Skiing

This course is designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of skiing, starting with essential techniques such as balancing, sliding, turning, and stopping on snow. Guided by highly skilled and certified instructors, you’ll gain confidence with each session, moving from gentle nursery slopes to slightly steeper terrains as you progress. Alongside technical training, the experience is enriched by the serene beauty of Gulmarg’s snow-covered landscapes, the crisp mountain air, and the thrill of trying something new. Whether you’re a complete novice or simply looking to refine your skills, this course offers the perfect blend of fun, learning, and adventure.

Day 1: Ski Fitting, Gliding, and Side Stepping

The instructor will give you a brief of your Course Schedule for the next 8 days. Your skiing equipment has three components: Ski Boots, Ski Poles, and the Skis themselves. We will be providing all of the equipment to you for the duration of the course. The instructor guides you through securing snug-fitting boots, attaching them to skis using adjustable bindings, and correctly gripping ski poles with the wrist strap positioned underneath your fist. Once the gear is chosen, you will be taught how to put it on correctly to make sure that you are safe and secure.

Your instructor will guide you as you push off and try to maintain balance while descending. To return uphill without removing your skis each time, you'll learn the "Side Stepping" technique—an essential skill for ascending slopes. This involves placing your skis perpendicular to the slope and using the edges to grip and step your way upward. Your instructor will walk you through this technique until you're confident reaching the top on your own.

Day 2: Controlled Fall and Snow Ploughing

You’ll begin about a quarter of the way up the Baby Slope to learn controlled falling—an essential safety skill to help manage falls and prevent injury. This is followed by your first core skiing technique: the snowplough, used to control speed and brake. The focus is on balance, control, and slowly gliding down in a straight line. Falling is expected and part of the learning process. If you gain too much speed, widen your snowplough, lean forward, and dig the ski edges into the snow. You'll practice this technique on different sections of the Baby Slope, gradually progressing to skiing its full length.

Day 3: Stem Turns and Parallel Skiing

Snowplough turns prepare you with the technique and confidence that you need to begin stem turns and eventually parallel turns when your control, balance, and confidence with speed have increased. In the morning, we will begin with practicing snow plough and snow plough turns. Your instructor will introduce you to stem turns post lunch on the Baby Slope.

Stem turns are a hybrid between the snow plough and parallel turns. Since the skis in snowplough position will naturally act to slow you down, parallel skis help you to accelerate. On a stem turn, you begin cutting across the slope with parallel skis, shifting into snowplough when it is time to turn and push the appropriate foot into the snow.

Day 4: Advancing to Slope 85

The day begins with traversing the Highland Slope using a combination of snowplough and snowplough turns. This slope is longer, steeper, and more complex, offering a real test of your balance and control. It’s common for skiers to feel like they’ve forgotten everything they learned the day before—don’t be discouraged. This adjustment phase is part of the process, and with each run, your confidence will grow. After lunch, the challenge continues on Slope 85, known for its steep gradient despite its short length. You’ll practice multiple runs here till evening.

Day 5: Advancing to Phase 1

After a scenic gondola ride to 10,000 ft, you’ll ski down a challenging terrain marked by steep sections, alpine trees, and patches of snow, rock, and gravel, making it a true test of endurance and control. Expect plenty of falls, but also an unforgettable adventure. If you're up for more, you can go for a second run or ascend further to Phase 2 at 14,000 ft for breathtaking views—though be mindful of the altitude.

Day 6: Course Assessment & Certification

The final and most rewarding day of your Basic Skiing Course, as you put your skills to the test through a formal assessment. Your instructor will evaluate both your theoretical knowledge and practical ability in snowplough, snowplough turns, side stepping, and stem turns with parallel skiing. The day begins with a warm-up run on Phase 1, followed by an exciting mini slalom-style race where you'll be judged on speed, technique, and control. The course concludes with a closing ceremony, where certificates and badges will be awarded in celebration of your progress and achievement.