Greetings Pugski people,
Hope all is well. Time to start the winter trip reports, we'll kick off with Gulmarg. People who followed me on Epic will have seen a lot of reports from Gulmarg over the years, but this will be the first time posting about Gulmarg on Pugski, so hopefully some new people will also see these reports.
For those that haven't read my Gulmarg reports before, then Gulmarg is a ski area in northern India in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It's in the Pir Panjals, one of six mountain ranges that make up the Himalayas and is noted for having one of the highest gondolas in the world which gives access to a massive mountain that receives a lot of snow (14m on average), minus any crowds. I first went to Gulmarg in 2008 and then have been going back every winter with groups since 2011. This will be my 9th winter in Gulmarg.
I look forward to going to Gulmarg each season and definitely enjoy the skiing (it's a pretty unique place given the amount of snow they get and how few people there are, but it's a serious mountain with big consequences that definitely has my respect). Anyway, the upcoming season is just around the corner and I thought I'd share some updates with you all before I leave for India on the 22nd February.
This season we've seen some changes. It's been confirmed that we have a new Snow Safety Officer in Gulmarg. Luke Smithwick (who did a great job for 3 years) has been replaced by Brian Newman. Brian had previously overseen the local patrol for 7 years and he's come back again. I know a lot of the locals missed Brian and are excited that he's coming back. We'll see what changes he will implement.
Gulmarg has received several early snowfalls already. Thankfully most of that early snow has melted (a good thing as early snowfalls that are then exposed to cold, clear nights can lead to the formation of a persistent weak layer in the base of the snowpack) and now we have just had a massive new storm and people are skiing already (not from the gondola yet though). Here's a few photos that were sent to me today of the current conditions in Gulmarg, from Altaf Rather, GM of the Hilltop Hotel where we stay.
Already grooming the golf course slopes.
Coverage looking good up high, one more storm and it should be game on!
Plenty of snow up at the Highlands Hotel.
Shepard's huts buried already!
Mid-mountain ticket office buried. Hope it doesn't get flattened.....
That's about it for now. Will add more updates as I have them in the lead up to the trip, then regular updates when I am out there.
- Matt
Hope all is well. Time to start the winter trip reports, we'll kick off with Gulmarg. People who followed me on Epic will have seen a lot of reports from Gulmarg over the years, but this will be the first time posting about Gulmarg on Pugski, so hopefully some new people will also see these reports.
For those that haven't read my Gulmarg reports before, then Gulmarg is a ski area in northern India in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It's in the Pir Panjals, one of six mountain ranges that make up the Himalayas and is noted for having one of the highest gondolas in the world which gives access to a massive mountain that receives a lot of snow (14m on average), minus any crowds. I first went to Gulmarg in 2008 and then have been going back every winter with groups since 2011. This will be my 9th winter in Gulmarg.
I look forward to going to Gulmarg each season and definitely enjoy the skiing (it's a pretty unique place given the amount of snow they get and how few people there are, but it's a serious mountain with big consequences that definitely has my respect). Anyway, the upcoming season is just around the corner and I thought I'd share some updates with you all before I leave for India on the 22nd February.
This season we've seen some changes. It's been confirmed that we have a new Snow Safety Officer in Gulmarg. Luke Smithwick (who did a great job for 3 years) has been replaced by Brian Newman. Brian had previously overseen the local patrol for 7 years and he's come back again. I know a lot of the locals missed Brian and are excited that he's coming back. We'll see what changes he will implement.
Gulmarg has received several early snowfalls already. Thankfully most of that early snow has melted (a good thing as early snowfalls that are then exposed to cold, clear nights can lead to the formation of a persistent weak layer in the base of the snowpack) and now we have just had a massive new storm and people are skiing already (not from the gondola yet though). Here's a few photos that were sent to me today of the current conditions in Gulmarg, from Altaf Rather, GM of the Hilltop Hotel where we stay.
Already grooming the golf course slopes.
Coverage looking good up high, one more storm and it should be game on!
Plenty of snow up at the Highlands Hotel.
Shepard's huts buried already!
Mid-mountain ticket office buried. Hope it doesn't get flattened.....
That's about it for now. Will add more updates as I have them in the lead up to the trip, then regular updates when I am out there.
- Matt