Gulmarg
Gulmarg India
So you’re a mad keen ski or snowboard enthusiast. You’ve chased face shots all over the globe. You’ve ticked off all the big mountain skiing in Europe, partied until dawn in the
South America ski resorts, worn a snorkel in the cranium deep pow in Japan, nut-crackered your way through all of the
New Zealand club fields, supped on all the USA action from Lake Tahoe to Colorado, and scorched the credit card whilst creaming your thermals in the deep snow that all of the
Canada heli skiing &
BC cat skiing operations have to offer. What’s a powder junky to do?
How about a journey to a place that combines big mountain skiing, powder, backcountry, avalanches, men with guns, poverty, filth, driving chaos, random acts, culture, hawkers, Russians, beggars, colonialism, Ukrainians, monkeys, and culinary mysteries all into one?! Gulmarg in Kashmir (the Indian part of Kashmir at this point in time!) is this place. One visit here WILL give you stories that will be retold for the rest of your life without the need for embellishment.
Gulmarg Skiing Terrain
Gulmarg is a big ski hill service by one gondola, and you are going to have to get the lungs going to make the most of it. The lift tops out at about 4,000m with the summit of Mt Apharwat another couple of hundred metres above that, which provides 1,500+ metres of vertical. Some of the bowls off the summit have a straight 1,200 metres of thigh-destroying vertical descent.
The amount of terrain is virtually unlimited and includes alpine bowls, chutes, cornices, glade skiing amongst ancient pines, and glacier skiing without the glacier(!). That’s not to mention the epic ski journeys down to some of the local shrines and villages which add a whole new dimension to the terrain.
The Gulmarg skiing and snowboarding is suited to advanced and expert riders who enjoy off-piste backcountry terrain. Gulmarg is definitely not the place for beginner or intermediate riders. Gulmarg is also best appreciated by those with a propensity for hiking and skinning, and laid-back riders who can cope with an “adventure”.
Guides & Gulmarg Ski Tours
Due the nature of the terrain, the avalanche risk, and the complexity of some of the exits, it is highly recommended to engage the services of a quality guide. There are many different guides available in Gulmarg and they include Australians, Americans, British, Kiwis and local Kashmiris. Most offer a variety of packages which in addition to guiding services tend to include all local transfers, accommodation, and most meals. Some operators will also provide access to snow safety equipment.
Another great guiding service is led by Mt Hotham ski patroller, Bill Barker. Bill and his experienced team have exceptional local knowledge and earned the respect of the locals when they assisted with the set up of the Gulmarg ski patrol several years ago.
Bill’s Trips offer a 14 day Gulmarg adventure that includes guiding, accommodation, lift tickets, transfers and sightseeing tours.
Where is Gulmarg?
Gulmarg is located in Kashmir which is to the extreme north west of India. Whilst Indians call it part of India, Kashmiri’s definitely do not.
The gateway airport for Gulmarg is the Kashmir capital of Srinagar which is a couple of hours drive from Gulmarg. From the airport, tour operators provide transfers or independent travellers can catch a taxi. The journey is eye-popping to say the least! See our
Gulmarg travel page for more information.
Gulmarg Hotels
Gulmarg hotels are a bit of a magical mystery tour. Choose Gulmarg accommodation poorly and you may suffer. Choose wisely – nirvana. All the basic facilities are available but remember that this is Kashmir, not Colorado. Gulmarg is not a glitzy resort and the accommodation is certainly not 5-star. See our
Gulmarg hotels page for more information.
Why Ski or Snowboard at Gulmarg?
Did I mention stories for the rest of your life without the need for embellishment?! The combination of the terrain, snow, culture, people and the weird and wonderful random acts make Gulmarg a must do at least once while your heart’s still beating. Do it soon before anyone else discovers it.
India Ski Tours
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14 Day Gulmarg Tour - Bill's Trips
When it comes to skiing Gulmarg in India, Bill Barker has the experience to make sure you have a safe & memorable adventure. Inc guiding, lift tickets, accommodation, transfers, Dal Lake stop over ++
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