Rolling (and flying!) in Solang

by Laurel Tuohy

Twosomes attached to colorful parachutes glide through the air while muffled screams escape from giant, clear plastic balls that roll down the hill with people inside having the time of their lives.

Arriving at Solang Pass is like landing on another planet. The large, grassy hill lies 30 kilometers outside of Manali and is ground zero for the area's extreme sports such as paragliding (sailing through the air under a parachute), zorbing (rolling downhill in a giant, inflatable ball) and, in the winter, snowboarding.

For those who like less extreme experiences from their vacations, the site also offers horseback rides, trampoline jumping, people-watching and the opportunity to have your photo taken - for a few rupees, of course- with every oddity from a giant bunny to a family in traditional Punjabi dress.

Manali has long been famed for its beautiful views, crisp mountain air, shopping and relaxing. In the last five years, however, the locale has upped the ante by introducing all manner of extreme sports from those mentioned above at Solang Pass to heli-skiing, trekking, white-water rafting, and rock climbing.

The drive out to Solang is as enjoyable as the hours you'll spend sporting and enjoying the hill. Whether you go by car or are lucky enough, as I was, to get a ride on the back of someone's motorcycle - the views are phenomenal. The ride out to the hill winds and curves through the mountains and past dozens of quirk shops selling 1970's-chic, one-piece snowsuits.
 
After the sporting is over, chill out on the hill with a chai and some biscuits to watch the world go by. Touts peddle inflatable toys and cotton candy while old men offer rides on their ponies around the field or up to the temple beyond.

All over the hill young couples on dates, extended families and vacationers from all over the world pose prettily for "a few snaps" taken by their friends or the wandering, dubious "professional" photographers that work the hill.
 
A day at Solang will provide wonderful vacation memories. Whether you go home with gorgeous photos or crazy stories about zorbing to tell your friends - it's an experience you won't soon forget. Don't be surprised, in fact, if your buddies organize an impromptu trip to the hill after hearing about how much fun you had.

Oh, and if you want to enjoy Solang for more than a day and get away from the crowd in Manali, you can stay at Iceland Hotel, in Solang Village. It's the perfect accommodation if you are looking to immmerse yourself in nature, and the incredibly friendly stuff will help you organize all sorts of trecks and excursions, from climbing the highest peaks to biking all the way to Leh.