Skiing In India?... Tips For First Timers To India

Ski Touring Company: Sign up with a reputable ski company and they’ll handle everything, taking the stress and hassle out of skiing in India(http://www.sevendescents.com.au/trips/india/index.php). Once again, we went Seven Descents and they were great. The cost was less than 2,000 sterling which included food, hotel, lift passes, guides, internal flights (Delhi to Srinigar) and transfers once in Kashmir. Basically, it covered everything except Delhi Hotel and getting there (and we hardly spent anything once we arrived). It also included a night in a houseboat on Lake Dal where we got to �de-compress� and laugh about the trip on the last night.

Delhi Hotels: There’s two hotels that I would recommend (the first was recommended by the tour company): the Hotel Guautam Deluxe on D.B. Gupta Road. It’s a good launching point and it’s your standard hotel for about 3,000 rupees. The other hotel I highly recommend is The Estate BnB www.theestatebnb.com. This fantastic piece of heaven was a home away from home in the hectic buzz of Delhi. Try and get in here first, and if they’re full (they have less than ten rooms) go for the hotel.

Transfers to and from Delhi Airports: You can book a taxi through your hotel beforehand (the easiest, it’s about 600 to 900 rupees) but if you don’t, then when you arrive in Delhi, out of customs, you can find the �Pre-Paid taxi rank� and simply buy a pre-paid taxi (about 600 rupees) and tell them where to go. Super easy.

Self-Guided Delhi Tour: You'll probably be arriving a day early (to get adjusted to the time-zone and to comfortably get your internal flight the next day). If so, get the hotel to organize a driver (about 800 rupees for the day) and do the following (you can do this all in one day): Red Fort, then hire a rickshaw driver to take you through old town (if you’re a girl, only do this with a friend and wear very conservative clothing (don’t forget your camera)), then see the Jama Mastid, and then go back to your driver and see the Qutab Minar, and go shopping at the Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhawan, Gallery. If you still have time after that, go to the Dilli Haat or Lodi Gardens. At night, walk around Connaught Square and buy some cheap books. My favourite restaurant there (you won't get sick) is Nirula's Potpourri Restaurant (Indian and Western Food). Note to women: If you’ve never been to India before, just be prepared to be stared at (it will happen, and it’s not considered rude like elsewhere).

Gear: There won’t be a chance to pick up gear in India. Go to any reputable shop and just tell them what you need (your India Ski Tour(http://www.sevendescents.com.au/trips/india/index.php) Company will give you a good list). One of our friends arrived from China and he picked up everything he needed from the Telemark Pyranees website which is a great online resource for gear. These guys ship all over the world.

Food: Once again, the food will be amazing. When in doubt, order the butter chicken with Palak Paneer (spinach with cheese). Saying that, bring a stash of your favourite goodies (chocolate, trail-mix etc.). Also bring some Go-Gels (you can get at any cycle shop) which will come in handy after a big skin or if your tummy is feeling sensitive. On this note, if your tummy is bothering you, bring charcoal pills, they are not absorbed by your system and they’ll take all the nasties out of your guts (you can find them at any health food store). Also, bring your ipod and portable speakers and a bottle of your favourite spirit. It makes the post-skiing chill �bliss�.

Stuff to Buy: There’s never a shortage of stuff to buy, just remember to keep bargaining until either a) you pay what you think is fair, or b) the vendor stops smiling. Be prepared to walk away if the price isn’t right. Believe me, if they want to sell the goods, then they’ll chase after you down the street. Saying that, if you go to the amazing craft market in Delhi (mentioned above), the goods are priced well and the need to bargain won’t be there.

Lastly Attitude: India (let alone the skiing) will test you to the Max. You can plan to your hearts content, and things still wouldn’t go right. We were fortunate, by going with a reputable tour company that minimized the hassle (in fact, there was No Hassle, but I can’t guarantee the same for you). Be prepared for the journey. Hit the stairmaster in anticipation. Once again, we weren’t there on a voyage of self-discovery (we did that in our 20’s), but it is a bombardment of the senses.

We were searching for an amazingly positive experience where the powder was unparalleled. We found it in Gulmarg India. You’ll find it there as well. It's an undiscovered piece of the world. I wasn't going to write about it, but keeping it a secret is a crime. Have fun and hope you liked the article! Buy your friend (hopefully a Canadian) that beer!

Post-Script: If you wanted to do some self-discovery, I would recommend the golden triangle. Fly into Delhi, train it to Agra, then do Jaipur, Pushkar and Udaipur (using those places as �home bases� and doing daily side trips). From Udaipur fly to Varanasi and spend two days there before flying back to Delhi. You can do this in two weeks (and you’ll learn a lot about yourself (really appreciate what you’ve got). Do this after the ski-trip as you’ll be super super chilled and happy!