This story is from June 7, 2019

European skiers see summer skiing possibilities in Himachal Pradesh

A skiing expedition on the natural slopes of Manali and Lahaul in the months of May and June has thrilled a team of six Europeans – five from France and one from Belgium
European skiers see summer skiing possibilities in Himachal Pradesh
Seven skiers, including one Indian, on a skiing expedition in Baralacha and Chhatru area in Lahaul and Spiti district
MANALI: A skiing expedition on the natural slopes of Manali and Lahaul in the months of May and June has thrilled a team of six Europeans – five from France and one from Belgium – so much that they now plan to run backcountry and helicopter skiing operations in the area in summer months.
The team, which returned here on Wednesday after a recce of the area, comprised a former skiing Olympian, a top French mountain guide, a journalist and ski explorers.
Praveen Sood (Pintu) from Manali, who has vast heli-skiing experience and was the first person to ski down the 20,044ft high Mt Yunam peak in Lahaul, organized the whole expedition in Himachal. They put up a two-night camp at Hamta, two nights near Rohtang and three at Baralacha.
Didier Jules Delahaye, who was part of the group, said snow conditions at many places were ideal for skiing even in May-end and early June. “This is amazing. Some of the natural slopes on the Himalayas are huge. We see a vast skiing tourism potential here,” he said.
This was a second recce by the team in the area. They have been exploring areas where skiing has never been done before and collected information on slopes, snow stability and avalanche risk. It has now prepared a full report and proposal to set up backcountry and helicopter operations in northern Kullu and Lahaul valley.
“The team was happy with the snow quality and skiing conditions. If government supports, we are interested in operations of backcountry and helicopter skiing in the area,” said Sood, who also runs an adventure company in Manali. “The top mountain guide from France, who has experience of skiing all over the world was stunned to see such favourable skiing conditions in June. A former Olympian in our team was thrilled to see vast natural slopes above Baralacha Pass in Lahaul,” he added.
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