Sking Gulmarg

beanie · Aug 3rd, 2009, 16:02

Hey travellers!

I have bought a passage to India! So excited! And this marks my first post...

Anyway, I want to ski in Auli and take lessons for a week. I am probably a low - mid intermediate level skier at the moment. I've read a lot about Gulmarg, which really seems like the ultimate experience. BUT there is so much conflicting info about what level of skier its suitable for - some sites say beginners, others warn against its dangers and recommend it only for the expert.

After some time in Auli, I will improve a lot, but have not yet been off-piste... so would Gulmarg be too difficult and unsafe for me?

Thanks heaps for your help...

mridula · Aug 5th, 2009, 13:11

Will the security in J&K also be one of your concerns?

hitanshu · Aug 5th, 2009, 13:30

Auli barely got snow last season till mid Feb. I think that pretty much rules it out, no?

beanie · Aug 5th, 2009, 15:53

Oh really, Hitanshu! Wow, I've only read really great reports about Auli...that's really disappointing to hear. I suppose I'll have to just wait and see altogether. Thanks so much for the info.

mridula - indeed the security concerns must be considered seriously. I'm just searching for info so that I can make an informed decision.

hitanshu · Aug 5th, 2009, 22:50

My friend, I had planned on going there on Jan 26th for four days - first in 2008 and then in 2009.

In 2008, the snow was confirmed only last moment (like a week before) - they said we may be able to "manage" skiing. But my back acted up last moment and I went to Rajasthan.

In 2009, there was pretty much nothing - hardly any snow , and negligible accumulation. I went to Rohtang instead.

YMMV.

Ofcourse, march is the best time for auli. But friends do claim that gulmarg is better. Both times it had enough snow for proper skiing but was too far and too expensive

beanie · Aug 6th, 2009, 08:55

Thanks very much for your info, hitanshu.
Just another question if you have time - do you know whether intermediate skiers should bother with Gulmarg? Is it too dangerous or perhaps there are not many intermediate runs to warrant the dangers of Kashmir/long journey...?
Thanks again!

Aug 3rd, 2009, 16:02	#1
beanie Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 16	Sking Gulmarg Hey travellers! I have bought a passage to India! So excited! And this marks my first post... Anyway, I want to ski in Auli and take lessons for a week. I am probably a low - mid intermediate level skier at the moment. I've read a lot about Gulmarg, which really seems like the ultimate experience. BUT there is so much conflicting info about what level of skier its suitable for - some sites say beginners, others warn against its dangers and recommend it only for the expert. After some time in Auli, I will improve a lot, but have not yet been off-piste... so would Gulmarg be too difficult and unsafe for me? Thanks heaps for your help...

Aug 5th, 2009, 13:11	#2
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 2,587	Will the security in J&K also be one of your concerns? __________________ Mridula Travel Tales from India

Aug 5th, 2009, 13:30	#3
hitanshu Renegade Killer Bee Join Date: May 2006 Location: Out of coverage area! Posts: 880	Auli barely got snow last season till mid Feb. I think that pretty much rules it out, no? __________________ SMASH!!!!

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Aug 5th, 2009, 15:53	#4
beanie Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 16	Oh really, Hitanshu! Wow, I've only read really great reports about Auli...that's really disappointing to hear. I suppose I'll have to just wait and see altogether. Thanks so much for the info. mridula - indeed the security concerns must be considered seriously. I'm just searching for info so that I can make an informed decision.

Aug 5th, 2009, 22:50	#5
hitanshu Renegade Killer Bee Join Date: May 2006 Location: Out of coverage area! Posts: 880	My friend, I had planned on going there on Jan 26th for four days - first in 2008 and then in 2009. In 2008, the snow was confirmed only last moment (like a week before) - they said we may be able to "manage" skiing. But my back acted up last moment and I went to Rajasthan. In 2009, there was pretty much nothing - hardly any snow , and negligible accumulation. I went to Rohtang instead. YMMV. Ofcourse, march is the best time for auli. But friends do claim that gulmarg is better. Both times it had enough snow for proper skiing but was too far and too expensive

Aug 6th, 2009, 08:55	#6
beanie Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 16	Thanks very much for your info, hitanshu. Just another question if you have time - do you know whether intermediate skiers should bother with Gulmarg? Is it too dangerous or perhaps there are not many intermediate runs to warrant the dangers of Kashmir/long journey...? Thanks again!