Skiing in Gulmarg
Gulmarg prides itself as one of the highest lift-served ski resorts in the world. This is laregely due to setting-up of a Gandola Cable Car Lift from Gulmarg to Apharwat top. The first section of the Gandola, from Gulmarg to Kongdori gives a downhill ski run of about 3 kms. In addition, three ski lifts and one chair lift also service the resort, which are suitable for beginners and intermediate-level skiing, respectively.
The skiing season in Gulmarg usually commences before Christmas (around middle of December) and continues till middle of April. In January-February, 1998 the first National Winter Games of India were held at Gulmarg, for which the facilities were enormously improved and upgraded. The resort acquired two Kasse Bohrer snow beating machines used for preparing skiing slopes, and five snowmobiles, which can be made available for going up the mountain (in reality, would they be??). Good quality equipment, including skis, boots, sticks, gloves and goggles are available on hire on the spot from the Government-run ski and other rental shops. There are also trained instructors available for guiding the tourists. Gulmarg is ideally suited for learning skiing, as it is probably the cheapest ski resort in the world.
The Tourism department is organizing National Winter games from February 17 to February 22, 2008 at Gulmarg. In which about 500 players are participating.
The upper gondola (phase 2) to Mt Apherwat is the prime attraction for skiers, hikers. The cable car ascends 1,330 vertical metres to a height of nearly 4,000m. The first phase, from Gulmarg to the Kongdori mid-station 300m above costs Rs100 each way, or Rs500 for the day. Phase 2, to nearly 4,000m at the ridgeline of Mt Apherwat, costs Rs250 each way. A day pass is Rs1,000.
The gondola operates both during winter and summer, with times when its taken off for planned or unplanned repairs, including for inclement weather. It is possible to hike or take a pony, depending on the season. For the ski season, J&K Tourism (www.jktourism.org) also operates two lifts on the snow-covered golf course in Gulmarg proper. Lifts are about Rs60 for a full day’s use and Rs40 for a half-day.
You can learn golf for Rs250 a day, which is as low it can get anywhere in the world. Taking lessons is very common for local Kashmiri population. For foreigners www.skihimalaya.com.au conducts some tours that are albeit expensive.
Sample costs:
- You can get a government guide for Rs1,000.
- Skis and snowboards with bindings cost Rs500 per day; get them cheaper from J&K Tourism’s ski rental shop.
- Boots, skis and sticks (or board and boots) Rs250 a day.
- Goggles and gloves for an additional 50 bucks.
- Discounts at half off for under 12 of age and students
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June 25th, 2007 at 12:07 am
Planning on skiing in Gulmarg – check out this blog: http://teamtaconnaz.blogspot.com/2007/05/gulmarg-video.html
September 16th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
hi, where is the best place to stay? are all the hotels in one area? is a week long enough?
September 23rd, 2007 at 11:35 am
How much you want to stay depends on your overall plan. If you are travelling but skiing is not on your mind (that is, also snow is not ready), a week is probably too long. Tourists generally do a 2-3 days trip to gulmarg from Srinagar. But if you want to relax and do sighseeing patiently, a week would be good too.
Similarly, hotels catel to all budgets. Good ones are Highlands Park, Hilltop.
November 20th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Gulmarg is highest ski point in the world at 11,500 feet and gives you a single run of 6.5 km all the way down. Can you ask for more?????
And it boasts spectacular views of K2, Nanga Parbat and Nunkun.
November 25th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
At Gulmarg, a day on the slopes costs just Rs 250, and Rs 1,000 with a government guide. Plus, there’s that other advantage, of seldom bumping into another skier or snowboarder. If nothing else, go there to touch snow. Novel enough for most of us!
November 29th, 2007 at 9:49 am
>
Chacaltaya in Bolivia at 17400 ft is the highest ski area. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6496429.stm
April 17th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
best lplace to stay in gulmarg alpine ridge ski inn and out from hotel 2 mins run to g1 gondolla
July 10th, 2008 at 2:02 am
Where can i find a list of places to stay and what they charge? i am looking for 3 weeks accomm in Feb that is budget. I’ve heard that there are beds upstairs from the ski shop. How can i find out if they are available and what cost? Or anything else similar. Prefer a local experience as oppossed to “Western Style”
July 16th, 2008 at 3:13 am
Chech out http://www.himalayanpowderdreams.com/ and choose from menu Hotels or Ski shop under Gulmarg, there was some contact information. This place sounds awesome! Anyone been there the past 07/08 season?
July 30th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Hotels are in three main areas relative to the golf course: west (Highlands Park, Alpine Ridge), east (Hilltop, Green Heights), and north (Hotel Kingsley). I was at the Hotel Alpine Ridge for six weeks last winter and from only it and the Pine Palace can you ski or ride down to the gondola. In general, the closer you are to the gondola, the farther you are from the market area, the bus and jeep stands, and Bakshi’s restaurant. Hope to see you next winter!
If you are interested in reading about last winter check out Gulmarg 07/08:
http://gulmarg0708.blogspot.com
If you are interested in planning next winter check out Gulmarg 08/09:
http://gulmarg0809.blogspot.com
September 11th, 2008 at 6:18 am
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February 5th, 2009 at 9:34 am
i opted for peter robinsons ski himalaya option and trust me it was just waste he accomodated me in grand mumtaz god the burning smell usd to kill me and half burnt building in front of me every time i come in and go out ridiculous hes just after money folks mind this
February 5th, 2009 at 9:36 am
ski himalaya they show you one thing and put you in another
for best frauds visit http://www.skihimalaya.com
February 22nd, 2009 at 12:06 am
SKI HIMALAYA SUCKS
July 7th, 2009 at 6:24 am
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May 14th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
Hello, Namaste, Asalam-u-Alaikum, Satsiryakaal Travelers,
Kashmir Tour and Travel. (India) Welcomes you !!! http://www.kashmirtourandtravels.com
Kashmir is an emerald valley, cradled in the Himalayas, under crystalline blue skies, and against the backdrop of snow capped mountains. It has been praised enormously for its beauty aptly called ” The Heaven on earth” .
A destination for Tourist of all Ages throughout the year, Kashmir is known all over the world as “ The Paradise On Earth”. The Great Mughal Emperor exclaimed “Gar Firdous Bar-ru-e-Zamin Ast ; Hamin Ast , Hamin Ast Hamin Asto”. Meaning if there is paradise on this earth : This is it, this is it, this is it.
Kashmir is destination for ….
Fishing, camping, trekking, Horse-riding,
Biggest Flower gardens and vast Greenland,
Best skiing Slopes of Gulmarg during wintertime,
Golfer to play his best at the highest golf course in Gulmarg,
Trekker to hike the Himalayas,
Honeymoon couple to enjoy their married life on the serene waters in Houseboats
or under the soothing shades of Mighty Chinar Trees.
Special Kashmir Package Charming Kashmir Tour
Honeymoon in Kashmir Kashmir Alpine Tour
Chill out in Kashmir Kashmir Hillstations Tour
Skiing in Kashmir Vaishnodevi Yatra Tour
Kashmir Scenic Journeys Sri Amarnath Pilgrimage Tour
Pilgrimage in Kashmir Kashmir Angling Tour
Kashmir – Fishing Delight Kashmir Nature Tour
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June 16th, 2010 at 12:55 am
thanks to you for the last new entry.
September 21st, 2011 at 11:19 pm
New ski lift from kangdoori to merry shoulder inaugurated .we look forward to a great winter season..
February 2nd, 2012 at 12:28 am
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