Skiing at Kashmir’s Aru Valley – A Thrilling Experience

Option 2 – You can take a flight to Srinagar. From Srinagar, you can take a shared cab to Anantnag. From Anantnag, take a shared cab to Aru Valley which goes via Pahalgam.

Accommodation is quite expensive, but the food is reasonably priced. So traveling in a group would be nominal.

By the time I reached, about 20 students were already present. After signing the Indemnity Bond and other important documents, I was asked to collect my sleeping bag and a mattress.

The amenities were pretty basic but that didn’t matter. Being in the company of 27 other people, the evening was spent in interactions with each other.

Abiding by Army rules (JIM &WS is managed by the Indian Army), dinner was served at 19:00 hours. The food was simple but scrumptious.

Soon after dinner, I went out to the main building in order to use the washroom braving the cold. I looked up to see the sky full of stars. Seeing so many stars for the first time, I just stood there, staring in awe of nature.

The entire valley was enveloped in freshly fallen snow. That was when the popular statement – Kashmir is a paradise on earth – started to make so much sense.

When we reached the base camp, we met 28 other coursemates, who were a part of the Indian Air Force in the capacity of officers or staff members. We were later divided into four groups of 14 students each.

Later in the afternoon, we were provided with one set of Skiing equipment each and taught how to use them. When I wore it, I felt like Alberto Tombo (a legendary Skier).

The rooms provided to us were pretty good. The floors and the walls were made of pinewood and each room had its own bathroom.

Wake up early in the morning, get ready, and get done with breakfast by 07:15 hours.

Exactly at 07:30 hours, we would leave for our Skiing practice on one of the hills.

Skiing at Aru Valley session would begin at 8:30 hours.

After practising for three hours and taking a break in between, we would get back to the base camp for lunch.

Post lunch, we would get two hours to relax before the theory class. After the theory class, we would get another hour for ourselves.

Dinner time was 19:00 to 20:00 hours.

After dinner, we would play games or watch movies before going to sleep.

Simple as it may sound, the course was not easy. It was designed by professional skiers who serve the Indian Army.

Carrying about 20 kg of weights in the form of your Skiing equipment and our personal stuff whilst trekking for 50-60 minutes uphill was not easy. After three hours of Skiing practice, returning to the base came with nearly the same weight while walking down the slippery route seemed scary even on the penultimate day of the course.

But this is the reason why learning an adventure sport makes one feel stronger and teaches one about so many things that one can never learn in their comfort zone.

The lowest temperature recorded there during the course period was -23°C. There were a few students who decided to quit mid-way but there were also two students who came for the course to celebrate their marriage.

All the instructors, led by a former Gurkha soldier, were really nice and made us believe that we were all in safe hands. However, pretty much all of us had one thing in common – we disliked for the lazy Medical Officer.

With little to no connectivity, we lost the link with the world, and yet we found a world which welcomed us with open arms. The locals always ensured that the guests had a memorable time and adhered to ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’. Whereas, nature always delighted us with something new every now and then.

Also, there is an old (seemingly lonely) mountain dog named Juno whom I befriended.

While it was the first time had seen a sky full of gazillion stars, it was also the first time when I witnessed snowfall, made a snowman, pitched a tent, spent four days on the trot without bathing, and made so many friends in such a short span of time.

Also, it was also the first time I did Skiing.

As I look back, those two weeks gave me an experience that I will cherish for a lifetime.

If the weather conditions turn extreme, yes. However, you will be informed in advance and the authorities will make sure that you don’t try skiing at Aru Valley.

Does fitness level matter while skiing at Aru valley or any other place ?

Yes.

Is it ok to try skiing without instructions?

No, it never is ok. 

Is it important to stay hydrated?

Absolutely yes. Drink lots of warm water.

What is the ideal climatic condition to try skiing at Aru Valley ?

Three days after a snowstorm.

Which climatic conditions are not suitable for skiing at Aru Valley ?

After a fresh pour of rain.