Skiing in Kashmir - Gulmarg :
Gulmarg offers some
magical skiing. A new Gondola takes skiers to the
heights where crisp snow makes skiing a delight. Some of
the best slopes in the country for beginners and
intermediate skiers are available at Gulmarg. Skiing
equipment is available on hire from the Ski-Shop. In
winter Gulmarg's natural slopes and inclines turn into
the country's premier skiing resort. Not all tourists
who visit in winter come for skiing. Tobogganing, the
most popular among them requires no skill. No skill is
required - a flat wooden board is taken up the hill and
is allowed to descend downhill. There are also snow
scooters and snow bobbing.
In fact if one talks about skiing in J&k, it is only about
Gulmarg as it has one of the most renowned skiing resort
in Asia, when it comes to facilities and surrounding
ecstasies. It also has the distinction of being the
highest lift served resort in the world. Gulmarg is a
great place for total beginners. They can learn to ski on
the two Poma ski-lifts on the snow covered golf course.
There are slopes that are apt for people with all levels
of skills. You will see even young kids skiing on
relatively easier slopes using a wooden board and
professionals swarming on tougher looking tracks. Gulmarg
was also the host to the first winter games in the year
1998.
To start your skiing pleasure, you can choose the height
from which you are comfortable. If you think you are good
enough, step into the gondola lift and roll up to the top
of Apherwat mountain at about 13000 ft from where you can
slide down. As and when you reach the top of the mountain,
you will notice the instant difference, the place is
unimaginably quiet, exquisitely lonely and chillingly
cold. The winds exaggerate the feeling of biting in the
air. But you probably won't mind it as you will be looking
at the most spell-bounding scene you would have ever seen.
Right in front of you are the twin peaks of Nun and Kun
and to your left is an 8000 m plus mountain which is
either K2 or Nanga Parbat. After being satiated just slide
down the gentle but unpredictable slopes of Apherwat.
Skiing Facilities Available
The facilities that are available here are the best in
Asia. There are skiing schools that train the beginners on
how to handle the powdery snow and the precautions that
one must take while skiing. There are shops that give the
equipment required on hire. And the gears and sequipment
provided is as good as you will get anywhere else in the
world. There are good medical facilities as well in the
region that takes care of any mishap that occurs on the
slopes. Avalanche control facilities are also there but
they need to be stepped up a bit.
Hail-Skiing
Other forms of skiing are also practiced on the
snow-covered slopes of Gulmarg. The most famous of them is
the Heliskiing. Gulmarg resort is the only resort in
entire Asia that provides the facility of hail-skiing. In
this, you will be dropped off on the tip of the hill from
where you will ski downhill with a far greater speed than
in normal skiing. This definitely is more thrilling and
scintillating than ordinary skiing but the prospective
dangers are also higher. A person who is new to this sport
should best avoid it till he knows what skiing is all
about.
It is unbearably cold here, so better dress yourself in
the thickest woolen clothes and some waterproof material
as well. The time to come to Jammu and Kashmir for a
splendid skiing experience is from the month of December
till March end. During Christmas and easter, the number of
people that come here is simply astounding. And many of
them are coming here for second or the third time. You
might be coming here for the first time, but after your
stint with Gulmarg and its snow, you too will be one of
those who are making plans for their next skiing trip to
Jammu and Kashmir.
Skiing in Kashmir
:
Duration : 5
Nights / 6
Days
Detailed Itinerary :
-
Day 01 - Srinagar / Gulmarg (56 kms - 1.5 hours)
Check in to Hotel .Day
free for leisure
-
Day 02 - Gulmarg
Whole day skiing under
instructor's supervision
Overnight hotel
-
Day 03 - Gulmarg
Whole day skiing under
instructor's supervision
Overnight hotel
-
Day 04 - Gulmarg
Whole day skiing under
instructor's supervision
Overnight hotel
-
Day 05 - Gulmarg / Srinagar
After breakfast transfer
to Srinagar.
Day free for shopping and leisure
Overnight in Deluxe Houseboat
-
Day 06 - Departure
Transfer by car to
Srinagar airport
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