JEDDAH, 24 October — There are major changes under way in the Indian tourism industry. What was once considered a destination for backpackers is now also the place where travelers from the highest income brackets enjoy the utmost in luxury in some of the most exotic settings imaginable. Certainly intrepid, budget travelers are still wandering the well-beaten paths, which were pioneered for them by their “hippie” predecessors. But there is now a segment of the traveling market that is riding horses in the Aravalli hills or elephants in the deep jungle, all the while luxuriating in the comforts of Maharajas palaces and first class hotels. Helicopter skiing in the Himalayas is one such travel product. Helicopter skiing guests come from all over the world to savor superb snow in the world’s greatest mountain range without any of the compromises to safety or quality that one might have once expected in the developing world. The helicopters are French and American made and flown by the finest Swiss mountain pilots. Guides are internationally certified Canadians, Europeans and New Zealanders. The safety systems in place not only meet current industry standards, in fact an in-house snow science research program is working to exceed them. At the base in the Kullu Valley, luxury hotel accommodations offer supreme comfort in the midst of Himalayan remoteness. Himachal Helicopter Skiing has offices in Australia, Canada and Europe and offers weeklong packages starting at $750, according to Jan Neuspiel, operations manager, HHS Canada, the Himachal Helicopter Skiing office based in Cumberland, Canada.