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1) When is the best time to visit Gulmarg for skiing???
We at Kashmir Alpine recommend mid January to mid March as the best time to visit Gulmarg for skiing and ski touring purposes. Snowfall history of Gulmarg will claim January as the coldest month with less, but high quality snowfalls. February has the most snowfalls, with temperatures starting to rise. March, with snow, shows temperatures rising drastically towards the end of the month (spring conditions).
As you no doubt have guessed, weather is changing all around the world. These days, it is very difficult for any ski resort to predict an affective winter snowfall analysis.
The last few winters at Gulmarg have shone dramatic forecast changes: some winters having huge snowfalls and others having less then average. Either way, even in the low seasons there is sufficient snow to explore all of Kongdori and Apharwat slopes, slashing good powder!
2) How much time should I spend in Gulmarg to enjoy my ski vacation and explore the slopes???
Gulmarg resort is attracting a wide range of winter sports lovers Some skiers come for a week ski retreat to clear their heads from the fast world below; others stay for the entire season.
To give yourself sufficient time to explore Kongdori and Apharwat slopes, taking into consideration high altitude weather hold-ups, we would recommend a ski visit period of 2 weeks and longer.
3) What equipment to bring???
Gulmarg skiing/ boarding is all about offpist and backcountry runs! To enjoy all that Gulmarg has to offer, we recommend that you will come prepared with skis/ boards suitable for free riding/ big mountain/ powder runs.
We recommend that you have a comfortable daypack for your daily exploration and snowshoes (or any other hiking system) if exploring the backcountry is your wish.
Avalanche gear (transceiver, probe, shovel) is highly recommended. We at Kashmir Alpine can provide you all the above equipment on a rental bases (see KA Gear) please book in advance as some gear is limited.
4) Is there a ski patrol at Gulmarg???
Yes, Gulmarg resort has a ski patrol team equipped with first aid, toboggan and avalanche rescue gear. The team went through a ski patrol course. The local patrol team was trained by an international instructor team of ski patrollers and mountain guides. This international support has been taking place for the last few winters and will continue this winter.
5) Is the gondola reliable???
Gulmarg's gondola specs:
Building company: Poma (France).
Operator: Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC)
Length: 5 km
Number of towers: 18
Number of Cabins: 36
Number of stations: Base station @ 2600m, mid station @ 3040m, top station @ 3990m.
Ride time: 20 minutes bottom to top.
The gondola 1st phase was completed in 1998, 2nd phase 2005. The gondola offers skiing access in both phases.
The gondola is maintained by JKCCC under Poma regulations.
Being one of the world’s highest gondolas, Gulmarg's gondola is opening a huge mountain for exploration; however, on occasion it is facing hard mountain weather that results in a gondola system safety shutdown.
Like any other gondola, Gulmarg gondola sometimes faces mechanical problems. It is on these days we recommend to explore additional skiing terrain: monkey-hill runs, Gulmarg to Babarashi, and Gulmarg to Tanmarg. We can provide you with suitable mountain guides to lead you through these offpist runs.
6) I am a beginner snowboarder, would you recommend Gulmarg as a suitable ski vacation to work on my abilities???
Beginner slopes at Gulmarg hold a number of tow-rope lifts on runs of up to 200m. The lift system is sufficient for skiers, but not for snowboarders. We would recommend the gondola 1st phase terrain for beginners, intermediate skiers/ boarders and 2nd phase for experienced riders.
7) Is it permitted going out of bounds, to the backcountry???
It is permitted to explore Gulmarg's backcountry terrain. Gulmarg’s patrol team, patrol the 1 st phase and 2 nd phase inbound terrain. The rest is backcountry. The ski patrol will advise daily of snow conditions and avalanche risk. It is highly recommended to consult with the local ski patrol regarding your daily backcountry exploration plans, and hire a local mountain guide.
8) Im a backpacker looking to spend a few weeks in Gulmarg. are there economy accommodation options???
Gulmarg village is offering a wide range of accommodation options…
Economy backpacker stile accommodation, to comfortable and more luxuries Kashmiri style accommodation. You will not find 5-star hotels at Gulmarg ( reserve accommodation).
9) Is Kashmir/ Gulmarg safe for traveling???
In the past Kashmir was the most desired tourist destination in the Far East drawing natural and cultural tourism from around the globe. At time It was declared as heaven on earth.
Later, Kashmir suffered from a political dispute not of their making…
In 1989 a war broke out between India and Pakistan, both claiming Kashmir as their own.
Kashmir was declared one of the most dangerous places on earth. This statement and the enforced political situation brought Kashmir’s tourism to a halt.
The political situation in Kashmir is improving every year. For the last few years India and Pakistan are working on a political settlement to end the conflict and restore peace to the region. These political negotiations stopped the fighting, and brought back tourism to Kashmir & Jammu state.
This last summer 2008 Kashmir has experienced turmoil do to local government rotation. Although the past couple summer months were unsafe in Kashmir, we are expecting a great and safe winter in Gulmarg, history shoes that summer turmoil’s do not affect winter months. Please contact us for updates on current safety situation in Gulmarg.
10) How to reach Gulmarg???
Gulmarg is located 52 km from Srinagar (the capital of Kashmir).
From Srinagar You can reach Gulmarg on a 1.5 or 2 hours jeep ride (depending on snow condition).
How to reach Srinagar, you can choose from the following 3 options:
By Air: Srinagar is linked by Air to Delhi and Bombay. (Indian Airlines, Sahara, Jet Airways, spice jet, Go Air). Price: from 50 USD at winter to 100/ 120 in summer for a 1 way trip (Delhi-Srinagar). An international airport in Srinagar is in the making. International flights directly to Srinagar, Kashmir will soon be available.
By Road: Srinagar is connected to Jammu and other neighboring areas by road. A road trip from Delhi to Srinagar will take 2 days in bus or Jeep.
In winter it is better not to rely on ground transportation, as avalanches have been known to shut down the road between Jammu and Kashmir for weeks on end.
By Rail: Gulmarg is not directly approachable by Rail. Jammu is the nearest Railway Station, connected by train to all parts of the country. From Jammu it is one more day traveling by Taxi to Srinagar.
There is a railway project in the making to connect the Kashmiri valley with Jammu.
11) How to book through the Kashmir Alpine Adventures Site???
We at Kashmir Alpine Adventures have created an easy and secure online booking system for your convenience.
You can book your Gulmarg/ Srinagar accommodation, ski and snowboard rentals, mountain accessories rental, ski/ snowboard instructors, mountain guides and ground transportation.
Here is how it works:
- Register yourself in the Kashmir Alpine Adventures website by providing us with your contact details.
- Surf through our reservation pages (Accommodation, Gear & Guides, transportation), pick your vacation requirements and add them to your shopping cart.
- Submit your request through the shopping cart page.
- Kashmir Alpine Adventures will confirm your request with third parties and contact you with Advance Payment E-mail in 12 to 48 hours. You will not be asked for any payment until your request is confirmed.
- Advance Payment will be 25% of your total reservation order. Just follow the Make Advance Payment Here link on the bottom of the e-mail. The link will take you to a secure webpage where you can pay your Advance Payment through credit card, Paypal account, or by E-check (possible in selected countries only).
- Once we received your advance Payment we will send you a Reservation Confirmation E-mail.
· Reservation cancellation is possible under terms… please view our Terms and conditions for full cancellation info.
12) What currency we are using on our website???
The rates published on our website are in USD.
As we are booking your reservations in INR (Indian Rupees) we have a fixed currency conversion of 1 USD= 40 INR.
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