Top Winter Sports that attract Adventure lovers in India

If you’re a hard-core adrenalin junkie, an adventurer looking to explore unknown horizons, or just someone who likes travelling; the winter season can bring with it a realm of exciting possibilities to entice the zeal for travel in you. Especially if you go to the Himalayas, there’s no end to the fun you can have—from extreme adventure sports to leisure activities—here are five ways to embrace the cold and snow.

Skiing – Skiing is probably one of the most popular and definitely the most challenging sport .The most popular ski destinations in India include Auli, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Manali, Narkanda, Uttarakhand and Sikkim which are considered as the favourite spots for skiing and other winter sports. If you’re not well versed with skiing, then you should opt for some proper training. There are trained instructors to assist you in the sport and equipment which can be rented by the hour. So, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner or an expert, the snow-covered slopes ranging from steep to mild will set you for an adventure that will stay even long after once you’ve left.

Snowboard– Snowboarding is a recreational activity that involves descending a slope covered with snow by standing on a snowboard which is attached to a rider’s feet with the help of a special boot set into a mounted binding. This adventurous sport was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It first started in the United States in the 1960s and became a Winter Olympic Sport in 1998. One of the most common styles of snowboarding is the free-ride, where you can easily glide down about any sort of snow-covered terrain. Though it might look relatively simple, but this snowboarding requires a high level of skill and intense practice. Also, it is very important to sharpen your ability in order to balance your body, and also timing is an ultimate key; but if you succeed to master the art, then snowboarding can really be a fun.

Trekking & Mountaineering –India offers World class trekking opportunities as Backpacking/Trekking and mountaineering expeditions are quite popular in Himalayan ranges of India during the winters. Mountaineering is definitely not a child’s play, as it requires extremely high level of fitness, steely determination and tolerance for life-threatening cold. The two most challenging peaks to conquer are Kanchenjunga and Nanda Devi, and the most popular trekking routes in the Himalayan range include the Garhwal Himalayas, Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh, Zanskar range and the eastern Himalayas range in Sikkim & Darjeeling. So what are you waiting for? Hurry up ! Pack up your bags and get ready for some action.

Ice- climbing– It is regarded as one of the most adventurous and dangerous winter sports out there. Climbing icy walls in sub-zero temperatures involves a high risk and it’s definitely not only worth trying if you don’t have enough courage—it isn’t something that everyone really can do. Although it’s more similar to rock climbing, but ice climbing poses more challenges and daring attempts as ice has a slippery surface as compared to rugged rocks. Climbers must take proper training and have enough experience before embarking on an adventure. Therefore, it is very important to equip yourself with a wide range of special tools & equipment—waterproof garments, an ice axe, boots, goggles, mittens, wrist loops, ice screws, hammer attachments, crampons etc .