Gulmarg Ski Trip – Costs + Prices 2017

Gulmarg has established itself as a preferred backcountry ski destination and is today the only cable car serviced powder ski resort in the Himalaya.  Since 2006, we have been offering our professional ski guiding services in Gulmarg to visitors and welcomed until now more than 1’000 guests from all over the world as participants in our backcountry skiing programs in the Himalaya.

Gulmarg – The Ski Resort in the Himalayas

To meet guests’ expectations also in the years to come, we have adapted our program proposals for the ski season 2017 to the changed market conditions. In this blog, you find information about our new programs and price comparisons with our key competitors, and also information about the costs of services that can be purchased on the spot in Gulmarg.

Gulmarg 2014 – Snow Storms and Avalanche Danger

Ski Season 2014 in Gulmarg – Snow Storms and Avalanche Danger

The winter of 2014 in Gulmarg has mainly been marked by 3 key factors which turned it into a season that won’t be easily forgotten. Extended periods of high and considerable avalanche danger prevented the free access to the backcountry terrain, 3 major snow storms resulted in a near close down of the resort for several days and a considerable decrease in the number of foreign skiers who visited Kashmir for the ski season 2013/2014 presented a challenge to hotels and operators who had invested in staff and material based on the numbers of previous years.

FSH Guest Accommodation

Avalanche Danger – The permanent Companion of Backcountry Skiers in Gulmarg

Since the opening of the second phase of the cable car to the 4’200m high Mt. Apharwat in 2006 avalanche danger has always been a concern for backcountry skiing program operators, the gondola management and individual travelers. The snowpack and the complex terrain have presented regular challenges to us and our guides over the past years but the winter of 2013/2014 was by far the most difficult to manage.

Gulmarg Safety Considerations

Checklist for a Safe Ski Trip to Kashmir

During the past few months the number of cease fire violations along the “Line of Control” have increased again and there were also a few shoot outs between militants and security forces in some villages inside Kashmir. This resulted in certain changes in the travel advisories issued by various countries and requires an update on my safety assessment for ski trips to Kashmir which I published in July 2009. Skiers’ Safety in Kashmir.

Whereas most of what I wrote then is still valid today I would like to start by saying a few words about today’s situation in Kashmir but then also discuss two other important safety elements people should be aware of when planning and organizing a ski trip to Gulmarg, namely safety on the mountain and health issues.

Gulmarg Ski Terrain Apharwat South

Before going into more details about these safety considerations I would, however, like to point out that FSH has conducted its powder ski programs in Gulmarg since 2006 and during all these years we have fortunately never encountered any incidents that gave rise for concern nor did our guests become victims of any serious accidents on the mountain.

Gulmarg Winter 2013 – A Review

Sunny days, perfect snow conditions and mostly low or moderate avalanche danger levels on one hand and inner unrest, frequent strikes and curfews on the other hand were the distinguishing marks of our 8^th ski season in Gulmarg, Kashmir.

Despite these few disturbing events outside of Gulmarg our 180 guests were able to fully enjoy their stay in Kashmir, have completed numerous powder ski runs on Mt. Aphawat and got a comprehensive impression of this exceptional ski area in the Himalayas.

Gulmarg 2013 – A Ski Season Review from chris werren on Vimeo.

Snow and Weather Conditions

The snow and weather conditions in the past winter were ideal, compared to previous years we had less frequent but instead more intensive snowfalls and also considerably longer fair weather periods with lots of sunny days = 60% of all season ski days!