On Dec 21, the 40-day-long severest part of winter known as “Chilaikalan” set in Kashmir. Though ‘Chilaikalan’ would end on January 31, the winter would continue. The period would be followed by a 20-day long ‘Chilai Khurd’ and a 10-day long ‘Chila Bachha’.
Monthly Archives: December 2008
Gulmarg Winter sports to be held in January 2009
Excerpted From GK: Srinagar, Dec 20: The winter sports scheduled to be inaugurated at the Christmas Eve have been postponed due to less snow at Gulmarg, the department of Tourism head, Farooq Ahmad Shah said. It may be held from January 10 to 15, though the dates have not been finalised yet.
Events would be snow boarding, skiing, snow rugby, snow cycling, ice-skating, snow scooter racing, night skiing and ice hockey. Besides there will be exhibition of handicrafts, Kashmiri classical music, etc.
The department would announce the calendar of winter sports activities during the festival – involving coaching courses by various institutes and departments. “Apart from local trainers available for tourists, various institutes like Biscoe School, Youth Services and Sports Department, Sports Council, Kashmir University, Indian Institute of Skiing and mountaineering will organise more than 20 coaching courses,” he said.
About the facilities, he said, ski and snowboarding equipments would be available for skiers in the ski shop at Gulmarg. Gulmarg Gondola, world’s highest cable car would be available for high altitude skiers.
Another major snowfall for gulmarg from 16.12.2008 evening
The current round of snowfall from 7th Dec. ’08 has resulted in snow accumulation to about 2.5 ft to 3 ft. at gulmarg lower gondola station . Another major round of snow storm is likely from 16th/ 17th Dec. for about 3-5 days. It is likely that further approx 3 ft of dry powder snow is going to accumulate over and above the current level of snow at Gulmarg. The level of accumulation on the upper slopes is likely to be increased by more than 5 ft. The snow condition would be same as is generally available in mid January for skiing. Gulmarg would be the right place for doing skiing during the christmas vacations.