Category Archives: Skiing

Linking Aferwat Peak with Sunshine Peak

The J&K Tourism Department is contemplating to construct a world-class restaurant at Aferwat in Gulmarg. A plan is also afoot to link Aferwat Peak with Sunshine Peak, which will increase skiing area besides providing people with tourist spot during summer. Foreign consultants are being hired for the purpose. Reportedly there are no funding issues for the project as the Gondola is able to fetch more revenues than expected anyways. The exact details on how the linking will happen are not yet very clear.

Gulmarg - Linking Aferwat Peak with Sunshine Peak

Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering

The Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering also conducts courses in the Gulmarg area, apart from taking groups out on “adventure courses”, which are basically treks. The institute is not considered one of India’s best, but it’s an option.

IISM is a national institute which has been promoting winter and adventure sports in the Kashmir valley for the last five decades.

Details on 15-day snow ski courses of the Indian Institute of Ski and Mountaineering (IISM) at Gulmarg in 2009:

  • Total courses organized in a year: 5
  • First ski course was held from January 14 to January 27.
  • Second started on January 28 and concluded on February 11.
  • There is a test in which the trainees appear after the end of the course which need to pass to qualify to get certificates.
  • The course stregth is about 40 students of various age groups. Generally there is a huge rush of applicants.
  • The course is three-level, designated as basic, intermediate and advance.
  • Name of some Trainers: Hadeeqa Khurshid, Muhammad Shafi, Tariq Zargar, Feroz Ahmad Khan, Jeelani, Shabir Ahmad Dar
  • Principal: Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Mir
  • Equipment: The institute now sources equipment independent of Tourism department and its own snow scooters, snow beating machines and all the hi-tech gadgets needed for skiing
  • Address: The Principal, Indian Institute Of Skiing & Mountaineering, Gulmarg, J&K

For Skiing courses in the winter of 2009-2010, check this post here:

http://gulmarg.org/calendar-of-five-short-snow-skiing-courses-2009-2010/

    Skiing in Gulmarg

    Gulmarg prides itself as one of the highest lift-served ski resorts in the world. This is laregely due to setting-up of a Gandola Cable Car Lift from Gulmarg to Apharwat top. The first section of the Gandola, from Gulmarg to Kongdori gives 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.
    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 (in reality, would they be??). Good quality equipment, including skis, boots, sticks, gloves and goggles are available on hire on the spot from the Government-run ski and other rental shops. 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.

    The Tourism department is organizing National Winter games from February 17 to February 22, 2008 at Gulmarg. In which about 500 players are participating.

    The upper gondola (phase 2) to Mt Apherwat is the prime attraction for skiers, hikers. The cable car ascends 1,330 vertical metres to a height of nearly 4,000m. The first phase, from Gulmarg to the Kongdori mid-station 300m above costs Rs100 each way, or Rs500 for the day. Phase 2, to nearly 4,000m at the ridgeline of Mt Apherwat, costs Rs250 each way. A day pass is Rs1,000.

    The gondola operates both during winter and summer, with times when its taken off for planned or unplanned repairs, including for inclement weather. It is possible to hike or take a pony, depending on the season. For the ski season, J&K Tourism (www.jktourism.org) also operates two lifts on the snow-covered golf course in Gulmarg proper. Lifts are about Rs60 for a full day’s use and Rs40 for a half-day.

    You can learn golf for Rs250 a day, which is as low it can get anywhere in the world. Taking lessons is very common for local Kashmiri population. For foreigners www.skihimalaya.com.au conducts some tours that are albeit expensive.

    Sample costs:

    • You can get a government guide for Rs1,000.  
    • Skis and snowboards with bindings cost Rs500 per day; get them cheaper from J&K Tourism’s ski rental shop.
    • Boots, skis and sticks (or board and boots) Rs250 a day.
    • Goggles and gloves for an additional 50 bucks.
    • Discounts at half off for under 12 of age and students

    History of skiing in Gulmarg

    Two British Army Officers, Major Headow and Major Metcarp established the Ski Club of India at Gulmarg in 1927 with late Peston Ji as its Secretary. Skiing rapidly grew in Gulmarg and became a popular sport among the British Army Officers. Two main events were held. One at Christmas time and the other on the occasion of Easter. The slopes above Khilanmarg were used for competitions and the pony trail from Gulmarg to khilanmarg was kept open during winter. There was also a Ski Hut at Khilanmarg. The attendance on Easter Event in 1938 was more than 500. After the departure of the British in 1947, the resort virtually collapsed. Government of India revived the resort in mid sixties by formulating a comprehensive project for developing Gulmarg as an International Ski Resort. A Ski School with an Austrian Director, Dr.Jens Krauser was set up to train National Ski Instructors. A chairlift was installed. Ski Equipment was imported. The Resort had been earmarked for receiving UNDP assistance. Skiing once again revived and Gulmarg was on way to becoming the only Ski Resort in the Himalayas. However, after the initial euphoria, the development of the resort got bogged down in bureaucratic details and ego clashes.
    The Central Government interest, as usual started waning and the progress became very slow. The Project was kept alive for namesake only. On the local level, the State Government took many steps to keep the sport going among the local youth. A large number of locals were trained in Skiing, some of whom took part in the Asian Winter Games as well as Winter Olympics. New equipment was imported and three ski lifts were installed for beginners. After Rajiv-Farooq accord in 1987, the Project received a fresh impetus. It had been pointed out by Experts that the real good slopes of Gulmarg were above the tree line on the Apharwat Mountain. However, these were inaccessible due to absence of a mechanical lift to the top. A project to set up a Gondola/Cable Car to the top was conceived and initiated for installation through the French Company Pomagalski. However, Gulmarg faced another collapse after the eruption of turmoil in 1990. The whole project got stalled. After a gap of about ten years, work on the Gondola was once again taken up.