Winter sports in India are centred around Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, and Himachal Pradesh.
Skiing usually starts by the end of December and lasts till the end of March. Gulmarg and Khilanmarg in Kashmir, Auli in Uttaranchal, Gorsain in Garhwal, and Manali and Narkanda in Himachal Pradesh provide good snow ski slopes.
This is in the Uttarkashi - Gangotri Road. It is situated at an elevation of about 3048 metres. Vehicles can go up to the village of Barsu, from where one has to trek a distance of about 8 kms. to reach Dayara. The other route is via village Raithal, 10 kms. from Bhatwari, from where one has to trek about 6 kms. to Dayara Bugyal. During winter it provides excellent ski slopes over an area of 28 sq. kms. Dayara bugyal affords a panoramic view of the breathtakingly beautiful Himalayas. There is also a small lake in the area where one can camp. You can trek down through dense forests to Dodi-Tal, which is about 32 kms. away.
Auli is another famous place for skiing. Courses are held here for beginners and professionals. There are 7 day and 14 day courses. Auli sees a lot of young and old people from metros and small cities in India who long for a taste of adventure and come here for a different kind of holiday.
Besides skiing, Kufri is also known for its good hiking and trekking trails. Basically, it is an adventure enthusiast's paradise. It is a tiny hill station In Himachal Pradesh, located 19-kms from Simla on the National Highway No.22. One can visit the Himalayan Nature Park and close by is the Indira Tourist Park. Above Kufri, the Mahasu ridge also has some good slopes. There is a range of slopes, including a beginner's run, an advanced slope and slalom run. Himachal Tourism offers ski courses, and has equipment on hire at Kufri. Travellers can hire cabs or take buses from Simla, Narkanda or Rampur. An annual winter sports festival is organized every year in the month of February where skiing enthusiasts and adventure seekers come in large numbers.
Narkanda, in Himachal, should be visited from December to March. What gives Narkanda its awe-inspiring view of the snowy peaks is the fact that it is located on the ridge of the last watershed before the Himalayan range. Narkanda, at 8,100 feet is 440 kms from Delhi and a two hour drive from Simla. The only peak available for skiing is Hattu Peak, which is 6-kms away from Narkanda.
Also in the state of Himachal Pradesh, 40 kms away from Kulu to the north, Manali is situated near the northern end of the valley on the National Highway leading to Leh. It has spectacular views of snowcapped peaks and wooded slopes.
Manali and Gulmarg provide an enormous variety of heli-ski runs and routes too.
Ice Skating is a lot like skiing. Balance of your body has to be just right for you to glide smoothly. Simla is one of the best places to try out ice skating. In fact a sports festival is held there every winter. Amateurs can follow simple rules of agility, steadiness and a good sense of balance to enjoy this sport and they will master it in no time.
If you don't mind the risk of high altitude skiing and have the courage against all odds, then heli-skiing is just for you. The helicopter leaves you at the top of a snow capped peak and from there you just have to criss-cross your way downward, sometimes on completely unknown routes. Some of the best places in the Indian Himalayan region include Hanuman Tibba, Deo Tibba, Rohtang Pass and Chandrakhani Pass near Manali. Auli in Himachal and Gulmarg in Kashmir also offer this sport.