Its Never too Late for Adventures: Tejaswini’s Himachal Family Trip Thrillophilia Review
“Tejaswini, I’m going to go skiing when we get to Solang Valley!”
I stared at my grandmother, thinking I had misheard her. She was sitting comfortably on the couch, watching reels of skiing in Solang. Yes, sipping chai, and watching reels on Instagram was the favourite pastime of my tech-savvy grandma.
“Skiing? Amma, are you sure?” I asked, stunned.
The rest of the family burst into laughter, thinking she was joking. But her eyes told me otherwise. And that’s how our trip to Himachal became about more than just snow-capped mountains and beautiful valleys-
It was born out of my grandmother’s adventurous spirit.
The Journey Begins
As a software engineer in Bangalore, I’m used to staring at codes and sitting for long hours in front of a screen. So, the idea of a family trip to Himachal felt like the break I needed.
I quickly did my part of research and booked a 6 Days 5 Nights tour package of Himachal from Thrillophilia. I had heard a lot of praises about the travel company and since I was travelling with my family, I wanted to go forward with a trusted name.
We packed our bags and flew to Delhi. We were then transferred to Manali which was our first stop. From the moment we arrived, the crisp mountain air and the distant snow-covered peaks lifted our spirits.
The Beas River roared alongside us, as if welcoming us to this wonderland. Amma seemed to absorb the energy around her. Her eyes gleamed every time she saw the snow-covered peaks in the distance. And every now and then, she would casually mention skiing.
The Surprise
On the third day of our trip, we reached Solang Valley. The valley was buzzing with tourists lining up for paragliding, people building snowmen, and others attempting to ski. Amma’s excitement was contagious.
She had brought along a thick woollen coat, gloves, and a knitted cap that made her look like a pro.
She wasn’t joking about skiing. This was happening.
“Amma, are you really sure about this?” one of my cousins asked as we approached the ski rental shop.
“Why not? I’ve seen enough in my life to know that fear is useless. Let’s have some fun while we’re here,” Amma replied.
So, we rented the equipment- skis, poles, boots. Watching Amma getting ready was like a determined warrior preparing for battle.
Grandma on Skis
As Amma slid onto the snow, my heart was pounding. We all stood at the edge of the beginner’s slope, nervous but excited. The instructor gave her some tips, but Amma waved him off, “I’ve seen enough of this on reels. Let me try.”
And boy, I must say, she nailed it!
Her first few moments on skis were a little wobbly- there were some close calls, but then she found her balance. Slowly, she started sliding down the slope, filled with concentration and pure joy.
“Go, Amma! You’re doing it!” I shouted, clapping like an excited kid. Other tourists paused to watch this elderly lady glide down the snow. My brother pulled out his phone to record and my cousin was jumping up and down, yelling, “That’s my grandma!”
As she came to a stop, Amma turned to us and threw her arms up in victory. We rushed to her, laughing and cheering, and she had the biggest smile on her face. “See? What’s all the tension about? It’s just like walking, but with skis!”
It wasn’t just skiing- it was her spirit. Her refusal to let age stop her from trying something new was inspiring, and I realised that no matter how old you are, adventure is always an option.
The Art of Chilling
After Solang Valley, we moved on to Kasol and checked into Kovid Camp. This place had a completely different vibe- peaceful, relaxed, and filled with cafes that served amazing food. We wandered around the village, chatting with travellers, eating at little cafes, and soaking in the peace.
At one cafe, Amma insisted on trying Israeli food. She was curious about Shakshuka and Hummus. “I might not come here again, so I have to try everything!” she said as she eagerly dipped her pitta bread into the hummus.
Kasol was a place where time slowed down. We spent lazy afternoons by the Parvati River, listening to its gentle flow, and sharing stories. Amma told us stories of her childhood, of the time when she had never imagined going on a trip like this.
The Hidden Charm
Well, Jibhi felt like stepping into a painting.
Hidden amidst dense forests, it was the perfect place to relax after all the exhaustion from the trip. We stayed in Lato Hut cottage overlooking a little stream, and woke up to the sound of birds chirping. Amma would sit by the window with her chai, just staring at the mountains, as if the mountains were telling her stories only she could understand.
Our trek to Jalori Pass was another adventure, although Amma decided to skip it and let us youngsters take on the climb. The path was steep, but the views were breathtaking. Snow-clad peaks surrounded us, and we felt like we were on top of the world.
When we returned, Amma greeted us with cups of hot chai and some homemade snacks she had brought along.
“Next time, I’ll join you,” she said, smiling at our tired faces.
On our last night in Himachal, we all gathered around a bonfire, recalling the best moments from our trip.
Amma sat next to me, quietly staring into the flames. she said in her soft voice,“Tejaswini, this trip... it wasn’t just about the places we saw. It was about the moments we shared. When you get older, you realise that it’s these moments that stay with you.”
I looked at her, feeling a lump in my throat. She was right. It wasn’t just about Himachal- it was about Amma conquering the ski slopes, trying new food, and reminding us all that life is meant to be lived fully, no matter what your age is.
Himachal had given us memories that would last a lifetime. And as for Amma? Well, she was already talking about what she wanted to try next.
“Maybe paragliding next time, Tejaswini. What do you think?”
Read more: Thrillophilia Himachal Reviews