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On
days when you come in early or we are
unable to ski, the surrounding countryside
provides ample opportunities for shopping,
walking, photography, exploring the
local culture or just relaxing. Many
guests have commented that they would
have arranged their itinerary to include
more time in the Kullu valley had they
known of the variety of activities that
are available there.
The
lower reaches of the Himalaya have been
inhabited by the local Pahari folk for
eons. No one knows when they first came
to the area. Many of the local temples
are revered as sacred spots by people
throughout India. In the summer months
it is common to meet pilgrims who have
travelled from all over India. In winter
the locals have less agricultural work
and spend much of their time finishing
household chores such as spinning wool
and weaving ( the valley is renowned
for woolen handicrafts). In addition
to completing domestic chores the winter
provides an opportunity for the fulfilment
of religious obligations. As a result
many religious celebrations are performed
throughout the winter months.
Village life in the valley is little
changed from that of many centuries
ago. Greater education and exposure
to outside ideas have not changed the
outward appearance of life in the villages.
Outside opportunities have not lead
to an exodus from the valley, and few
who have been born in the valley ever
leave it permanently. HHS employs a
"cultural interpreter" to
organise tours to villages and to explain
the sights. These activities are what
sets HHS aside from other heliskiing
operations. We would like to show our
guests what we can of the charm of a
different pace of life, and hopefully
explain some of the underlying philosophies.
Nikolai Roerich, a Russia emigre artist
and explorer, lived in the valley in
the 1920s. When Yuri Gagarin (the first
man in space) was asked what the earth
looked like from space, he said "I
feel like I am looking at a Roerich
painting." One of the largest collections
of Roerich paintings is housed at a
place called Naggar, where Roerich established
a small artistic community. Viewing
the paintings in Naggar, where some
were painted, puts the images in a different
perspective as opposed to viewing them
in a museum or private collection.
Hot springs, temples, art galleries,
the local ski field (very small), bootleggers,
Tibetan monasteries, the Manali bazaar
and many other exotic sights await you.
The Himalaya is not just a ski experience
but a complete cultural experience.
This means that any non-skiing days
will not necessarily be wasted idling
in the lodge, with the outside temperatures
preventing ventures out of doors.
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