In the last few years Uttaranchal has become synonymous with adventure and winter sports. The Kumoan and the Garhwal have numerous rivers with snow clad mountains which have been developed as destinations for white water rafting, boating, water skiing, angling, skiing, para gliding, hang gliding etc and more tourists are heading this way every winter to experience truly unforgettable moments.
White water rafting in the untamed rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi are marked out for experts but when they merge at Devprayag to form the Ganga the rapids are more suitable for amateurs under the supervision of experts. The negotiable stretch of the Ganges is from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh where the river has 12 major rapids over 36-kms long stretch.
Many private operators have their base at Rishikesh and Shivpuri (13 kms upstream from Rishikesh) and conduct activities on the river. The Yamuna between Mori and Tuni offers rapids that tourists can brave and the Mandakini between Chandrapuri and Rudraprayag and the rapids on Kali Ganga are for professionals.Uttaranchal tourism has recently developed a 'still water' sports resort at Assan Barrage, in the Dehradun district, which is located at the foothills of the Shiwaliks and on the banks of river Yamuna. The resort is only 40-kms drive from Dehradun on the Dehradun-Chandigarh highway.
It offers activities like water skiing, speed boating, paddle boating, rowing, sailing, Canoeing and Kayaking.The large slopes of Garhwal and Kumaon covered with seasonal snow are ideal place for skiing in the winter months. Auli, 14kms from Joshimath is probably the most well known Skiing destination in this part of the world. A 3 kms long slope ranging from a height of 2519 mts. to 3049 mts is a major attraction. Dayara Bugyal 28kms from Uttarkashi, Munsyari in the Pithorgarh district and Mundali in the Dehradun district are other skiing bases in the state.
Paragliding and parasailing are other favourites among tourists. There are also parasailing activities offered in other tourist destinations in the state like Mussorie , Rishikesh, Naukutchiyatal in Nainital, Dayara Bugyal and Pratap Nagar.