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Common Hectic Himalayas Trip Questions:

How do I get there?

Flights from Australia to Delhi usually cost about $950-1350AUD + taxes depending on the flight carrier, timing and a bit of luck. It is not easy to find flights that arrive early enough in the day, for you to make your transfers to Srinagar, and then onto Gulmarg in time for transfers. We try our best to arrange flights so have enough time for these transfers. If arranging flights yourself, you may choose to do a stop-over in Delhi for a one night, where we recommend the The Orchid Hotel, located right near IGI Airport.

How to reach Gulmarg from Delhi, India?
Gulmarg is located 52 km from Srinagar (the capital of Kashmir). From Srinagar you can reach Gulmarg on a 1.5 or 2 hours jeep ride (depending on snow conditions). The best way to get to Gulmarg is by getting an internal flight from Delhi-Srinagar. This is what we include in our land package for all Hectic Himalayas Holiday packages to ensure you the best holiday experience.

Gulmarg is effectively like heli-skiing, but with a gondola. The majority of the terrain is off-piste and un-patrolled. You will have no problem with crowds here, meaning you will have all the fresh powder you could ever want to carve fresh lines in.

Gulmarg Mountain Statistics
Vertical Height 
2,650–3,980m
Average Snow Fall
: 14 metres
Lifts: (6)
1 gondolas
5 pomas
Ski Hours: 
8:30am to 3:00pm
Longest run: 8km
Terrain skill level: Advanced - 70%, 
Intermediate - 20%, 
Beginner – 10%

Lift Prices per run:
- Top half – 250 INR
- Lower half – 100 INR
- Pomas – 60 INR
To be paid per run or per day in cash.

What is the Avalanche danger?
Gulmarg is not your average ski resort, and it is advised to pay close attention to avalanche warnings and be aware of daily warnings. There is limited ski patrol and a vast terrain, you may have a responsibility to participate if an incident occurs.

Eating in Gulmarg

Most hotels in Gulmarg have a kitchen and restaurant to service their clients, though many guests choose to take meals and tea in their rooms. The quality of food may vary, but the menu items are often similar: rice, lentils, vegetable mash, and chicken or mutton curry. Fruit is often absent from a stock meal; savvy guests buy bananas, apples, and oranges from the markets in Tangmarg or Srinagar.

When is the best time to visit Gulmarg for skiing?

We recommend mid January to mid March as the best time to visit Gulmarg for skiing and snowboarding purposes. Snowfall history of Gulmarg will claim January as the coldest month with less, but high quality snowfalls. February has the most snowfalls, with temperatures on the rise. March, with snow, shows temperatures rising drastically towards the end of the month (spring-like conditions).

The last few winters at Gulmarg have shone dramatic forecast changes: some winters having huge snowfalls and others having less then average. Either way, even in the low seasons there is sufficient snow to explore all of Kongdori and Apharwat slopes, slashing good powder!

How much time should I spend in Gulmarg to enjoy my ski vacation and explore the slopes?

Gulmarg resort is attracts a wide range of winter sports lovers. To give yourself sufficient time to explore Kongdori and Apharwat slopes, taking into consideration high altitude weather hold-ups, we would recommend a ski visit period of 11-15 days and longer if you have the available time.

What equipment to bring???

Gulmarg skiing/ boarding is all about off-piste and backcountry runs! To enjoy all that Gulmarg has to offer, we recommend that you will come prepared with skis/boards suitable for free riding/big mountain/powder runs.

We will soon be releasing a 'What to bring' PDF for you to download and give you a checklist when packing for your holiday.

We recommend that you have a comfortable daypack for your daily exploration, packed with your Avalanche gear (transceiver, probe, shovel). Avalanche equipment is available on a rental basis, but as gear is limited please book in advance or bring your own. We can reserve your equipment for you when you book in a Hectic Himalayas trip.

Is there a ski patrol at Gulmarg?
Yes, Gulmarg resort has a ski patrol team equipped with first aid, toboggan and avalanche rescue gear. The team went through a ski patrol course to sharpen it's patrol ability. The local patrol team was trained by an international instructor team of ski patrollers and mountain guides. This international support has been taking place for the last few winters and will continue this winter.

Is the gondola reliable?

Being one of the world’s highest gondolas, Gulmarg's gondola is opening a huge mountain for exploration; however, on occasion it is facing hard mountain weather that results in a gondola system safety shutdown. Like any other gondola, Gulmarg gondola sometimes faces mechanical problems. It is on these days we recommend to explore additional skiing terrain: monkey-hill runs, Gulmarg to Babarashi, and Gulmarg to Tanmarg. We can provide you with suitable mountain guides to lead you through these off-piste runs.

Gulmarg's gondola specs:
Building company: Poma (France).
Operator: Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC)
Length: 5 km
Number of towers: 18
Number of Cabins: 36
Number of stations: Base station at 2600m, mid station at 3040m, top station at 3990m.
Ride time: 20 minutes bottom to top.

The gondola 1st phase was completed in 1998, 2nd phase 2005. The gondola offers skiing access in both phases. The gondola is maintained by JKCCC under Poma regulations.

I am a beginner snowboarder/skier, would you recommend Gulmarg as a suitable ski location?

Beginner slopes at Gulmarg hold a number of tow-rope lifts on runs of up to 200m. The lift system is sufficient for skiers, but not for snowboarders. We would recommend the gondola 1st phase terrain for beginners, intermediate skiers/ boarders and 2nd phase for experienced riders.

Is Gulmarg safe?
In the past Kashmir was the most desired tourist destination in the Far East drawing natural and cultural tourism from around the globe. At time It was declared as heaven on earth. Later, Kashmir suffered from a political dispute not of their making…In 1989 a war broke out between India and Pakistan, both claiming Kashmir as their own. Kashmir was declared one of the most dangerous places on earth. This statement and the enforced political situation brought Kashmir’s tourism to a halt.

The political situation in Kashmir is improving every year. For the last few years India and Pakistan are working on a political settlement to end the conflict and restore peace to the region. These political negotiations stopped the fighting, and brought back tourism to Kashmir & Jammu state.

This last summer, 2008, Kashmir has experienced turmoil do to local government rotation. Although the past couple summer months were unsafe in Kashmir, we are expecting a great and safe winter in Gulmarg, history shoes that summer turmoil’s do not affect winter months. Please contact us for updates on current safety situation in Gulmarg.

What currency do they use in Gulmarg?

Indian Rupees (INR), of which the current exchange rate is approx. $1 AUD - 40 INR (September 2009).

If one of your questions haven't been answered...just give us an email and we'll make sure your query is satisfied within 48 hours.

Call 1300 4 LIQUID, or email us hello@liquidadventures.com.au