Kashmir offers a skiing area as wide as all the Alps brought together : the world greatest ski

WHEN YOUR DREAM COMES TRUE HIMALAYAS : MAGIC...!

Deep down in every skier’s subconscious is the desire, once in a lifetime, to make tracks in virgin snow on the most mythical mountains on earth, where the abominable snowman is more than a legend.

Honorary Citizen of Kashmir (first skier to descend a 23,000 feet summit, the highest peak of Kashmir: Nun-Kun), used to its mountains and its snow, Sylvain Saudan selected Srinagar to set Himalaya Heliski base, with a skiing area equivalent to the Northern and Southern Alps brought together.

Himalaya Heliski operates in the Indian part of Kashmir since 14 years. For many years, Kashmir was partially paralyzed due to political problems. We can assert that the political situation in Kashmir has never been as comfortable as today. This explains the massive return of the domestic and international tourism.

« A LA CARTE » SKIING FOR EVERYONE WHATEVER THEIR TECHNICAL OR PHYSICAL ABILITY

For that purpose, the number of skiers is limited to 12 skiers per week, supervised by 3 fully-experienced mountain guides. The guides are in permanent radio contact with the helicopter pilot who is navigating between the different groups.

The mobility of the aircraft and the flexibility of organization brings a great freedom to the participants.

They can even decide individually which time they will return to the hotel.

This technique has been properly working for the last 14 years and no advanced skier has ever been waiting around for less experienced ones. They, in turn, need not worry about hindering the group.

THE TEAM

Sylvain Saudan’s distinguished reputation as a man of exploits, his entry in the Guinness Book of Records for his vertiginous ski descents in the Alps and in the Himalayas, often overshadows his real personality: a man of prudence and of measure, an expert on snow, a ski technician who has taught skiing on all five continents.

To run the setup, Sylvain has gathered around him :

Himalaya Heliski Helicopter

Model Alouette 3 type 316 B

- Fully-experienced ski teachers and mountain guides from Chamonix, France.

- Pilots and mechanics (from the UE), experts in high mountain work with Alouette 3 and Lama, Aerospatiale models, which have proved to be the safest and most efficient mountain helicopters.

- For the past 30 years, these aircrafts have carried out some of the most difficult rescue missions in the Alps and the hardest high altitude works (transport of pylons, cables, for ski lift and cable car constructions, etc).

This team of professionals will make it possible for you to ski the longest runs in the wildest valleys of the world, providing you with unforgettable days of ecstatic skiing.

KASHMIR, THE GREATEST SKIING IN THE WORLD

The lie of the land and the orientation of the slopes are exceptional and unique.

Mountaineering professionals cannot help remarking that nature shows favoritism in this part of the world.

SAFETY:

The herds of yaks, sheep and goats roaming the mountain in summer (up to 16,500 feet) keep up lots of small footpaths, insuring therefore a real protection against avalanches in winter.

Today unfortunately, this natural equilibrium has disappeared from our Alpine ski resorts.

In India there is a say :

« Kashmir is paradise on earth ».

In the immensity of the virgin expanses. Himalaya Heliski main motivation is to provide to the skiers a maximum of freedom in the limits set for security purposes.

THE SNOW CONDITIONS

Snowfalls from November till May. Deep powder snow till end of March, then you will find a spring snow that only Himalayas can offer and some powder snow depending on the lie of the slopes.

The Himalayas provide an amazing diversity of slopes which satisfy the most experts and demanding skiers.

Photo from the « Free rider » movie. Photo: JM Favre. Production: Daniel Lafarge.

THE SKI:

6 days of ski from Sunday morning till Friday evening. Vertical drops which ranges from 3,500 to 6,000 feet, and as many runs as the weather conditions or... exhaustion will allow you to do.

SKI EQUIPMENT:

Everyone should have his own ski boots. For those who do not wish to transport their own skis, « Volant » skis, specially meant for powder snow (along with poles), are available at an extra charge. If you contemplate renting skis, please indicate the length on your registration form.

WEATHER CONDITIONS :

The winter temperature in Kashmir is milder than the Alps or the Rockies ones. During the last 12 years, the temperature at 13,000 feet never went below 10.4° F. Srinagar temperature ranges between 36 and 64°F but the climate is slightly humid due to Dal lake proximity

SPIRIT OF HIMALAYA HELISKI is a spirit of total freedom.

The Himalayas are the last remaining space in which that freedom exists.

The snowboard spirit SRINAGAR, the''Himalayan Venice''

Nehru park

The old town

The Dal lake

600,000 inhabitants, 5,000 foot high, capital of Kashmir, Srinagar spreads around the Dal Lake. Its fancy house-boats, floating market and flourishing handicraft have made its repute. Idling on house-boats after skiing time is a must!

HIMALAYA HELISKI, PRIVILEGED SITUATION

Time difference: + 4 hours

Paris-New Delhi: 8 hours flight

New Delhi-Srinagar: 1 hour flight

Airport-hotel 15 mn in taxi

Each day, 7 airlines fly to Srinagar,

ensuring guaranteed arrival and departure, dates and times.

ACCOMODATION

HOTEL INTERCONTINENTAL GRAND PALACE 5*

HHS HELICOPTER LANDS IN THE HOTEL GARDENS

THE FORMER PALACE OF THE MAHARADJAH OF KASHMIR

125 rooms of which 46 are suites,

At 20 min. by car from the airport,

Less than 5 min. walk to the Dal Lake,

10 min. walk to a superb 18 holes golf.

EACH EVENING, WE LEAVE THE SNOWY LANDSCAPES TO FIND AGAIN THE PLEASANTNESS OF SRINAGAR.

Fine après-ski relaxation

Hotel gardens in April

Golf designed by R. Trent Jones

After a day spent skiing on one of the wildest area in the world, and less than 20 minutes away by helicopter, who else than Himalaya Heliski can offer its clients five star hotel luxury, an 18 hole golf course, a lake, and to crown it all, a town of 600,000 inhabitants.

The scenery is unforgettable and the climate worthy of any resort on the French Riviera.

THE CUISINE IS MAINLY INDIAN AND KASHMIRI, CONTINENTAL DISHES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE

Inside the Intercontinental hotel: heated swimming pool, sauna, gym, whirlpool, massages facilities, beauty shop.

Once per week, we are invited in Ali Shah’s family for a typical Kashmiri dinner served as per the tradition.

The hotel cooks do not show a great interest for the Swiss « fondue »...

The hotel in the quietness of the night.

Lounge in one of the hotel suite.

Hotel bar opened from 5pm on.

Inside the Intercontinental hotel: heated swimming pool, sauna, gym, whirlpool, massages facilities, beauty shop.

Once per week, we are invited in Ali Shah’s family for a typical Kashmiri dinner served as per the tradition.

The hotel cooks do not show a great interest for the Swiss « fondue »...

TRAVELLING

ADVICE :

For the ski we advise the same clothing you would wear in the Alps or the Rockies. Après-ski wear is casual and sporty. For the outings in Srinagar, sneakers and/or loafers are recommended since all the streets are not tared.

FORMALITIES :

A visa is required and can be obtained from any Indian Embassy of Consulate. No vaccinations are required.

THE JOURNEY :

OUTWARD : Departing Friday late afternoon for Delhi on regularly scheduled flight (Air France, Swiss, Austrian, Air India). Flight time is approximately 8 hours. Arrival on Saturday morning.

NEW DELHI : Once you are through customs with your luggage, our handling agent, Sea & Sky, will receive you and transfer you to the domestic airport for onward flight to Srinagar (1 hour flight). Departure: around 11 am.

When arriving in Srinagar, Himalaya Heliski staff will be waiting for you and transfer you to Grand Palace Intercontinental hotel (15 to 20 min.).

Your will not have to wait for you luggage which will be taken care of and brought directly to the hotel.

RETURN : Departing Saturday afternoon for Delhi, overnight in Delhi (if required). Departure for Europe on Sunday morning. Arriving back in Europe during the afternoon.

The ones wishing to extend their stay in India may address directly our agent in Delhi: Sea & Sky Tel: +91-11-266 81 027 Email: sst@bol.net.in

PACKAGE PRICE FOR THE 2009 SEASON

6th FEBRUARY TILL 3rd OF MAY

Your package deal includes 6 days of heliskiing with unlimited ski runs, technical assistance and guides, the return flight, all the transfers, one hotel night in Delhi (if required), full board accommodation (picnic lunch in mountain), i.e. per person:

8 950 € in Eco class (allowance of 20 Kg)

11 250 € in Business class (allowance of 30 Kg)

Are not included: beverages (except tea, coffee served during the meals), telephone, fax and internet communications.

For the non-skiers wishing to travel with the skiers, Himalaya Heliski offers a special package. This package includes : return flight, full board accommodation, an helicopter flight of about 1 hour over the Himalayan range, i.e. per person:

2 950 € Euros in Eco class

4 450 € Euros in Business class

GUARANTEES:

Himalaya Heliski guarantees 4 days of heliskiing during the stay with no limit on the amount of vertical drops. Should this contract not be fulfilled, Himalaya Heliski undertakes to reimburse its clients with the sum of 950 Euros per non skiing day, in this 4 days limit. A maximum amount of 3,800 Euros is refundable. In particular instances, Himalaya Heliski maintains the right to use Saturday to fulfill its obligation.