Gulmarg Heliski
Gulmarg Heli Skiing, India
Heli skiing anywhere in the world is fabulous, but heli skiing in India with Gulmarg Heliski is particularly spicy!
India is home to more than one billion people and is the 2nd most populous country in the world. But high up in the Himalayas in the Kashmir region, crowds are definitely not a problem. In this remote part of the world you only have to share the mountains, the vast backcountry and all that powder with a small group of people.
It goes without saying that heliskiing is the ultimate ski or snowboard experience. The helicopter flight alone is spectacular, but after you’ve finished taking photos of the amazing vistas, the ride down the mountain is even better. Virgin powder and no hordes to compete with for fresh tracks – in one word it’s “divine”!
With Gulmarg Heliski, you'll not only get the awesome heli-skiing experience, but you'll also get to experience the intrigue of India which is an added bonus for your ski holiday. It’s a land of contrast with an interesting culture. To experience the local people and their obsession with cricket and Bollywood is inimitable. India has lots of spice bazaars in the cities, but up in the mountains it’s more a case of “spicy” and “bizarre”!
Where is Gulmarg Heli-Skiing Located?
Gulmarg Heliski operates from Gulmarg Ski Village which is located in the Pir Pinjal range of the Himalayan Mountains in the Indian province of Jammu and Kashmir. Gulmarg is 56km from Srinagar, the capital of Indian Kashmir. To get there, you need to fly to Delhi and then get a domestic flight to Srinagar. The week long packages include a transfer to Gulmarg, but for the powder shot you’ll need to get a taxi or a transfer with your tour operator.
For more information on Gulmarg, see our overview of
Gulmarg.
Heli Ski and Heli Boarding Packages (2010/11 Rates)
Gulmarg Heliski have a few different options on offer.
The
Powder Shot package consists of one heli-lift and a long run. You can do multiple runs, or just do one shot to get a taste of heli-skiing. Be warned though, you’ll do one run and want to do more. The lure of heli-skiing is addictive!
One Powder Shot run includes the heli lift from Gulmarg up to 4,000 metres and the guided heli-skiing with four guests per guide. The run covers about 2,000 metres of vertical so your thighs should be aching. The package includes a taxi from the valley back to Gulmarg. The Powder Shot costs
€200 to
€275 depending upon the season (
convert here).
The
Powder Week package includes 6 days of heli-skiing with up to 35,000 vertical metres of skiing pleasure, 9 nights lodging in the Gulmarg Ski Village (twin share), all meals (plenty of hot curries!), use of powder skis, and transfers from Srinagar Airport. If inclement weather results in a no-fly day (which is about 1 to 1.5 days per week on average), they offer cat skiing and guided skiing in the protected tree areas. Guests need to BYO avalanche safety gear.
The cost for a Powder Week are from
€6,350 to
€7,000.
The other option with Gulmarg Heliski is a heli assisted ski-touring day trip. Alternatively you can do an overnight trip, staying in the backcountry in a Kashmir Shepherd hut. This is an absolutely no frills experience.
More Reasons to Heli Ski at Gulmarg
The managers and guides are very experienced operators. They’ve had many years working for a reputable heli-skiing operation in New Zealand that has high standards of safety. The staff are old hands at heli-skiing, yet Gulmarg Heliski is a new operation. Even the helicopter is brand spanking. Be one of the first to heli-ski at Gulmarg and if you’re lucky you may have the opportunity to name a first descent.
The Powderhounds hope to review Gulmarg Heliski in the near future. We are practising our cricket skills in preparation for visiting India again!
Bookings & More InformationIf you have any questions or would like to enquire about a specific date
click here.