Trans-Himalayan Winter Ski Tour

Manali · India

Expedition Grade14 daysAsia~£3,000 est.

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Overview

In February the Zanskar and Lahaul ranges are cut off, silent and loaded with cold, dry Himalayan snow - and almost nobody skis them. Expeditions staged from Manali or flown into Leh work peaks and couloirs above 4,000 metres where the line you ski may well be a first descent; the celebrated prize is the Drang-Drung glacier below the Pensi La, a 23-kilometre river of ice beneath Doda Peak offering enormous, remote ski terrain. Days are short, the cold is absolute (minus 25 Celsius nights are routine), and the skiing swings between perfect recycled powder and wind-hammered crust, often on the same run. This is expedition-grade in the honest sense: avalanche self-sufficiency, crevasse rescue skills and a strong guide team are prerequisites, outside rescue is days away, and the winter road closures mean approaches lean on porters, ponies and pre-placed camps. January to March is the season. Two weeks with an IFMGA-led team and full India logistics runs about £3,000 excluding flights - modest by heli-skiing standards for terrain this wild. The variable that breaks trips is warm storm cycles pushing up from the south, so hold a week of weather margin against any summit ambitions.