Gulmarg.org

On way to Gulmarg and Gondola in winters

suresh — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:44:45 +0000

Gondola base surrounded with fresh snow powder

Beautiful picture - on way to Gulmarg (from Flickr)

Gulmarg’s last skiing course for the season

admin — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:44:18 +0000

Courtesy - etala’at
Gulmarg, March 31:The snow ski course organized by the Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, University of Kashmir was concluded today at world famous ski resort of Gulmarg.

Thirty students from various colleges and post-graduate departments of the Kashmir University took part in basic, intermediate and advance skiing courses.

The 11 day long course of skiing started on March 20th and was the last regular ski course at Gulmarg.

The preliminary training was imparted to the participants on beginner slopes at Gulmarg and the advanced skills were taught to the students on higher slopes at Kongdori with high degree of difficulty. The students zoomed down all difficult ski runs including the challenging Death Valley.

One of the coaches said that he alongwith the students tried to locate the Norwegian female skier who was lost in Kongdori area a few months back, but could not find any clue there.

At the end of the course the skill test was conducted which was followed by Annual Inter-College Ski Championship.

At the end of the course, the Annual Inter-College Ski Championship for Boys was held at Kongdori, Gulmarg.

The University is planning to hold the first-ever Adventure Expo in which the exhibition of different adventure sports including summer skiing, snowboarding, trekking, rock climbing, abseiling, Tyrolean Traverse, mountain biking, motor sports, river rafting, zorbing and aero sports will be held during summer, in order to promote Sonamarg as adventure destination this year. “More than 200 boys and girls of different colleges and post-graduate departments of Kashmir valley are likely to take part in the event”

Lightning stops Gulmarg Gondola operations - temporarily

admin — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:34:06 +0000

Courtesy GreaterKashmir: Gulmarg, Apr 23: The world’s highest and Asia’s longest cable car, Gondola, at Gulmarg has been damaged by lightning that struck it on Monday evening.
A major tourist attraction, the ropeway has been closed for an indefinite period, the officials said.
“The lightning has extensively damaged sensitive electric parts and control system of the Gondola’s first phase at Kangdoori. Fortunately there were no passengers in its cabins when the lightning struck it,” managing director, Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation, Javid Iqbal Panzoo told Greater Kashmir.
The MD said a team of engineers from Mumbai has started work to restore Gondola. “There is no physical damage to the Gondola but it is very difficult to repair its electric parts. We are also in touch with the foreign engineers and are working on their instructions. We can’t compromise on safety of the passengers, but we will leave no stone unturned to restore it,” he said. �
The ropeway was set up by the internationally acclaimed French cable car company, Pomoglaski, in collaboration with state government and its first phase up to Kongdoori was commissioned in 1998.
The second phase of 2.5 km up to Apharwat peak situated at a height of 4390 metres is considered important for it is mostly used by foreign skiers to reach on the peak top for downhill skiing and snow boarding. �
“We can’t operate the second phase until the first phase is restored. It will hamper our restoration work,” the MD maintained. �
The Gondola has been facing frequent breakdowns since its construction. Last year, many foreign skiers were trapped inside the cabins on way to Apharwat due to technical snag in the ropeway. They were rescued after hectic efforts.
The hoteliers of Gulmarg are concerned about breakdown of the Gondola. “Due to it many of our bookings have been already cancelled. If the Gondola is not restored immediately, it will cause us huge financial loss. Tourists visit Gulmarg mainly for Gondola. The State government and management of the Gondola must be equipped to keep it functioning in all conditions,” they said.�
But the MD said machines can anytime develop technical snags. “We can’t prevent lightning as it is a natural phenomenon. In the wake of the huge tourist rush, we are hopeful to restore the Gondola as soon as possible,” he added.

Winter Games Torch to reach Gulmarg on Feb 17

admin — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 08:06:02 +0000

The National Winter Games Torch which was flagged off from New Delhi yesterday by Suresh Kalmadi, President Indian Olympic Association, will reach Gulmarg on Feb 17 after going through many places - it reached Shimla this evening. The torch will be flagged off from Jammu on February 15. Gul Mustafa, the only olympian from Jammu and Kashmir State is carrying the torch.

According to news in etala’at that five junior skiers of Jammu and Kashmir have qualified the selection trials conducted by Winter Games Federation of India at Narkanda, Himachal Pradesh, and they are apparently enrolled as members of future Indian Ski team.

Also, this year the Winter Games Association of Jammu and Kashmir is bringing out a commemorative souvenir titled Gulmarg, which would be released by the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on 18th of this month. The brochure contains four articles on Gulmarg, Snow Rugby, Ski-Mountaineering, Ice Skating, a number of informative write ups and 50 images on Gulmarg and winter sports.

Water shortage in Gulmarg

admin — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 07:16:33 +0000

Preparing For Winter Games? by HAROON RESHI (GreaterKashmir)

Gulmarg, Jan 28: At a time when state tourism department is preparing to host the 5th National Winter Games at Gulmarg, its facing acute shortage of water.
“We are not in a position to provide required water to our costumers and we feel guilty when they complain of scarcity of water in bath rooms and lavatories of the hotel,” according to Bashir Ahmad, a hotel manager at Gulmarg. “We get water supply for only eight hour in a day,” he added.
A large number of foreign tourists including about 200 professional skiers from Europe and United States are present in this snow-clad resort. Bashir’s hotel has 24 rooms and all are occupied by foreign skiers. The hotel has water storage capacity of 11000 litres, which Bashir says is not sufficient to fulfil the need of guests.
“The shortage of water really makes it uncomfortable for visitors,” said Bob Halberstam who has come to enjoy Gulmarg’s glory.
While authorities admit that visitors suffer due to shortage of water but feel helpless to improve the situation. “We require more than 3 lakh gallons of water a day to meet the need and instead we get only one lakh gallons from Afarwat nullah, the lone source of drinking water in the area,” said Muhammad Ayub, Assistant Executive Engineer of Public Health Engineering Department.
He sites many reasons for the shortage of water in the area.
“Scanty rains in summer, heavy snowfall, cold nights are reasons that Afarwat nullah does not provide sufficient water in this winter,” he said.
Local hotel owners fear that the failure to provide sufficient water supply to the visitors will bring bad name to this resort. State tourism department is expecting more than 500 participants in the 5th National Winter Games being held from 18th to 22nd February.

Gulmarg gears up for Vth National Winter Games

admin — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:09:05 +0000

(from a write up by Mukesh Thapliyal -newstrackindia)

The picturesque surroundings of Gulmarg is alluring the snow dare-devils of the country in one of the heavenly places of this earth which is gearing up to the hilt for the fifth edition of the National Winter Games that is scheduled to be held at Gulmarg from February 18 to 22.

According to Winter Games Fedetion of India (WGFI) Secretary RK Gupta, a total of 11 States and union territories have confirmed their entries for the upcoming Games to be hosted by the Tourism Department of Jammu and Kashmir under the aegis of Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

The five-day event will also witness the participation of the teams, of armed forces who had played a pivotal role in taking this sport to new horizons, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, Border Security Force and Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

The event will also give a fair idea to WGFI to review the strengths and weakness of their athletes for the next Olympic Winter Games, which is to be held in Vancouver (Canada) in 2010.

The Indian skiers will also get the much-needed practice for the 2010 Vancouver Games since they will be having one more competition lining up for them prior to the mega-event as India is organising the South Asian Federation (SAF) Games in 2009 that is be going to held at Auli in Uttarakhand.

WGFI President, SS Pangtey, exudes huge confidence over his players as far as SAF Games are concerned. “India will brush away all the medals that will be at stake since we are much ahead form the other countries of the South Asian region,” acclaimed Pangtey.

The various states and union territories, which will be taking part in the event, include Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and host Jammu and Kashmir. The technical aspect of the games will be handled by WGFI itself.

The participants will be competing in six disciplines including alpine ski, cross country ski, ice-skating, ice hockey, snowboarding and biathlon, which involves two disciplines first a one kilometer round from the athletes in the snow with their skis on immediately followed by a target shooting competition, at the Games.

Govt issues advisory to hotels in Gulmarg

admin — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 13:22:20 +0000

News from GreaterKashmir - by ARIF SHAFI WANI Srinagar, Jan 7: In a bid to ensure hassle-free stay of tourists at the world famous hill station and ski resort Gulmarg, authorities on Monday issued an advisory to the hotels asking them to provide requisite services and desist from overcharging, even as cautioning category downgrading in case of complaint.
“Kashmiris are known for their honesty and hospitality. We want the tradition to be maintained. That is why we issued an advisory to all the hotels at Gulmarg to charge prescribed rates and provide all the facilities to the tourists,” Sarmad Hafeez, Joint Director Tourism told Greater Kashmir.
Sarmad however maintained that the advisory should not be looked as “warning” but a step towards promotion of tourism.
“The hotels owners of Gulmarg have to understand that it is after our hectic efforts that tourists visit the ski resort. It is the responsibility of the hotel owners to charge and provide services according to their category. If they attract the tourists with facilities like central heating, they should provide it,” Sarmad who is also incharge of the Advisory Committee for Gulmarg, said.
However he maintained that if any complaint was received against a hotel, its category would be downgraded. “For that, the particular hotel owners will be themselves responsible. As tourists are moving to new tourist destinations, we have to rise to the occasion and sustain our tourism industry which forms backbone of state’s economy. We have to deal fairly with them so that they not only visit the Valley again but recommends other too,” Sarmad said.
Sarmad said a large number of tourists are expected at Gulmarg in coming days. “We are flooded with inquiries from potential tourists and hundreds are on way to the Valley. The fresh snowfall and ski-championships will definitely attract tourists,” he said. Â
“It is a good step and we extend our cooperation to the authorities. We have always been charging the prescribed rates and even on our provide discounts to tourists to earn their goodwill and promote tourism” said Altaf Ahmad proprietor of Hotel Poshwan at Gulmarg.
Meanwhile as Gulmarg wears a festive look after snowfall these days, some skiers said they face inconvenience due to late start of the Gondola. “The Gondola should start at 8.30 am so that we can make maximum trips up to the mountain for downhill skiing,” said Stuart a skier from Australia.
When contacted Managing Director Cable Car Corporation assured to look into the matter. “Hostile weather conditions don’t permit us to start Gondola early morning. However, we have decided to start as early as possible in the wake of arrival of large number of skiers. We are geared up to meet the rush,” the MD said.

Private organized ski package tours

admin — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 11:15:25 +0000

In the recent years, many people from other countries - avid skiers themselves - who have chance ‘discovered’ Gulmarg slopes have sensed an opportunity to organize tours for others who may be interested. Owing to their efforts and the exposure they are giving to this hidden pearl in the Himalayas, Gulmarg is coming to be talked about in the ski circles. of course, they have some economic opportunity there as well, but its a huge gain for Gulmarg overall.

You should feel encouraged to visit their tour packages and see if any fits your needs:

http://www.currypowder.com.au/
http://www.himalayanpowderdreams.com/
http://backcountrysnowtours.com/
http://www.skihimalaya.com/

Ski training courses in Gulmarg

admin — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 04:36:25 +0000

This winter 14 advanced and intermediate ski training courses are being organized in Gulmarg by Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, Gulmarg, in which several students from foreign countries are also joining. Also Indian institute of skiing is also commissioning new buildings in Gulmarg.

‘International Skiing Race’ - March 2008

admin — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 08:50:23 +0000

Tourism department has proposed to host ‘International Skiing Race’ in collaboration with the Winter Games Federation of India from first week of March 2008. Tentative dates are March 1-3.