Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Skiing In Kashmir Gulmarg Is For Skiing Enthusiasts

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By Jeannie Chapman


An amazing vacation is promised for skiing in Kashmir Gulmarg and its glorious slopes of fresh powder. Vacationers will cherish their experiences of rushing down the most vertiginous slopes on the planet. The cozy comforts of the hotels do not compete with sophisticated winter resorts. But, for pure skiing pleasure, the sophisticated venues will suffer in comparison.

The resort is named after the village in Jammu and Kashmir, a state in northern India. It is situated in the secondary Himalayan Pir Panjal mountain range. The village is secluded within a valley that in the summer turns into bloom filled meadows. It is fittingly named as its moniker means a flower meadow. It is located 35 miles from the state capital, Srinagar. On a good weather day, it is a 1.5 hour drive by car.

The ski season begins on December 25 and extends to March. The snow is fresh powder and lots of it. It geographic location blesses it with some of the heaviest snowfalls in the Himalaya range. The snow cycle tends to be regular, snowing every seven days for two or three days dropping over a meter of fresh powder during each period. The snow remains fresh for days. Online tour operators are offering a variety of packages. These include heliskiing packages for the more daring. The heli ski experience is more expensive, but worth the price for the thrill seekers. Anyway, it is still cheaper than the cost of deluxe ski resorts in other countries.

The historical roots of this resort go back to 1927, officers in the British army set up a club for skiers. Yet, it has gained international notice only recently. News coverage by CNN and the New York Times has publicized its presence to the broader public.

From beginners to experts, every grade of skiers will be able to ski here. The well groomed slopes are better for beginners and intermediate level skiers. For more skilled in this sport, there is the first phase of the locally termed Gondola. This is a medium to intermediate run of about 2.5 kilometers of groomed piste. The gondola accessible area on Mt. Apharwat at 4,124 meters offers descents of up to 1,800 meters. Heliskiing opens up greater off piste opportunities than the one lift resort provides. The foreign heliski operators are qualified.

Equipment can be rented at very affordable rates. But picky western holidaymakers may want to use their own equipment, because they may not be content with the standard on offer. Heliski operators provide superior quality deep powder skis, but skiers should use their personal boots.

Maps are provided at the avalanche bulletin at the gondola. It is easy to leave the ski area boundary to go off piste into the wild terrain. This can be risky as the area can be avalanche prone. A nonprofit avalanche center publishes a daily bulletin and offers avalanche courses. Doctors and ski patrol personnel are on hand to provide first aid, if needed. The medical staff is also equipped with snow mobiles in case of medical emergencies.

The diverse options available for skiing in Kashmir Gulmarg expand the possibilities. According to a study, this past time contributes to personal happiness. Even infrequent skiers benefit from the activity. But, the most is gained by those able to switch off from their real life worries. A vacation here will certainly encourage visitors to immerse themselves in the experience.




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