Skiing in Jammu and Kashmir is a thrilling and exciting experience for any adventure enthusiast. The Ski Club of India was established in Gulmarg in 1927, which is now considered as the ski paradise of India. Just 50 km from Srinagar, situated at an altitude of 2,730 m, Gulmarg changes its scenery from a flowery meadow to that of a small ski resort in winters. Ski-lovers from all over the country flock to the place because it is the only ski-resort in the mighty Himalayas where you can ski with a magnificent view of the Karakorams.

Around the middle of December, before the Christmas, the skiing season in Gulmarg usually commences, which continues till the middle of April. In January-February, 1998 the first National Winter Games of India were held at Gulmarg, for which the facilities of the skiing resorts were highly improved and upgraded. The resort had two Kasse Bohrer snow beating machines used for preparing skiing slopes, and five snowmobiles, which are used for going up the mountain. Good quality equipment, including skis, boots, sticks, gloves and goggles can be hire on the spot from the Government-run ski shop. There are also experienced instructors available for supervising the visitors. Gulmarg is ideally acceptable for learning skiing, as it is probably the cheapest ski resort in the world.

Gulmarg also offers heliskiing for winter sports lovers. It is Asia's only heliskiing resort and in fact after Canada, Kashmir is the best option for those inclined towards heliskiing. Heliskiing comprises of being dropped by a helicopter on the summit of a high, snow-covered peak and then skiing down the slopes. Heliskiing in Kashmir can be a breathtaking experience. Heliskiing is the ultimate winter sports thrill for the adventure sports lover. This extreme winter sport has some element of risk but the thrill experienced while indulging in heliskiing is said to be unequalled by any other winter sport.

Skiing can also be enjoyed at Patnitop, 112 kms from Jammu, Patnitop, famous hill resort, perched at an altitude of 2024 metres is a world best destination for ski lovers. Skiing courses are conducted at Patnitop in the months of January and February. During winter months there are introductory courses for tourists/beginners at gentle gradient slopes of Patnitop.

Skiing is an exciting pastime that will give you an excuse to travel and meet friends as well as help you keep your body in tip top shape. If you’re considering taking up skiing as your newest hobby, here are a few tips to help you get started.

The Proper Positioning for Skiing

Positioning is extremely important when skiing. If you start out with a bad position, you’ll most likely end up with an equally bad fall. The best pose to have before skiing is to keep your feet slightly apart, with the distance between your feet equaling the width of your shoulders. Your skis, on the other hand, must form a V-shape.

As you move, you’ll have to slightly bend your lower body, starting from the waist, then your knees going down to your ankles. Make sure that your arms remain slightly outstretched and steady on your skis. It’s very important that pressure is evenly distributed to both of your feet.

Making a Turn

It will seem extremely difficult and scary to make a turn on your first attempt at skiing, but rest assured that this is a doable objective. The first thing you have to do is place your body in the basic position once more - feet slightly apart, your lower body bent slightly, and your arms spread widely – then slowly but firmly turning your feet to the direction you wish to take. Make sure that you still keep your eyes straight ahead and not down on your feet while make the turn. Once you’ve turned your feet successfully to the right direction, you’ll realize that your body has automatically done the same!

While it’s easy to make turns on slow and gentle slopes, it naturally becomes harder on steeper courses because of the amount of effort you need to exert to keep control of your body and your skis. Practice however will soon make you a pro at turning left and right.

Walking and Gliding

If there’s a short distance between you and your intended destination and you’d wish to cover it by walking rather than skiing, take your skis off and put your ski boots to work. It’s easier and safer that way.

To glide in your skis, on the other hand, all you have to do is assume the basic positioning once more. Relax your grip then let yourself go. Again, keep your eyes straight ahead and not at the snow beneath you!

How to Schuss

Schussing is a German term that’s now used to describe skiing downhill. It’s impossible that you won’t find a need to schuss if you’re determined to have skiing as your hobby. Thus, it’s better to start practicing now than having to learn it in an instant.

The first thing you should do is find an appropriate slope where you can practice schussing. If you’re at a skiing resort, any member of the staff or crew will surely point you out to appropriate practice areas for schussing. If you’re alone, however, just make sure that the slope you’ll be practicing on is relatively low, with gentle curves, and without any physical obstacles in your course.

Assume the basic position for skiing, with your skis pointed downwards. Make sure that you’re relaxed and confident before doing this. Don’t attempt to do this alone as much as possible during your first few tries. If you’re ready, let yourself go. Always keep your eyes straight ahead of you. Make sure that your skis and feet are moving in harmony as you go downhill.

Remember to keep the same amount of pressure for both feet or you’ll easily lose your balance. If there are small impediments in the course, use your hips, knees, and ankles to avoid or go around them. While schussing, try to find a position that’s most comfortable for you. The important thing is to stay relaxed!

Keeping Control of Your Speed

Just like when you learn driving or horseback riding, you’ll also have to know how to effectively step on the brakes and make a clean stop. To do so, you’ll have to assume the snow plough position once more. This will allow you to control your speed. If you wish to make a full stop, just turn your feet inwards while forming an inverted V.

Although there are certainly many benefits to enjoy when going skiing, keep in time that this is still a moderately dangerous hobby to pursue for any individual. If you have any past or present medical condition, be sure to inform your physician first about your intentions before trying out any slopes. Have fun skiing!

Ski boots & bindings are probably the most important parts of your ski gear. You may think the skis are important as their design determines how fast you go or how effectively you can turn but the boots and bindings are essentially how you communicate with the skis. Your weight and balance control how the skis perform. By shifting your weight you are altering the force on the skis and this is communicated through the boots and binding. This article will discuss some of the considerations when selecting the best ski boots & bindings.

Ski Boots

Ski boots are not like any ordinary shoe. The chances are you will be wearing them for most of the day in cold and wet conditions. It is important that you fit into then comfortably but not so that you a loose. It goes without saying that you should measure the length of your foot. You should also measure the width. Some people have wider feet than others and they need boots that will cater for this.

Ideally the boot should fit snugly around the foot and calf

The flex of the boots is also important. The flex is the resistance that a boot has to being bent forwards or backwards. Flex determines the amount of control that you have over the skis and the responsiveness of the skis. For instance, ski boots with less flex are more responsive but less forgiving. Thus an experienced skier will have a boot with the minimum amount of flex, however a beginner will want more flex. You also want more flex in a boot if you ski on mogul runs or powder snow. Less flex is better for hard snow or tight turns.

Ski Bindings

Bindings are the connection between your boots and the skis. They are designed to give you control of the skis without feeling the forces exerted on the skis. They are also designed to release the boot if you fall or the ski gets stuck thus prevent feet and leg injuries.

The two considerations of bindings are the performance and the safety they give you.

Some skis are sold without bindings so it is up to you to select the right type of binding for the ski. This can add extra complexity to the buying process. It is more common now for skis to come with integrated bindings. This is probably the best option for a beginner as you don't have to worry whether the bindings will be compatible with the ski in performance terms.

As far as safety goes, you want to get bindings that will fit your release settings. The release setting is the point at which the binding will release the foot. It is determined by your weight, ability and even age. If a binding does not fit into this criteria then it is not for you. Release settings are rated by a DIN number. Your DIN number should be in the medium range of the binding so that it can be adjusted if variables change.

For skiing and snowboarding tips and reviews of equipment and gear then visit http://www.snowboardnskiing.com. The site gives advice on finding discount ski equipment and types of snow skiing. Adrian Whittle writes on skiing and snowboarding.

Author: Adrian Whittle
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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It's time to plan a skiing vacation. Most ski resorts have websites. Start the planning process by accessing these websites to determine where you and your family might want to go for your family ski vacation. Don't worry, skiing isn't as expensive as you might think, and there are numerous resorts that cater to families, offering a variety of packages designed to save you money.

There are a few things you should look for when choosing your skiing destination.

1) The most important thing to look for is a ski school if someone in your family will need instruction. While most resorts do have ski schools, some don't. Don't make the mistake of choosing a destination where one or more of your family members won't have fun, simply because they don't know how to ski.

2) Take a look at the slopes, lifts, and trails. You want to make sure that the resort has something to offer everyone in your family. If the resort only caters to beginners, an expert skier will become quickly bored. If you have a snowboarder in your group, and there is no snowboarding park or terrain, that snowboarder will not be happy.

3) Lodging is the next thing to look at. You want to be comfortable, so where you will sleep at night matters a great deal. In most cases, there is a hotel right at the base of the slopes, but this isn't necessarily he best or most affordable place to stay. Find out what your lodging options are for the area, and choose the one that is right for your family and your budget.If you will be staying farther away from the slopes, make sure that there is transportation to and from the slopes each day!

When you start thinking about ski vacations, you will find a lot of information about various resorts and packages. Finding terrific vacation spots isn't that difficult, what is difficult is to fit your ski vacation into your budget.

Ways To Save Money On Your Skiing Trip

1) To save money, look for lesser known resorts.

I'm not saying that these resorts won't provide you with a memorable skiing vacation. It simply means that they aren't quite as well known as other resorts, and therefore, the prices may be cheaper.

2) Look for ski vacation packages

It is a lot cheaper to buy packages than getting individual deals. These packages will include your lodging, lift tickets, lessons, rentals, and possibly even some meals.

3) Save money on less important stuff.

For example, instead of eating in an expensive restaurant each night, eat cheaper fast food, or make sandwiches in your room. Borrow equipment from friends instead of renting it. Join a group for lessons instead of taking private lessons. Don't stay at a lodge, stay at a motel farther away from the slopes if necessary.

What To Prepare For Your Skiing Trip

If you will be traveling for a ski vacation, you may have a problem figuring how to get everything that you need from your home to your destination. Skis do not easily fit into suitcases, and if you are flying, this presents a huge problem. If you don't mind skiing with rented equipment, you can consider renting the skis, boots and poles. If you prefer to have your own equipment, find out if there are any ski shops in the area and ask if they buy used equipment. Figure the difference in the money you will spend on the ski equipment, and the money you will get for the used equipment when you are finished with it. If it isn't much more than what it would cost you to rent the equipment, go for it!

Ski suits, ski jackets, and sweaters can be very bulky, and hard to pack. These items will take up a lot of room in your suitcase, and leave less room for other clothing and essentials. If you are trying to pack for a two week ski vacation, it will be impossible to fit everything you need into one suitcase. To solve this, call the lodge or resort where you will be staying. Tell them that you need to ship a package, for yourself, to them, and that you need that package to be there when you arrive.

If you have kids, you know how hard it is to keep them in ski boots that fit. Roces has the answer. For more entertainment, music & sports, watch Park City Television online at www.parkcity.tv.