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Location: Gulmarg, Kashmir
Region, J&K
Heli-Skiing Base: Apherwat
Peak
Facilities: T-Bars & Chair
Lifts, Toboggans, Sledges, Snow Cycles
Skiing Season: December To
March
One of
the major attractions for adventure loving tourists is skiing
in the Himalayas. Gulmarg, the best ski resort in the
Himalayas, was first established by the British in 1927, when
two British Army Officers, Maj. Metcarp and Maj. Hadow had
setup the Ski Club of India at Gulmarg.
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Skiing at Gulmarg |
Skiing
had become very popular during the pre-independence years and
Gulmarg used to host two main events, one each during
Christmas and Easter. In 1938-39 about 500 skiers are reported
to have participated in the Christmas and Easter ski races.
Gulmarg's atmosphere can generally be identified with 1940's
and 50's European skiing—‘the Alps of good old days’. It has
good sunshine as well as good snow.
Gulmarg
holds a position as one of the highest lift-served ski resorts
in the world. This is due to setting-up of a Gandola Cable
Car Lift from Gulmarg to Apharwat top. Presently, only the
first section of the Gandola, from Gulmarg to Kongdori
is operational, giving a downhill ski run of about 3 kms. In
addition, three ski lifts and one chair lift also service the
resort, which are suitable for beginners and
intermediate-level skiing, respectively.
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Winter view of
Gulmarg
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The
skiing season in Gulmarg usually commences before
Christmas (around middle of December) and continues till
middle of April. In January-February, 1998 the first National
Winter Games of India were held at Gulmarg, for which the
facilities were enormously improved and upgraded. The resort
acquired two Kasse Bohrer snow beating machines used
for preparing skiing slopes, and five snowmobiles,
which can be made available for going up the mountain. Good
quality equipment, including skis, boots, sticks, gloves and
goggles are available on hire on the spot from the
Government-run ski shop. There are also trained instructors
available for guiding the tourists. Gulmarg is ideally suited
for learning skiing, as it is probably the cheapest ski resort
in the world.
Some
time back, the famous French skier Sylvain Saudan, had started
Heli-skiing in the Himalayas for European skiers. He would
take the skiers by helicopter on top of Gulmarg mountain and
other peaks in the area from where they would ski down the
immense Himalayan slopes. This programme has been suspended
for the time being.
The
most enjoyable aspect of a winter sojourn in Gulmarg is the
friendly atmosphere. It is like being in a family where
everybody knows every one else. |
