Recommended Season: 25th of December and runs through to March.

 

Height: 4124 m

 

Difficulty: Hard

 

 

Gulmarg is a small isolated hill-village situated in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir at the western extremity of the Himalayas in a subsidiary range called the Pir Panjals. It is 56 miles from Srinagar, the state capital.

The town is within the Himalayas and is within miles of the Line of Control between India and Pakistan.

 

The old name of Gulmarg was "Gaurimarg", the name of Lord Shiva's wife. Yousuf Shah Chak changed its name to Gulmarg, meaning the place of roses.

Due to its geographic location Gulmarg gets some of the heaviest snowfalls in the Himalayas and it has earned the distinction of being the best ski resort in the Himalayas.  Skiing was first introduced to Gulmarg by two British Army officers who established the first ski club in 1927.

 

The village itself sits in gently undulating meadows high above the Kashmiri plateau at about 2,700m.

 

Due to its geographic location Gulmarg gets some of the heaviest snowfalls in the Himalayas and it has earned the distinction of being the best ski resort in the Himalayas. The best conditions are usually found for just 6-8 weeks from the start of January until the middle/end of February although the season can start as early as mid-December and run into March.

 

Gulmarg is the perfect venue for natural, wild, backcountry and off-piste skiing for intermediate to expert level skiers and snowboarders. From the top gondola station, the upper slopes and bowls of Apharwat are wide and open whilst thick conifer forest covers much of the remaining area. If you are prepared to boot pack the 30 minutes (or so) to the summit of Mt Apharwat you’ll be rewarded not only with some awesome powder turns but also with spectacular views across the Kashmir Plateau to Nanga Parbat (8126m) the most westerly eight thousands and the ninth highest mountain on Earth.

 

The main activity for a tourist in Gulmarg is skiing. One can enjoy skiing in the long and high slopes of the snowy mountain ranges and experience a difference.

 

There are two areas for skiing: the high mountain/off piste areas served by the gondola; and a beginner's area near the hotels sited on the hills of the Gulmarg golf course.

 

The high mountain ski lift is open from approximately 8:30 to 3:30 daily. However, ski rentals are not available before about 10 AM, and the equipment is very low quality, so if you are an excellent/off piste skier who wants to ski all day, bring your

own equipment.

 

The beginner’s area is open from 10-1, then closes for lunch until 2:30. Lifts reopen 2:30-4.

 

Gulmarg is comparable to the higher areas of Whistler/Blackcomb. The snow is good powder. Maps are found at the avalanche bulletin at the gondola.

 

It is very easy to exit the ski area boundary into the wild terrain where no avalanche control has been done by the ski patrol. A non-profit avalanche centre puts out a daily bulletin and teaches avalanche courses. Some are free, like the avalanche awareness talk which is really helpful. With its gondola accessible ski area on Mt. Apharwat, 4'124m it offers many possibilities for descents of up to 1'800 vertical meters.

Near Area to Visit:

 

 

State: Jammu and Kashmir

 

Location: 80 km from Srinagar in Kashmir Valley

 

Area: 3 sq. km

 

Languages: Kashmiri and Hindi, English.

 

Sonmarg, renowned as “The meadow of gold”, is yet another spectacular place to get rid of the scorching heat of summer season. Sonmarg is a tranquil place set amongst the glaciers and azure lakes, Sonmarg is a place adorned with large trees of fir, silver birch, pine and alpine flowers. The turquoise and chilly water of Sind river that meanders through the region, enhance the beauty of Sonmarg. Similar to Gulmarg, Sonmarg is also a paradise for both the tourists and the adventure buffs.