Experience skiing tour in Kashmir

Skiing in Kashmir

Skiing in Gulmarg - a wonderful combination of incredible powder skiing and the unique culture of India - one of the world’s greatest adventure skiing experiences!

Skiing in the Himalayasis one of the major attractions for adventure loving tourists. Gulmarg, the best skiing base in the Himalayas, was first founded by the British in 1927 in Gulmarg.

Two British Army Officers, Maj. Metcarp and Maj. Hadow set up the Ski Club of India at Gulmarg in 1927. Snow Skiing has been popular in the state of Jammu and Kashmir since then. Before independence, two skiing events used to take place annually at this ski resort during both Christmas and Easter. The skiing season in Gulmarg starts around mid-December and ends around the mid-April. One of the draws of skiing tourism in Kashmir is the friendly atmosphere of the valley. Also, it is probably the cheapest ski resort in the world, making it quite suitable for learning purposes too.

Gulmarg boasts of being one of the highest lift-served ski resorts in the world. A Gandola (cable car) Lift has been built to travel from Gulmarg to Apharwat top. However, at present, only the first section of the Gandola, from Gulmarg to Kongdori, is operational. This ride to Kongdori provides a downhill ski run of about 3 km. The other services available in the Gulmarg ski resort are three ski lifts suitable for beginners and one chair lift suitable for intermediate-level skiing. Gulmarg ski resort has achieved many accolades in the past. The first National Winter Games of India were organized at Gulmarg Ski Resort only, in January-February, 1998.

Winter view of Gulmarg

Around the middle of December, before the Christmas, the skiing season in Gulmarg usually commences, which continues till the middle of April. In January-February, 1998 the first National Winter Games of India were held at Gulmarg, for which the facilities of the skiing resorts were highly improved and upgraded. The resort had two Kasse Bohrer snow beating machines used for preparing skiing slopes, and five snowmobiles, which are used for going up the mountain. Good quality equipment, including skis, boots, sticks, gloves and goggles can be hire on the spot from the Government-run ski shop. There are also experienced instructors available for supervising the visitors. Gulmarg is ideally acceptable for learning skiing, as it is probably the cheapest ski resort in the world.

Heli-Skiing

In the recent past, a famous French skier Sylvain Saudan, had started Heli-skiing in the Himalayas for the European skiers. This arrangement has been suspended for the time being.

The most enthusiastic aspect of a winter stopover at Gulmarg is the friendly atmosphere.