolute seasoned professionals who are thorough with the winter flying conditions within the mountains. They are alert to the onset of sudden weather changes and work together with your guide to ensure maximum safety. Always remember that the snowy regions are susceptible to accidents, so always plan your ski trip keeping the precautions in mind.

Prime Regions For Heli Skiing In India

It’s a long journey for a heli skier, but for the pious skier it’s once in a life time experience to get sporty in India’s Kullu Valley, known as the Valley of the Gods. The terrain ranges from north-facing open powder fields to creamy corn slopes to steep couloirs, skiable later in the season when avalanche danger diminishes. Birch tree dodging at lower elevations keeps you nimble. For first timers in India, heli skiing at the distant locations is always an experience to remember. Remote destination lodge such as the ones located in Manali, provide multiple day packages and are cons. Himalayas is full of ultimate skiing destinations and if you are an extreme sports lover and experienced enough to climb the glacial regions, then take up a heli skiing venture among the Indian Himalayas. Consistent heavy snowfalls and variety of mountain ranges, the Himalayas provide the best credit for any skier. In addition to the numerous ski resorts throughout the Himalayan region, you can also find the ultimate skiing experiences of heli skiing over here. In Himachal the heli skiing sport is available in the area abound by the Hanuman Tibba, Rohtang Pass, Deo Tibba and Chanderkhani Pass near Manali. A major feature is the solidity of the heli-skiing area. A sortie of ten minutes can carry the skiers to the top of a 14,000-feet high slope.

Heli Skiing Places In India

• Hanuman Tibba, Manali, H.P.

• Deo Tibba, Manali, H.P.

• Rohtang Pass, Manali, H.P.

• Chandrakhani Pass, Manali, H.P.

• Auli, Uttaranchal

• Pithoragarh, Kumaon Himalayas, Uttaranchal

• Gulmarg, J&K