Is Gulmarg Skiing Safe? Necessary Precautions
Overview
Since the adventurous winter activity is known, Gulmarg has gained global recognition as a skiing destination. Located in Jammu and Kashmir, about 50 kilometres away from Srinagar, thrill- seekers from all over the world come here for that much needed adrenaline rush. Skiing in gulmarg is undoubtedly a lifetime experience but having a safe one is crucial. The skiing infrastructure in Gulmarg is highly developed with premium facilities.
Don’t hesitate to invest in such services. From skiing schools to learn the basics and techniques, skilled instructors to ski rental shops, you can avail anything as per your need. It is the accessibility of such services in Gulmarg that both beginners and advanced skiers are welcomed here.
Cliffhangers India has been organising skiing tours in Gulmarg for a decade now and provides one of the best services. Here, we have mentioned some necessary precautions that you must take care of when going for a skiing trip in the town. Have a glance!
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Some Necessary Precautions
Hire a Professional Instructor
Being with a professional instructor ensures utmost safety. If you are a newcomer, your skiing trip in Gulmarg starts with learning the fundamentals and then going up for the advanced skills.
These instructors are local who are well aware of the weather as well as snow slopes condition. They teach you how to use and handle the gears like poles and stand on skis.
Managing the descents and steppes is the difficult part and special attention is being given and taught thoroughly. Apart from giving lessons, you can hire a professional instructor to accompany you when you are going for advanced levels of skiing like heli skiing in the ungroomed regions.
While private lessons would cost more, it is completely worth it, given that your safety is the first priority. Before hiring the instructor, make sure they are certified by a recognized skiing organisation and have some experience. You can even check ratings and reviews online.
Proper Skiing Gear
Having high quality and proper skiing gears is another step toward safe skiing. It should be clear that you don’t need to buy the gears yourself. There are a range of ski rental shops in Gulmarg where the local staff helps you in picking the best of the best. Skiing gears that are must-to-rent:
- Skis: Skis are used to glide over snow, allowing skiers to move on the powdery slope.
- Poles: Poles are used to maintain balance and to turn while skiing.
- Boots: Ski boots are important to walk on snow without falling. They help in better control when skiing. Make sure they are snug fit.
- Some other accessories include helmets, googles, gloves or mittens, ski jackets and pants.
Make sure you are investing in quality products. Take help of the staff available at shops. Choose the gears that match your skill level.
Avalanche Awareness
Potential avalanches pose a heavy risk when skiing in the Gulmarg town. In avalanches, a big block of snow slides downhill.
They are quite frequent in off-piste areas that are steeper than the base. They are common in places where fresh snowfall has occurred or any sudden weather change happens.
Being aware of the avalanche updates is very crucial to avoid such areas. The first step to be safe from avalanches is being with a local guide who is aware of the safety precautions. Next, don’t forget to carry different avalanche safety gears such as:
- Avalanche Transceiver (Beacon): It helps in locating any victim, buried in snow and rescuing them. Wear it on your body.
- Avalanche probe: It is another pole-like structure used to search for buried victims.
- Avalanche shovel: It is used to dig deep snow once the snow storm is over.
Just like skiing gears, you can rent these from the ski rental shops, available at an affordable rate. People often underestimate the avalanches and the safety gears. They are kind of mandatory.
Physical Fitness
Being physically and mentally fit to ski in Gulmarg would enhance experience multiple times. If you are fit and healthy, you’ll be able to handle the physical demands of the sport and reduce the risk of injury as you are on the slopes.
Gulmarg is located in alpine regions of Kashmir, where the weather conditions are extreme and temperature often dips down very low in winter. The oxygen levels are lower as well at high altitudes.
When you are in good bodily condition, you’ll be able to adapt to these abnormal climatic conditions well, without much difficulty. Skiing requires the movement of different parts of our body like legs, core, arms, etc. Before coming to Gulmarg for skiing, make sure to add strength training to your workouts.
Not only do we require physical fitness for safe skiing, we must be mentally healthy as well since the sport demands high concentration and presence of mind. When on the slopes, make sure to drink water at regular intervals and eat body fueling food but exempt overeating as it may cause dizziness and nausea.
Skiing With Your Limits
Gulmarg offers a range of skiing starting from general skiing to intermediate skiing and lastly heli-skiing and cross country skiing. The slopes for each kind of skiing are available.
Baba Reshi Shrine, Khilanmarg, and Gulmarg Golf Course are suitable for novice skiers. Intermediate skiing is best done at Kongdoori and Mary’s Shoulder. The advanced level of skiing is offered at the Apharwat Peak, one of the highest ski resorts in Asia.
While every type of skiing is available in Gulmarg, skiing within your limits and according to your skill level is necessary to avoid any kind of risk. Before confronting the advanced slopes, make sure you’re comfortable with the basics.
Ski within the marked slopes until you are sure to enter the ungroomed regions. You can brush up your skills at different skiing schools before trying for the more advanced level. Overconfidence is harmful here. And as mentioned above, rent the ski equipment as per your skills for a better experience.
Weather Conditions
Temperatures in Gulmarg in winters are around -2°C to -5°C. It even dips down to -8°C at nights, resulting in extreme weather conditions. Heavy snowfall is experienced throughout the hill station. In the alpine regions, the snow covered literally everything.
Being warm and comfortable in such a climate is a major task itself especially if you belong to the tropical region of India. When booking your resorts in Gulmarg, inquire about the heating arrangements in the room. Wear warm clothes to remain safe: Some essential clothing item to pack and wear are mentioned:
- When in Gulmarg in the cold month, start by packing a thermal for the warm base. Then a sweater or pullover or cardigan that is thick and made of heavy woollen. Lastly, carry a trench coat or jacket.
- For the bottom, carry warm leggings that fit you perfectly and jeans or trousers made of thick material.
- Cover your feet with warm socks and then wear sturdy yet comfortable boots. Avoid the light cotton socks and go for the knee-high boots instead.
- Accessories yourself with a beanie or muffler to cover your head and warm gloves to keep your hands cosy.
Skiing Lessons
Last but not the least, skiing schools are one of the best things that have happened to evolve skiing infrastructure in Gulmarg. At the moment, there are endless of them, offering even one day or week long courses of skiing.
Even if this is your first time skiing, you are most welcome. Even the very basics are being taught here. It helps in improving your skills. Skiing at these schools before the snow slopes build confidence as you are more sure of your skills.
Proper technique is being taught here. Not only this, all the safety measures and the usage of gears is part of the lessons as well. These schools are filled with skilled instructors and guides who help in such skiing lessons.
Some even offer you medical assistance on the slopes and provide you ski gears and safety gears with the package. It’s recommended to book ski lessons and rental equipment in advance, especially during the peak ski season lasting from December to March.
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