" Kashmir, I never thought a place like this could exist in such an envronment where you could ride as well. The mountains, the Himalayas are incredible and amplify all the surrounding terrain of Gulmarg. There are bowls and bowls to pick lines down. Take a guide and you will find some very sweet turns to enjoy. The guides are good value, friendly and helpful, they'll make sure you don't get too lost. They reflect the warmth of Kashmiri's, always smiling. The people are a big part of the trip, if you go your sure to have a unique time. Just remember if you do decide to go bring along any spare riding equipment or clothing. Anything you might not need anymore. It will be greatly appreciated in this part of the world and is an insignificant barter for  the magnificant experience your bound to have. Highly recommended".

We were in Gulmarg 3 years ago, a group of 5. Before the trip many Indian people advised us not to go due to the political unrest. We went regardless and were rewarded with a fantastic time.

Gulmarg is a great place to ski or board. The gradient on the slope is not fantastic tough if you are prepared to hike from the top of the gondola you can get some good vertical. The condition of the snow is great as you can imagine, with it being so high. I say its a winter wonderland a very fun mountain to be on. We had it to ourselves pretty much and were the only foreigners there apart from 1 Australian guy when we arrived and 3 other people came as we were leaving the place.

It was a very cheap trip we spent around 15$ USD a day. There are a lot of hotels to stay and the locals are friendly. One of the main men of the place a ski instructor and trekking guide Mr. Yasin who runs the Kashmir Alpine Ski Shop, a real gentleman and man of the mountain with a wealth of knowledge about the place. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a real experience of Kashmir.

I am considering a trip back there myself this year, anyone up for it?

I love the Kashmir Alpine Ski Shop. Everyone is very helpful and friendly. The equipment is in a fairly good condition. I have used them without any problem. It's a treat to have a cup of hot milk tea after a long day ride. The shop also reminds me of my school ski cabin. Fellow skiers and boarders hang out there and exchange few tips

and jokes. One night Yasin even invited me to join him and the gang for dinner. I still remember the walk from the shop back to my hotel after that night's dinner. Ido and his friend, in the Kashmir traditional poncho with the pointed hood, were so much liked Hobits rom 'Lord of the Ringers.

Gulmarg is really a world on its own. I love the breath taking

scenery, down-to-the-earth people and cool fellow skiers and boarders.

Don't expect anything similar to any other ski resorts in the West or in Japan. Gulmarg is a paradise for advance skiers and boards as it offers a great range of off-piste and back-country runs. However, as for beginners and struggling intermediates, you have to think it twice. You may either end up being an advance skier after the trip or you finish the whole cross-word book. But what the heck, going to Gulmarg should be at least a once a lifetime thing. I strongly encourage everyone to go. Forget to mention, there is hardly any apres-ski thingy. Remember to bring a lot of games, DVD and books...

Last season (January 2006) was my first visit to Gulmarg and it just so happened to be the official opening on the Gondola for the ski season.

My thoughts on Gulmarg...

The overall facilities could be much better, although i do appreciate that this was still the first official season and many lessons would have been learnt (hopefully)

The organization of the Gondola has to be to much better standards because western foreigners can't make sense of the bureaucracy that takes place in Kashmir and the rest of India, and where they have come to a place solely for skiing in spite of their home office warning them not to travel to Kashmir, the customer is being turned away from the mountain without any reasonable explanation. The prices fro the Gondola need to make logical sense too. I found them quite extortionate

There needs to be more supplies of different foods. I was disappointed that there was not enough meat supplies because the roads from Tangmarg to Gulmarg were usually blocked.
There also needs to be better communication stations (phone/internet as the ski tourist is almost in no-mans land and therefore needs to be in touch with the boring real world)

However, on the flip-side .

Gulmarg and Kashmir has to be one of the most scenic places on planet earth. People are very friendly; always smiling....food is lovely although I would prefer more choice of some of the finest meat dishes Kashmir has on offer.

As for the Apharwat Mountain, I and many others would totally agree that this has to be one of the finest places we have ever boarded on, and I have been to several resorts in the Rockies/Alps. The powder snow is unbelievable. Everyone is poke comfortably admitted that they have experienced some of the best runs of their lives.

Last season, an international snow unit came to Gulmarg for a period of 3 months to help train potential Indian snow patrol units in avalanche safety awareness and general health and safety. I only hope that these major changes take place as I am returning back to Gulmarg in Jan 2007 with some of the boys from London town, as I have made it clear to them that this place is the dogs bollocks fro ski/boarding.

A massive shout to Yasin Cha-cha and Hamed Bhai for making their dreams come true. You are truly on your way, and not forgetting Ido, who brought and introduced Gulmarg to the rest of the world. Not forgetting my crew at the Green Heights...Keep that burkha burning for my return fellas.

"The crew at Kashmir Alpine made our trip to India extremely productive and more than enjoyable.  From the moment we arrived in Delhi things were organized for us and who ever they had arranged to do so was professional and informative.  The time spent riding in Gulmarg rewarded us with amazing photos and after long days on the hill we were fed and entertained by the fine folks at the Alpine Ridge Hotel.  The food was amazing and in itself a reason to travel to  India.  Thanks to the crew at Kashmir Alpine for a trip that will always be top of the list as far as epic travel destinations."   

My experiences in Gulmarg are still only just sinking in I left  about a month ago now, but I feel like Im already on my way back. I dont know where I will be this year but at the end of it I know I will be in Gulmarg. I sort of wish Id hung on but everyone legged it basically. I climbed Apherwat   3 times, each time a mind blower. Wish Id done more. When the new gondola is finished, I cannot imagine many places in the world quite like it.... not that Ive been to many though. I'm definitely going to be back sometime in December, or wait in Goa for the first snowfall or something. I Have left my kit there and am going to come back with some boards and stuff for the Kashmir Alpine Ski Shop...  The weather was generally amazing, a lot of warm sun, either side of reasonable dumps of snow. Though we could have done with one more dump of snow at the end, and a little less snow-melting sun. But hey ho, with the new gondola finished this wont be so much of an issue.

Hamid and Yasin... Yasin is a total legend, Hamid is a funny guy, also a legend. Mohammed Yousef is also a gentleman! Ido, Cheers a lot for putting me in touch with him!! He was very nice to me and I owe this mostly to you!! I brought him some D&G aftershave, which he started wearing so I think he liked it. I wonder if he knows aftershave is mostly alcohol There were plenty of other good people too... Magbullah, Mana, Nobi, Billah, Vijay, Asadullah, Farooq, fVerdos! A lot of good times and good jokes.

All the government people I met were generally difficult. They had the winter games on for about 10 days in total, so we were trying to sort things out like a video/documentary on Gulmarg or something but they werent listening. We even had a meeting with the 'Urban Development Minister'. He invited us to breakfast, but really didnt care. Mr. Paul was also asked to coach some kashmiris, but they never got back to either of us.  Really though I guess the main 'people' problem is lack of women... but then the mountain more than makes up for this...

Snowboarding...!*$%^%^&!! . When you said, "Gulmarg is a free-riders paradise" I knew you weren't lying. It was tough going at the start. All that hiking around, all the snow, but the body responded. We just kept on finding new crazy shit! Everyday, anything possible! I think my favorite runs have to be going down to Tangmarg, loads of tight gullies and then an unusual ride back to Gulmarg in an army truck or police van. It was funny jumping into the army lorries, me with my board, them with their guns, trying to look cool.

Gulmarg is simply a special place. You could not imagine that a place like it existed, least of all in a region with such problems. Thats one of the big attractions though in a way, to go back and try and help the place out. I feel partly responsible being British, because Kashmir has been screwed over ever since Partition. This year has been a good one politically though, India and Pakistan are friends again, and hopefully for good. I had no problems in Gulmarg or Srinigar at all this year, I think i've been up there 4 times.

The powder is superb, the terrain is superb, the people are superb, and Gulmarg is an experience not to be missed.

My visit to Gulmarg was probably the best snowboarding experience of my life. I don't think you could get such a cultural experience combined with the isolated big mountain riding anywhere else in the world.

It is great for people who enjoy a backcountry experience and mostly hiking access.

Basically, it is great for advanced skiers/riders and intermediates looking to take it up a notch.

Calling it a resort is a bit of a stretch, but that is a big part of the charm of Gulmarg. With only a few other ski bumbs, it will never get tracked out.

If they open the 2^nd phase of the lift for skiers, you better get there soon, because the secret will be out and if the stability they are experiencing now continues, it could be a different place in a few years.

Oh yeah, and the 15 feet of snow in the first three weeks I was there was just sick!

After snowboarding in most of the best resorts in North America such as Whistler, Squaw Valley, Heavenly, Snowboard, etc, I got to the conclusion that Gulmarg, is the most amazing place for snowboarding, which I have been in my life. The snow quality (only powder), and the wilderness is something that cant be replaced with anything that a regular winter resort can offer. In addition, the local people how are Moslem are beautiful people and even though that I am an Israeli; I have never got any shit from anybody about that. Instead respect and honor is what I got.

I recommend this place to anybody who loves the spirit of snowboarding.

This place is not for people who are looking for the comfort and the boring groom runs of a fancy snowboarding resort.