Narkanda Skiing
Distance : 64km from Shimla
 Narkanda
is basically a transit point between Shimla and Rampur, along a hill
road with superb views. It’s a popular holiday spot, especially
for those who enjoy hiking and skiing.
Located among fragrant pine forests, it has a ski resort at 2,700m.
The skiing season starts at the end of December and goes on till early
March. There’s a choice of slopes ranging from a beginner’s
run and slalom to the sharper descents for the experienced skier.
¤ Hattu Peak-- Perfect Location For Camping
Hattu Peak (a 7km trek) forms the backdrop to Narkanda and is a great
place for camping. There’s a small Devi Temple perched on the
peak which is manned by priest in summer.
An annual summer fair is held in May as a tribute to the mountain and
its Devi. A jungle track from the temple leads to a mountain top
meadow called the Joh Bagh.
¤ Its Attractions
During the good old days Hattu Peak was the boundary between three
different kingdoms. The warring Gurkhas conquered the region in the
early 19th century and established a Gurkha Fort here. It was to
dislodge them from their forts that the British established
cantonments at Jutog and Kotgarh and founded Shimla.
If you happen to visit Narkanda on a holiday trip, look out for an
old Gujjar tribal Jabbar-Ud-Din midway along the road from Narkanda to
Thanedar. He is an old man who spends his summer in this place every
year, tending his livestock. An interesting figure, he is very popular
because of his knowledge of medicinal herbs that grow in this area. He
often prescribes herbs to people for their ailments.
Note : The HPTDC office in
Shimla or the HPTDC’s Tourist Bungalow in Narkanda can provide
details of current skiing courses, skiing holiday packages.
¤ Accommodation
Hotel Hattu is good for a day or two.
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