Adventure
Sports in Kashmir
Skiing
Not
many know that it is possible to ski in India.
Skiing in India as a modern sport started almost
at the same time as in Europe. The Ski Club of
India was established in Gulmarg in 1927. The
Indian Ski team won eight diplomas in the first
ever Asian Winter Sports held in March, 1986, at
Sapporo, Japan. Six of the winners are from
Gulmarg - the ski paradise of India. People think
of mountains only in the summers, reflecting on
their cool shade and lovely breezes. The meadow of
flowers, Gulmarg is about 50 km from Srinagar,
situated at an altitude of 2,730 m. It turns into
a meadow of romance in winter, a small ski resort
where everyone knows everyone else. There are
comfortable hotels and huts to stay in. It is the
only ski-resort in the mighty Himalayas where you
can ski with a magnificent view of the Karakorams.
Gulmarg provides an altitude difference of over
1,500 m with lengths of more than 10 km. But
presently only a ski-mountaineer can reach these
higher slopes. Four ski-lifts and a chairlift are
available but these are suitable for beginners
only. Gulmarg is also the cheapest ski resort in
the world to learn skiing. The latest Austrian and
French equipment is available on hire. There is a
ski school known as the Indian Institute of
Skiing and Mountaineering, which conducts 10 day
and 21 day short ski courses for beginners and
advanced skiers. The season is mid-December to
mid-April and the road is kept open to Gulmarg
throughout the winter with the help of powerful
German machines. Apart from downhill skiing, one
can also enjoy cross-country runs. Excursions to
the shrine of Baba Reshi through the 'powder
chute' is an experience to treasure. One hasn't
started yet with heliskiing but there are
tremendous possibilities for the sport here. You
can mark new tracks almost throughout the entire
winter season. There are long chains of mountain
valleys and ridges covered with fine powder snow.
One can even try a different valley each day with
the aid of a helicopter.
Gulmarg is not the only
place to challenge your courage. Ski tours from
Pahalgam to Sonamarg through high mountain passes
are not only arduous but also exciting. Some
people have even gone on skis to Ladakh through
the Wardwan Valley. Adventure here has no limits.
| 
