Gulmarg - Snow Skiing

Some 56km west of Srinagar and at an elevation of around 2700m, is GULMARG, whose name means “flower meadow”. The surrounding pine slopes can be ascended for a distant view of 8126m Nanga Parbat to the north, in Pakistan-controlled Baltistan. The more sedentary can ascend one of these slopes on a gondola for Rs300–800, depending how high up you go. In winter, the gondola comes into its primary usage as the means to get to the top of Gulmarg’s skiing slopes, which are underused but highly recommended for the quality of powdery snow. Equipment ($7–20) and ski intsructors ($38 for a whole day!) can be hired through what purports to be the world’s smallest ski shop, Kashmir Alpine. The same operation also runs trekking expeditions during the warmer months.

India isn’t an obvious destination for skiing but there has been a resort at Gulmarg since the days of the British Raj. Gulmarg’s legendary beauty, prime location and proximity to Srinagar naturally make it one of the premier hill resorts in the country, in addition to Pahalgam and to some extend Sonamarg in Kashmir.

While Gulmarg is an all-weather resort with refreshing summer meadows and pastoral scenes to keep the camera busy, the main reason to come here, at least in winter, is the off-piste, deep-powder, long-run skiing and snowboarding. The Himalayan resort of Gulmarg is one of the newest and increasingly popular ski destinations. Head here for the world’s highest gondola ski lift and eye-popping views great Himalayas.

In Gulmarg Skiing bring you joy, fun, adventure, and nature near you. Gulmarg is located 56-km south west of Srinagar, provides natural slopes, inclines, snow and gondola is primarily country’s premier ski resort and a favorite winter tourist destination, Ski in Gulmarg is a wonderful combination of incredible Curry powder skiing and the unique Hospitable Kashmiri culture - Which Makes it one of the world’s Most Adventurous & Memorable skiing experience one can ever have.

Gulmarg is also capital of winter game and having institute provide comprehensive training of ski.

Gulmarg beauty cannot be explained out in word. Gulmarg skiing experience gives you traditional inclination to nature. The quality of snowfall in Gulmarg is quite impressive and people around the world exploring the skiing in Gulmarg. Due to geographic condition Gulmarg has heavy snowfall in the season and known as one of the best skiing resorts in Himalayas.

In the season tourist visit from several country and enjoy the skiing at its best. Some of the leading country from where adventure visitors come to explore skiing in Gulmarg is France, Germany, Australia, Austria, Russia, New Zealand, UK, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and several other western countries.

Gulmarg skiing is just not about the incline it provide or quality of snow it has, it also give a culture transactions and give more knowledge, understanding and custom knowledge of diverse culture of Gulmarg. As Gulmarg is near the disputed area of Pakistan occupied Kashmir, you have to face a huge military intervene in the location however locals of the Gulmarg is so friendly you can simply ignore and enjoy your visit to Gulmarg.

HEALTH & SAFTY

Is Kashmir safe?

Most foreign governments have issued negative travel advisory warnings on India's state of Jammu and Kashmir due to the political unrest suffered there since the late 1980s, with various militant groups seeking independence from India , or union with Pakistan. Governments of neither country has yet been prepared to openly endorse the apparent solution (independence - for the peoples of both Indian and Pakistan controlled Kashmir) to their squabblings over Kashmir. Thankfully, public security in Kashmir has improved significantly in recent times, due in part to improving relations between India and Pakistan.

Emergency health care - how far is Gulmarg from the nearest medical facilities?

There is a local hospital at Tangmarg, 12 kilometres from Gulmarg, which offers basic medical facilities. Srinagar has a number of hospitals, including the Soura Medical Institute, which is the teaching hospital for the University of Kashmir 's medical school. The Soura Institute is located on the side of Srinagar which is closest to Gulmarg.

In the event of a serious injury or illness , one can telephone the 24-hour Alarm Centre of East West Rescue in Delhi, and seek East Wests' advice 'over the phone'. If the person requires hospital care, East West Rescue would communicate direct with the Soura Institute to advise of the circumstances of the incoming patient, and if need be, organise ground ambulance services between Gulmarg and Srinagar.

East West Rescue's emergency services include flying their specialist doctors to more remote parts of South Asia, and the evacuation of patients by air ambulance services. Emergency assistance from East West Rescue requires confirmation of cover by the injured person's insurer.

Typically all payments for East West Rescue's services (and related hospital expenses) are then made direct by the insurer. East West Rescue have kindly provided us with a List of Insurers who in past dealings with East West Rescue have provided immediate authorisation and discretion for East West Rescue to incur expenses in assisting a person in medical difficulties (including emergency air ambulance charter costs).

Do I need any medical vaccinations to visit India?

We recommend that guests seek medical advice regarding vaccinations well in advance of travelling to India. We understand that visitors should, at minimum, be up-to-date with vaccinations against Tetanus & Diptheria, Polio and Hepatitus A.

Can I drink tap water in the Himalayas - will I get "Delhi Belly"?

Gulmarg has its own recently upgraded water filtration system, so you should have no problems is you wish to drink H2O derived from pure Himalayan snowflakes! Notwithstanding these comments, many travellers continue to utilise bottled water for drinking and cleaning teeth.

Common sense suggests that this is a sensible precaution in avoiding illness during your holiday, albeit not an essential precaution.

Isn't Gulmarg the highest resort in the world - will I get altitude sickness?

Gulmarg's village is no higher than many winter resorts in the central and southern Rocky Mountains.

The top station of Gulmarg's gondola just overshadows the highest lifted points of famous destinations in Europe like Chamonix and Zermatt, which provide Gulmarg's No.1 ranking in "elevation status" worldwide. Fortunately the main contributor to altitude sickness is not the maximum altitude to which you ascend to each day, but the lower altitude at which you eat, sleep and spend most of your time. Gulmarg's village altitude is 2,650 metres, which is LOWER than a number of resorts in America (including Portillo in Chile, and the USA's Breckinridge, Copper Mountain, Crested Butte, Keystone, Taos and Telluride resorts).

Athough Gulmarg's village is only marginally within the lower elevations at which altitude sickness is typically experienced, to minimise any risk of discomfort and inconvenience from even mild altitude sickness (or simply headaches caused by dehydration), guests should take the following measures on their arrival in Gulmarg: drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and sleeping tablets, and do not over-exert yourself on the mountain on your first day or so.