Skiing & Snowboarding

Nepal has no skiing resorts and hence any skiing or snowboarding in Nepal has to be backcountry and exploratory. The snowline in popular routes is far too high to allow for long periods required to develop a good ski industry. Also the remoteness of the locations means difficulty in transportation. But these conditions are best suited for those who are beyond just holiday skiers and love the excitement and thrill that backcountry skiing and snowboarding offers.

Also this trip allows you to ski at the top of the world, higher than any ski slopes in most of the ski destinations. This trip combines the best of backcountry snow in peak winter when the snowline is lower and also includes a visit to the legendary Everest Base Camp, arguable the most renown trek in Nepal and probably the whole world. The trips will be led by Alex Stickelberger, a fully qualified ski instructor and former member of the Austrian National Ski Team and assisted by Gyalzen Sherpa, who has been skiing in France and is from Namche Bazaar, the most popular destination in the route.

As all ski locations are over 4000+m, safety will be of prime concern and all precautions will be taken to avoid altitude sickness through appropriate acclimatization at lower altitudes. The route lies in the highest wildlife reserve in the world, the Sagarmatha National Park. It covers an area of 1,148 sq. km. of Himalayan ecological zone. The park altitudes range from 2,845m at Monju to the top of the world, UNESCO listed the park as a World Heritage Site in 1979 for its unique natural, cultural and landscape characteristics.

A trek in this region takes one to the foothills of the mightiest of the mountains in the world. Enroute, one traverses through rhododendron and pine forests, rivers, Sherpa villages and Buddhist Monasteries from temperate to snow line regions. The Himalayas are best seen on this trek as one traces the main route through the Khumbu region from the Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar. Trekkers get a close view of the world's greatest mountains, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Thamserku, Tawache and others.

The most famous among the Himalayan people are the Sherpas, who inhabit the Everest Region. Because of their impeccable mountaineering skills, they are an indispensable part of mountain expeditions as leaders, guides and porters. As an individual or in groups, they have set records of many 'firsts' in the mountaineering world. Due to their close affinity to Tibet, in trade, tradition and tongue, the Tibetan influence in their living style is quite distinct. The Sherpa people follow the Nying-mapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The famous Tyangboche and other monasteries are the common gathering place to celebrate religious festivals such as Dumje and Mani Rimdu.

Interesting extensions to a trip to this region can be cultural walks in the Kathmandu Valley, a two day rafting trip on the Bhote Kosi, or a three day Chitwan Wildlife Reserve Rhino safari.