 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi Everyone,
Another Snowheads newbie...
I'm thinking of heading to Gulmarg in India in 2010...supposed to have excellent powder skiing.
Does anyone have any recent (2008-09) experience and update on skiing, lodging, facilities, safety?
Thanks for your help.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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SMALLZOOKEEPER,
Thanks. I think a friend of mine from Vermont skied with Nick a couple of years ago in Chamonix...I'll check him out.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Hi Mike and thanks smallzookeeper for giving me an opportunity to tell you about Gulmarg.
Yes, Mike you're absolutely right Gulmarg does have excellent powder skiing... but I'd like to start by dealing with stanton's post. The security situation in Kashmir is clearly a serious consideration for anyone contemplating visiting Gulmarg. However having now skied in Gulmarg for past two seasons I have to say that neither I or any of the 40 guests who have visited Kashmir with Mountain Tracks have experienced anything on the ground to feel even remotely concerned by the security situation. Of course it is not for everyone to visit a disputed state sandwiched between two nuclear armed powers grappling with terrorism problems. But quite frankly I feel more at risk in London, Madrid or New York than Srinigar. My experience is that after 20 years of troubles 99.99% of Kashmiri's are delighted to see tourists return are I have been warmly welcomed everywhere.
I believe that currently Gulmarg is the World's ultimate lift accessed backcountry powder destination. A bold statement but as a guide with over 30 years in the business and the luck to have skied all over the world I have no doubt Gulmarg is right up there. Why? Three reasons:
1/. A reliable snow record; when it snows in Kashmir it really snows.
2/. The terrain on Apherwhat mountain is simply phenomenal; from 4100m-1700m with more slopes than the whole Chamonix valley put together, it has it all - ridges, bowls, couloirs and tree skiing I could write a whole book about.
3/. Most crucial to me, Gulmarg gives you the opportunity to put fresh tracks in all day everyday, well that's my experience of skiing 35 days there. Yes we get powder days in Europe but most big resorts are tracked out by 11am, that's if you made it up the mountain and weren't trampled in the rush for the first lift!
In that last point lies my biggest concern for Gulmarg; that it becomes too popular for the infra-structure. However the Jammu and Kashmir government have recognised the importance of the resort to the states economy and each year improvements are being made for example to ensure the power supply for the gondola and clean water for the hotels and restaurants. Highly significantly they are funding an avalanche safety programme for the mountain by employing two avalanche professionals each season in a collaboration with the Treble Cone ski field in New Zealand.
Just on skiing grounds alone Gulmarg warrants a visit but on top of this you're in India with all its cutural diversity, colour and of course cuisine. Love it and hate it for sure but there's no chance of a dull moment.
For the full picture try clicking on http://ski-gulmarg.co.uk or pick up the phone and speak to us Mountain tracks
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| helinick wrote: |
| However having now skied in Gulmarg for past two seasons I have to say that neither I or any of the 40 guests who have visited Kashmir with Mountain Tracks have experienced anything on the ground to feel even remotely concerned by the security situation. Of course it is not for everyone to visit a disputed state sandwiched between two nuclear armed powers grappling with terrorism problems. But quite frankly I feel more at risk in London, Madrid or New York than Srinigar. |
With all that ski time in Gulmarg you did not learn to spell Srinagar 
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Sat 13-06-09 18:46; edited 1 time in total
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you guys need to get out more
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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An other source of comprehensive information on slopes, safety and lodging in Gulmarg.
[/url]http://www.freeskihimalaya.com/English/English.htm
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