KASHMIR POLITICAL

Kashmir Safety Rules

The political situation in Kashmir is likely to be a concern when considering a trip to Kashmir. First and foremost, the war between India and Pakistan has been much more stable since 2003, which is a good thing. When you land in Srinagar, you’ll quickly discover that this is a very different airport than anything you’ve ever seen before. So don’t be shocked when you see a lot of military in Srinagar. Although we are aware that several foreign ministries continue to issue travel warnings for Kashmir without any justification. The latest tumultuous events occurred in the year 1990. Gulmarg is a ski resort located 50 kilometres away from Srinagar, in the Himalayan mountains. Gulmarg has never seen anything like it. A ski resort, it’s a very safe location to travel to and ski.

VACCINATION

Vaccinations should be discussed with your physician well in advance of your travel. Some vaccinations, such as Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Cholera, may not be necessary. Your doctor should be able to provide you with a complete list of vaccines. CDC (Centres for Disease Control) websites and your government websites can also be consulted before travelling to India.

BASIC SAFETY RULE

Every skier should adhere to a few fundamental safety rules: never ski alone and always carry adequate safety equipment. Our Ski Guides are also highly recommended for your convenience

RESCUE

Prior to skiing Gulmarg, be aware that all rescue and evacuating efforts are the responsibility of you and your ski group members. The majority of Ski Guides carry radios and first-aid supplies and can help you get down the mountain if necessary. A member of the group can be sent out to obtain aid in an emergency if there are enough individuals in the group. The Gulmarg Snow Safety Team is not responsible for rescuing Out of Bounds, but if they feel it is safe for them to do so, they will. At the bottom and top of all lifts, as well as at the Ski Patrol Hut to the north of Mid Station, you may receive assistance. (last building to the north). Make sure your travel insurance policy covers off-piste skiing, “search and rescue,” and helicopter evacuation in the event of an emergency.

AVALANCHES

No matter where you live in the mountains, avalanches pose a hazard. Snowfall in Gulmarg is heavy, which means that the area is susceptible to avalanches. In addition to daily avalanche warnings, Gulmarg Snow Safety offers training on mountain safety and avalanche education.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS

That’s right. Mt. Affarwat, at 4,124 metres, and Gulmarg Gondola’s peak at 3,980. As you sleep at 2,660 metres above sea level, severe altitude sickness is not a concern. The first few days of your visit, stay away from alcoholic beverages and drink lots of water instead As soon as you arrive, ski at lower heights. Your body will start adjusting to the altitude after a few days of being at high altitude. People with severe headaches and nausea who have lost their appetite and are experiencing dyspnoea should descend as quickly as possible to a lower elevation. If it doesn’t work, you should consult a physician for assistance.
There are very little medical facilities in Gulmarg, and you cannot rely on them. Gulmarg hospital has a small pharmacy that can sell you medicine if needed. There is a hospital in Srinagar (which is 52 kilometres from Gulmarg), but it is not up to Western standards. You should take caution when skiing in Gulmarg as you don’t want to get injured. See our safety page for more info on how to ski safely.

THE LOCAL ADVANTAGE

Those mountains are second nature to Sahil and his crew. Both he and his Kashmiri guides were raised in the Himalayas from an early age and have been skiing in the mountains ever since. As far back as 2010, our Kashmiri guides have been working with us. Sahil and his team are the ski-guides in India who are legally registered with the J&K Tourism Department
There are very little medical facilities in Gulmarg, and you cannot rely on them. Gulmarg hospital has a small pharmacy that can sell you medicine if needed. There is a hospital in Srinagar (which is 52 kilometres from Gulmarg), but it is not up to Western standards. You should take caution when skiing in Gulmarg as you don’t want to get injured. See our safety page for more info on how to ski safely.

WE CARE ABOUT YOU

Hemisphere’s Pir Panjal Range boasts steep and challenging terrain. These are the Himalayas, and nothing else can be said about them. Please be aware of this before planning to ski here!!! We recommend that you familiarise yourself with avalanches, backcountry skiing, and safety before your trip to Gulmarg. In our avalanche-controlled bowls near the Gondola, we’ll take you out on your first runs with you. Check your knowledge and abilities in handling equipment like abs bags and comm equipment. It’s only natural that we’ll go through how to use the gear. Many of our runs have a north-facing orientation. Knowing that avalanches might come at any time is important for serious skiers.