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Frequently Asked
Questions
1. So how good is the snow? Bloody
good!
Gulmarg’s powder is probably like nothing you've ever ridden before.
The climate and geography of the Western Himalayas, along with
Gulmarg’s lack of snow riding traffic, consistently maintains
snow in its original powder form.
Check out our video and pictures for a visual representation!
 2.
I’ve skied at Aspen. Are the lift facilities in Gulmarg similar
to Aspen’s? The lift facilities are good and fairly reliable.
Don’t forget we are in India not Aspen, and so the odd slow day
may be experienced!
3 Poma button-styled surface lifts service the nursery slopes
and 2 gondolas service the ‘adrenalin’ slopes!
The gondolas are relatively new, with gondola 2 having been recently
commissioned in 2005. Designed and tested by France’s Poma Group,
ensures you’re as safe as in any major European ski gondola.
Gondola 1 ascends to Kongdori mid-station (3100m), above the tree-line
where a restaurant lies. From here, Gondola 2 ascends to 3980m,
which is normally when the adrenalin starts kicking in!
The gondolas open at 10am and close at around 4.30pm, but as in
most resorts, this may vary due to the weather.
3. Does my guide speak English? Yes!
Amongst other languages like Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi and a little
Greek, your guide is very fluent in English.
4. Is ‘altitude sickness’ an issue at this
elevation? It can be, but the symptoms are generally nothing
more than a headache. We advise guests to drink plenty of fluids
and to ride it easy for the first 2 days in order to acclimatise
your body.
5. Does it help to be fit on the mountain?
It helps to be fit anywhere, especially at a base elevation of
2650m! That’s higher than Australia’s Mt Kosciusko (2228m)! Activities
such as skiing and snowboarding are greatly enhanced and more
enjoyable if one possesses some level of fitness.
6. Is ‘Delhi belly’ prevalent in Gulmarg?
Although Gulmarg’s water is filtered straight from the Himalayas,
it is advisable for guests to drink only bottled water, much like
every other part of India.
As for the food, we’ve never experienced ‘Dellhi belly’ in Gulmarg
or Srinagar. In fact, the food served at your hotel is very good
and very tasty!
 7.
What type of food is available? Is alcohol served anywhere?
Gulmarg’s restaurants are found in the resort’s hotels
and only basic food outlets and cafés exist around the
base of the resort. But hey, you’ve come to Kashmir to carve
up the powder, not eat at the resort’s golden arches!
On the mountain, the Kongdori mid-station has a great little
restaurant. All of our packages include lunch which s provided
by your hotel.Food varieties include both tasty Kashmiri cuisine
and western types.
Although Kashmir is predominantly Muslim, alcohol is available
and mainly found in some hotel bars. Both Hotel Highlands Park
and Hotel Pine Palace provide alcohol.
8. Is Gulmarg’s nightlife comparable to
Aspen’s? No!
Gulmarg prides itself on good old fashioned après-ski centred
on a good meal, a relaxing log fire and verbal exchanges about
the day’s adrenalin-infested runs! There is a warm and peaceful
sense of coziness at Gulmarg.
9. Do I need any special vaccinations before
travelling to Kashmir? Guests are strongly advised to seek
medical advice regarding their individual vaccinations. Plan your
vaccinations well in advance (2-3 months) of your holiday.
10. Kashmir has had some political unrest
in the past, are the locals friendly to Westerners? Yes!
Warm and friendly!
Don’t be surprised if you’re invited in for some world famous
Kashmiri tea by the locals. Kashmiri people are very open-minded
and accepting of others. The fact that Gulmarg houses Hindu, Christian,
Sikh and Muslim places of worship in the one area is a true testament
to this.
11. Does Gulmarg provide ski and snowboard
hire? Yes!
The local Jammu and Kashmir state government shop provides a good
selection of skis and snowboards. Our guests are advised to bring
their own gear with them. With such beautiful powder snow awaiting
your riding, the last thing you want are boots that don’t fit!
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