Gulmarg and the only Big Lift in the Himalayas

Gulmarg is a mountain shelf which nestles under the protective 4124 metre height and five kilometre shoulders of Mt Apharwat. From here it overlooks the Vale of Kashmir to 8126 metre Nanga Parbat and other distant peaks.

Gulmarg is in the Pir Panjals, one of the six ranges which make up the Himalayas. Located at the western extremity of the world's highest peaks, the Pir Panjals are the first mountains hit by westerly and south westerly storms which roll in over Indus River flood plains each year, providing the greater part of the Himalayas' winter snowfalls.

Gulmarg's newly completed gondola, designed by France's Poma Group, ascends from the resort at 2650 metres, via a mid station and restaurant at 3050 metres, to an elevation of 3980 metres, providing lift served access to 1330 vertical metres of vast snowriding terrain.

Other modern infrastructure at Gulmarg includes Kassbohrer snow grooming machines, Poma surface lifts, recently purchased hire equipment for a range of winter sports, and even a new ice skating rink.

©Copyright, Peter Robinson, Ski Himalaya