Comments on: Competition

By: Paul Dekens

Paul Dekens — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:09:14 +0000

Gulmarg, can one word say it all? Yes of course it can. Comparisons have been made between deep powder skiing and sex, or, for that matter, anything that makes you go “ihaaaaaaaaa”. May sound silly, possibly for the one underneath you, but that’s probably only because she’s further down. Nothing more to add, this place beats BC, Valdez and my backyard. Please can I go again?

By: Tom Vincent

Tom Vincent — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:29:07 +0000

The high mountains have always been the crucible of human endeavour; a place of first ascents and descents, of bravery, friendship and momentus exploits. The list of names associated with the Himalayas should send a tingle down the spines of all but the most comatose.

Helisking anywhere is an oportunity to ski in places few have troden, in fresh snow and wild places; but helisking in a place like Gulmarg allows mortal men, like me, to bask in the glow of the greatest adventurers in human history… if only for a moment. Who could not fail to be moved by that?

Tom

By: Alex Miller

Alex Miller — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:52:14 +0000

I am a skier. Skiing is my passion. It is a passion that has been passed down through generations. My father is a skier, his father was a skier and someday I will teach my child how to ski. Though he/she will have never met his/her great-grandfather and will only know his/her grandfather as an old man, they will all share one incredible bond… they will be skiers.

The terrain of Pir Panjal seems like something out of a fairy tale. The cap covered peaks look as though to beckon those that wish touch them to come and play. A playground for all mountain lovers. A snowy frontier.

India is a place of intrigue to me. I truly love to travel to exotic destinations, not just for the majestic landscapes and scenic views, but the friends I make along the way and the culture of the locals. Kashmir has been a destination that I would find not only fun and exciting but also educational and spiritual.

Gulmarg would be my ultimate ski destination because I love to experience different cultures and people. I love to ski incredible powder and amazing terrain. Lastly, I believe that Gulmarg would be my ultimate ski destination because it would give me the opportunity to thank my grandfather for the passion that he has instilled in my by naming a first decent after him.

By: Louis Martin

Louis Martin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:32:10 +0000

There is nothing more fun in the skiing world than taking that first decent down an untouched slope. As you make those first turns and snow engulfs you, all else leaves your mind.

Skiing is my escape. Where better to obtain this escape than the steep slopes of Gulmarg? An eternity of possibilities, an endless amount of terrain. It is of this that skiers dream.

A trip to Gulmarg in itself would be unimaginable, but to be granted the privilege of being the first to decsend, and name, a line would be indescribable.

Thank you,
Louis Martin

By: Boogaloo Bertie

Boogaloo Bertie — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:54:50 +0000

Winding though the valley, wheeling round rocky outcrops, you travel with the keen anticipation to once again be as free as the wind. The dazzling heights of Gulmarg surround you, intoxicating and awesome. Reaching the ridge, Apharwat allows the helicopter to drop you down, and in a swirling white cloud it lifts and descends the valley in swooping curves tracing a form you will soon assume. A panoramic expanse of snow beckons, quickening the pulse and you take the step into pristine terrain. Cautious at first but, with guides beside you, boldness grows swiftly until, lifted up, on powder, fine as cotton, in an adrenaline cloud you take flight. Faster and faster, floating, gravity drifts you wide fluid arcs and rooster tails and nothing ever was but the exhilaration of existence in the here and now.

Descending to the tree line, elements take a different form and now your style must change so as to chase a tighter course switched through trees and over pillows and jumps. Swift and all-consuming, with heart pounding, transported in what seems like an all too brief eternity in perfect powder, riding your own pure wilderness. Out of the trees and then to glide towards conclusion.

It’s over …. for now.

We recognise that feeling, but cannot convey the moment. It evaporates like mist, yet is etched in memory forever. The dream is now reality.

Expand your horizons – Gulmarg Heliski.

By: Paul Roggeveen

Paul Roggeveen — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:03:36 +0000

After my parents showed me the beauty of skiing I combined my passion for the sport with my passion to travel. The result was skiing in many places around the world to meet different cultures and do what I love most, skiing. After skiing for so many years you get more selective on the runs. It becomes more a fact of chasing that perfect run. I have already booked my trip to Gulmarg because for me it seems the ultimate combination of culture and skiing. What would be the icing on the cake? Your answer is correct, skiing that perfect run!

By: Piers Harrison

Piers Harrison — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:52:36 +0000

There’s nothing better than standing next to a helicopter knowing that in half an hour you’ll be heli skiing in snow up to your waist while your jealous mates are at work.

On the flipside there’s nothing more crushing than a heavy blanket of fog descending preventing any chance of take off. We can’t fly and end up having a “heli lunch” on the ground while hoping the fog will lift. Probably the worst part is driving a painful 400km back home to have your mates laugh at you when you say you didn’t even get to go for a heliski. Well that was my first and only heli lunch experience and I think it’s time for me to step it up…

What better way to step it up than to jump on a plane here in New Zealand in the middle of a hot summer and fly to the Himalayas for some ultimate leg burning runs. Even better will be knowing that the insanely long powder run with that gnarly cliff I just flew off is going to be called whatever I want, forever…

Could life get any better? I’ll tell you when I get back from Gulmarg…

By: Mirza Adil

Mirza Adil — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:09:39 +0000

I being a resident of the beautiful valley of Kashmir have always enjoyed the pristine glory and magnificence of the Valley of flowers or Gulmarg.As a kid I used to come here with my dad enjoying and relaxing here but I wanted to set my pulse raising. I always had a dream of climbing on top of the mt. Apharwat n ripping the slopes during winter.My dream is not fulfilled yet but I believe one day i will climb up on top and yell out loud…..It’s my day and I am fulfilling my childhood dream.That child will finally come alive when I will climb and ski down the slopes of this beautiful ski resort.
I have always treated skiing like a woman . Skiing on the slopes is just like dancing with a women . You must know what turns you on and you should move when she moves. It’s all about the balancing act.

If keats would have been alive he would simply feel the exuberance of being here in this beautiful valley of Gulmarg where every snow particle is as precious as White Gold…

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:58:56 +0000

The ridiculously deep, never ending, adrenaline fueled, beath taking POWDER!

By: Everton Aimi

Everton Aimi — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:30:35 +0000

Nothing can be better than you realize two dreams in one simple shot, first ,fly into the Heli to the pic to make a first line in a incredible powder. second, these powder to be in the himalayan mountain, Gulmarg, the spot that a thinking all days in my last four years. But now I am ready to do my best snow trip . I am going to Gulmarg man !!!! From Brazil to Kashmir realize my gold dream . To my live change in perfect dream I am only not have the heli, becouse to Gulmarg I am going. and you?.