Skiing In Kashmir Gulmarg Is For Ski Lovers Of All Ages

By Jeannie Chapman


An amazing vacation is promised for skiing in Kashmir Gulmarg and its glorious slopes of fresh powder. Vacationers will cherish their experiences of rushing down the most vertiginous slopes on the planet. The cozy comforts of the hotels do not compete with sophisticated winter resorts. But, for pure skiing pleasure, the sophisticated venues will suffer in comparison.

Gulmarg is a village in the north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir situated in the lower Himalaya Pir Panjal range. The village is nestled in a valley at 2,700 meters. In the summer time, the valley turns into meadows of blooms. Fittingly, its name translates to meadow of flowers. It is 35 miles and an hour and half drive from Srinagar, the state capital, weather permitting.

The skiing season commences in December and ends in March. The snow is light powder and copious amounts of it. It is situationally blessed as a destination for heavy snowfall. The snow remains fresh for days on end. The snow cycle brings regular batches of fresh every seven days for two to three day stretches leaving a meter every time. On the internet, tour operators are marketing various options. They include heliskiing expeditions for the risk takers. The heli ski packages tend to be more costly, but well worth the value for ski lovers of the adventurous kind. In any case, this option remains much less expensive than deluxe resort offerings elsewhere.

The beginnings of this resort can be attributed to two British army officers who established a ski club in 1927. Yet, it has been relatively recently that this gem was discovered by a wider audience of ski fanatics. Articles in the New York, Times, CNN indicate its rising profile.

From novices to expert skiers, there is opportunity to enjoy this unique venue. The prepared slopes are more suitable for less experienced skiers. For more qualified, the section locals call the Gondola offers two and a half km of primed piste. The ski lift accessible runs on Mt. Apharwat at over four thousand meters provide slopes of up eighteen hundred meters. Heliskiing allows more off piste possibilities than the single lift permits. The heliski operators are competent and reliable.

The equipment may be rented at reasonable cost. But western travelers may want to bring their personal equipment. The standard available may not be acceptable to some people. The heliski operator rents suitable deep powder skis, but renters should wear their own footgear.

Maps are provided at the avalanche bulletin at the gondola. It is easy to leave the ski area boundary to go off piste into the wild terrain. This can be risky as the area can be avalanche prone. A nonprofit avalanche center publishes a daily bulletin and offers avalanche courses. Doctors and ski patrol personnel are on hand to provide first aid, if needed. The medical staff is also equipped with snow mobiles in case of medical emergencies.

The variety of choices available at the skiing in Kashmir Gulmarg resort expand its potential market. Recent research has indicated that the sport contributes to personal contentment. Even irregular skiers get a happiness boost. But, the greatest benefit comes to those who concentrate on their enjoyment. The terrain and environment of this region will certainly encourage that.




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