Ski India

Skiing in India??!! Most people think of India as a hot, dusty and crowded country, where skiing would only be possible in an indoor stadium. However up in the Himalayas in Kashmir, there is an abundance of snow.

Forget Japan, India is the new "IT" place to go skiing! India will provide you with ski travel stories for the rest of your life that will not require any embellishment!

Gulmarg Ski Resort

Gulmarg is the most popular Indian ski resort for international skiers and snowboarders. There are a few other India ski resorts such as Solang Valley and Auli, but these are rather primitive relative to Gulmarg.

Gulmarg is a no-frills "ski resort" that provides a huge playground for experienced and fit riders who love powder skiing. Gulmarg is in the state of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) in northwest India at the foot of the Himalayas, 56km from the city of Srinagar. See our Gulmarg review for more information on this intriguing ski destination.

There are various tour companies that offer Gulmarg ski tours 

Heli Skiing India

India heli skiing is emerging as the new trend for powder addicts who are looking for something a bit spicy. Himalayan Heli Adventures are based in Manali and offer week long heli skiing packages, whilst there is also a Gulmarg heli skiing outfit. Heli skiing India offers the amazing combination of phenomenal powder skiing with the unique culture of an India ski holiday.

Why Ski India?

India is a fascinating country. The local people will provide hours of people watching entertainment and this goes way beyond their obsession with cricket and Bollywood. The combination of the interesting cultural experience and an awesome skiing and snowboarding adventure makes for an inimitable ski holiday. Like the curries on offer, skiing in India is very fiery!

Skiing India and Gulmarg Travel Tips

Security and Safety
The ‘Line of Control’ is a de-militarized border between India and Pakistan, which is 20km away from Gulmarg. Kashmir and Pakistan have been in conflict over the ‘ownership’ of this disputed area since the early 1900s. China is in the mix as well. Wars over this area have devastated the region and its people. During the late 1980s and 1990s, Kashmir was definitely not a safe area for tourists to visit, and since it seems to vary from year to year.

There are many troops based in the area, the Srinagar airport in particular has tight security, and the Srinagar to Gulmarg road has had a history of incidents. It is always wise to visit your government’s travel website to check the latest travel advice. The websites will generally recommend a “do not travel” to Kashmir due to the possibility of terrorism.

Many travellers to Gulmarg have felt completely safe whilst travelling, but you need to be aware of the risks and make your own decision.

Female travellers, especially if alone, may receive unwanted attention from men. The harassment can be very intimidating, and it is advised that women should avoid walking alone in deserted areas where possible, and take care on the houseboats in Srinagar.

Health
There is a high incidence of food-borne, water-borne and other infectious diseases in India. Vaccinations are recommended including Hep A, Hep B, Typhoid, Cholera, Polio and Meningitis. Check with your GP but some of these vaccinations will be required at least four to six weeks before departing.

Some travellers might suffer from “Gulmarg Guts” which is the equivalent of “Delhi Belly”. Pack the Lomotil (or Immodium) and Stemetil tablets with you. Some soft toilet paper would also be worth packing.

The one thing that sets Gulmarg apart from the rest of India is that you can drink the water from the taps without major fear of repercussions of the severe bowel movement kind. A water treatment plant was recently constructed and seems to do the job. However in the rest of India it is definitely recommended not to drink the tap water, and this includes whilst brushing your teeth or taking a shower. Boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food.

Try to avoid dogs and monkeys around the village and at Monkey Hill at Gulmarg, and definitely try not to get bitten. Occasionally snow leopards have been known to leap out at humans, so to escape, you might want to be able to ski or board really fast. Of course there’s also the very occasional “cougar” attack!

Altitude sickness is a potential health concern as the air up high in the Himalayas is a bit thin. Prevention is the best cure – see the Gulmarg facilities and health page for more information.

Language
Most of the Kashmir locals speak fluent English as well as Kashmiri, their native tongue.

Money
See the Oanda website for the latest currency exchange rates. Tips of 5-10 percent are customary, but not compulsory. 

Travel Insurance
Check your travel insurance carefully as some will not cover off-piste skiing. There is a slight risk of being a victim of terrorism, so take out the extra ski insurance to cover these options.

Electrical Adapters
The adapter required is the same as that for South Africa.

Time Zone
The time zone in Srinagar is GMT/UTC + 05:30 hour.

India Ski Gear and Clothing
The temperatures in Gulmarg are not super cold, so you probably won’t need to pack face protection. Not having to travel on cold chairlifts is also a bonus.

As good rental gear is not available, it’s wise to take your own skis or snowboard. It is possible to ski on slalom skis, but if you want to float in the moist powder, fat skis with a waist wider than about 100mm are ideal. Snowboarders may require snow shoes or ideally take a split board.

You’ll definitely need a helmet and goggles and avalanche safety equipment.