Sunday, December 15, 2013

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.

This resort, named for the nearby village, is located in north India, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is positioned in a range of the lower Himalayas, the Pir Panjal mountains. The secluded village is set within a valley that fills with flowers during the summer. This bounty of blooms is referenced in its name, which means a meadow of flowers, in the local language. The resort is 35 miles from Srinagar, the capital city of the state. Under good weather, drive takes about an hour and half.

The ski season begins on December 25 and extends to March. The snow is fresh powder and lots of it. It geographic location blesses it with some of the heaviest snowfalls in the Himalaya range. The snow cycle tends to be regular, snowing every seven days for two or three days dropping over a meter of fresh powder during each period. The snow remains fresh for days. Online tour operators are offering a variety of packages. These include heliskiing packages for the more daring. The heli ski experience is more expensive, but worth the price for the thrill seekers. Anyway, it is still cheaper than the cost of deluxe ski resorts in other countries.

The history of the resort can be traced to 1927, when a couple of British military officers began a ski club. However, only recently has this treasure been publicized internationally. Coverage by CNN and the New York Times has put it on the radar for a wider audience.

From beginners to experts, every grade of skiers will be able to ski here. The well groomed slopes are better for beginners and intermediate level skiers. For more skilled in this sport, there is the first phase of the locally termed Gondola. This is a medium to intermediate run of about 2.5 kilometers of groomed piste. The gondola accessible area on Mt. Apharwat at 4,124 meters offers descents of up to 1,800 meters. Heliskiing opens up greater off piste opportunities than the one lift resort provides. The foreign heliski operators are qualified.

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.

For the less conventional ski experience, maps are available near the daily avalanche bulletin posting. One can exit the primed slopes easily and enter the unprepared slopes. These have a risk potential as there is a risk of avalanches. The nonprofit which publishes the bulletin also teaches classes about this risk. Medical professionals are on hand to provide first aid. The first aid workers have the necessary transportation equipment for emergency conditions.

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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