Learn the Basics on a snowboarding adventure to the northern state of Jammu & Kashmir
Ever looked at pictures of the Swiss Alps and dreamt of one day heading there to learn to snowboard? Well, why bother going that far when you have the world's biggest mountain range in your own backyard! A short flight North and you can be in the Himalaya, learning a new and adventurous sport. Gulmarg, Kashmir is a mecca for Western adventurists in the winter. These hedonists head there for the highest skiable gondola in the world and the untracked powder that the mountains hold.
Now it’s your turn to come up and see what all the fuss is about. ‘Learn to Ride India’ is an initiative of Di5 Adventures. We have been bringing foreigners to Gulmarg for the past five years. Now we are looking to share the sport of snowboarding with those that live a little bit closer. A week-long, fully immersive adventure, which takes you from complete novice to riding the lower reaches of a 4200m mountain: Mt. Affarwat.
We have selected the best local snowboarders to impart their wisdom, share their love of snowboarding and show you the wonder that Kashmir has to offer.
We pick you up from the airport, sort out your accommodation and fix you up with the snowboard gear. We have developed a program that will occupy your days learning to ride. The night times are your own to explore the village, socialize with the many nationalities that visit Gulmarg and take part in a few optional activities on offer by Di5. All you need is the right attitude, a willingness to learn and a sense of adventure and you will be carving up the ‘Indian Alps’ in no time.
7 DAYS /6 Nights and you will be snowboarding!
- 5 Nights accommodation with breakfast in Hotel Khaleel Palace
- 5 Days Snowboard Instruction with lunch
- All Snowboard Equipment
- Lift Passes
- Airport Transfers
- 1 Night in a houseboat on Dal Lake, Srinagar
- T-Shirt and completion certificate
*NOT INCLUDED
Airfares, Dinner, Travel Insurance.
DATES
CAMP 1 / 24th - 31st JANUARY 2016
CAMP 2 / 31st JANUARY - 7th FEBRUARY 2016
CAMP 3 / 7th - 14th FEBRUARY 2016
CAMP 4 / 14th - 21st FEBRUARY 2016
CAMP 5 / 21st - 28th FEBRUARY 2016
CAMP ITINERARY
DAY 1 - Sunday
Arrive at Srinagar Airport, where you will be met by our driver who will take you on the 52km journey to Gulmarg. After you settle into your room at Hotel Khaleel Palace we will have a meet and greet dinner where you will meet fellow campers and the Di5 crew. After dinner, we will screen some Snowboard videos and talk about your weeks riding.
DAY 2 - Monday
In the morning, you will get fitted with snowboard equipment at The Attic Snowboard Shop. You will be given a snowboard, boots and bindings of your own for the week. Waterproof clothing, gloves and a helmet are all supplied. This will take up the morning, a quick lunch so that you are fuelled up for the afternoon's lesson. Then it will be time to hit the snow with your Instructors. Each instructor will have 3 students, this will help you progress quickly. On your first day on the snow, you will learn the parts of the board and the basic skills of controlling the board; strapping in, skating and falling leaf are some of the building blocks to becoming a snowboarder.
DAY 3 - Tuesday
Today is a full day on the snow, campers will get instruction on skidded turns then progress to linked turns. You will get time in between instruction to practice your new skills. Lunch will be provided on the slope. After lunch camper will practice the mornings lessons while your instructor helps refine your technique. In the evening, you will attend an Avalanche Awareness Talk. This is an opportunity to understand more about riding safely in big mountains and also have a few drinks with the Di5 crew.
The Gondola line as seen from the village.
DAY 4 - Wednesday
Back on the snow, today will be spent doing laps on the lower half of the Gulmarg Gondola with your Instructor. You will get to practice what you have learned with your Instructor providing feedback and tips throughout the day. The length of this run means you will get more snowboarding done than your first two days. In the evening, you will head over to The Attic Snowboard Shop and learn how to maintain a snowboard.
DAY 5 - Thursday
A second day on the lower section of the Gulmarg Gondola honing your skills, by this stage your confidence will have grown and you should be yelping with delight as you slide across the snow. Again you will receive tuition from your Instructor.
DAY 6 - Friday
Your last day on the hill, time to put together your new skills. The aim of this day is to get all campers riding the chairlift. The chairlift runs a third of the way up Mt Affarwat from the mid-station. It will give you access to wide open snow fields where you will have lots of space to move. During the day, you will be joined by the Di5 crew for a few runs. This is where you will take the photos that will make your friends jealous. Once riding is finished mid afternoon you will return to the hotel and then depart for Srinagar. Tonight you will stay on a houseboat on Dal Lake.
DAY 7 - Saturday
An early morning Shikara ride on Dal Lake and breakfast, followed by a visit to Lal Chowk in Srinagar. The driver will then return you to Srinagar Airport for departure.
The view from your Shikara heading across Dal Lake