Skiing in Kashmir

Skiing in Kashmir- cut tracks where few have feared to tread

Tired of the overcrowded, overpriced slopes of Europe and North America? Bored of sharing the slopes with package deal skiers? Fed up runs of the mill?

Why not cut some fresh tracks on some the world’s wildest, unsheltered and untamed slopes before it turns into the next Val d’Isère.

Gulmarg, India’s most popular winter sport destination, lies in the Kashmir region which borders Pakistan and India (4,000m) The resort was a firm favourite amongst British officers and their families during the latter stages of the Raj and still has a firm military presence, which poses only slight intimidation and no threat. It is now becoming one Asia’s most popular and fastest growing skiing resorts amongst Asians and Westerners alike.

A visit to Gulmarg, which is one of the highest lift- served ski resorts in the world, has been compared to a step back in time- a journey to the ‘Good Old Days’ of alpine skiing. You won’t find a hint of Gore-tex or a sliver of the latest Salomons; only a homage to the finest of 70’s retro gear. The few shops that do sell or hire skiing equipment offer kaleidoscopic all-in-ones, rear- entry boots and 210 cm straight skis of yesteryear (think Dynastar Legend 8800) But once you are soaring across the best and most picturesque pistes of Asia you’ll soon forget that you’re an incarnation of Eddie the Eagle in drag.

Gulmarg’s gondola, the highest in the world (and bought from the French ten years ago) takes you the top lift-station where you can take in the stunning views of K2, Nanga Parbath and Nunkun. Instructors are on-hand to guide you across the sunlit plains and kilometre long runs which offer unparalleled views across the Himalayas. For adventure-lovers, unpisted and unpatrolled areas of powder snow lead you through valleys and forests whilst hardcore arenalin-junkies can test their paces on the more tempestuous pistes on the Pakistani side of the border.

The lift services aren’t, by a long shot, up to Western ski resort standards but the plus side is that you’ll you rarely bump into another skier, let alone share a lift with them.

Although there is very little in terms of après-ski entertainment, there is both an Indian and a Chinese takeaway as well as an American Burger Bar. You’ll also be sharing the few hotels that there are with a mix of New Zealanders, Americans and Australians who make Gulmarg their home for the season (December-April)

Gulmarg is ideally suited for beginners, intermediates and experienced skiers and is probably one of the cheapest ski resorts on the planet.

 

 

 

 

 

 How To Get There:

Wild Frontiers offer (24-31 January 3-10 February) from £2,075 per person: half board, international flights, internal economy flights, transport, twin-share accommodation and ski guides. For more information visit www.wildfrontiers.co.uk

 

Vanessa Wozniak