The Himalayan Ski Village was supposed to be a world-class resort near the top of the world.

SkiRebel.com has learned that plans for a major ski resort in the Indian Himalayas have suffered a new set back.

The Indian government has issued a cancellation notice for the plans, which were first launched with a wave of positive PR six years ago but have been bogged down for the past few years in legal limbo.

The Ski Village concept plan was first proposed back in 2004 by Alfred Ford, a member of the Ford Motors family. The Himalayan Ski Village project was supposed to be a major ski resort close to the established tourism centre of Manali in the Indian Himalayas, which already has rudimentary ski facilities and world famous heli-skiing.

Continue reading ‘Himalayan ski resort dream appears dead’

Mountains near Gulmarg ski resort.

At least 17 soldiers were killed in an avalanche in the heavily fortified zone along the Indian Pakistan boder in Kashmir, close to Gulmarg ski resort on Monday.

The avalanche was set off by soldiers skiing close to an Indian Army high-altitude training camp. Ski school, mountain guides and others from Gulmarg went to help in the rescue effort.

Continue reading ‘Avalanches kill 25 in India and Iran’

The Himalayan Ski Village was supposed to be a world-class resort near the top of the world.

SkiRebel.com has learned that the long planned Himalayan Ski Village in Northern India may finally be canceled according to reports in local media.

The ski village project that envisaged a five-star, world-class, ‘eco-friendly’ resort was first launched in 2006 by Alfred Ford, a member of the famous motor car manufacturing family.

Continue reading ‘Himalayan ski village project facing possible cancellation’

Plastic water bottles and other waste being scattered below the gondola at the world’s highest major ski area, and it’s the subject of a worrying new report from environmental groups, SkiRebel.com has learned.

The Gulmarg ski area in India is facing a “tough battle” in dealing with non-biodegradable waste such as discarded plastic water bottles and packaging material according to the report. The waste lies scattered beneath the route of the gondola, the world’s third highest, reaching around 4,000m (13,000 ft).
Environmentalist M.R.D. Kundangar is concerned that the surrounding ecosystem could be severely damaged.
“Hazardous elements released from this waste matter over a period of time directly effect the local ecology, with the result that soon we may lose many sensitive varieties of medicinal plants,” Kundangar told local media.

Affarwat and its adjoining slopes have many hot-shot spots of very fragile bio-diversity and the hazardous waste is a direct threat to some of the rare medicinal and other plant species that grow here.”

There are no known plans to collect and remove the waste that has so far accumulated on the mountainside.
Resort management, which blames the build up of waste under the gondola on the separate lift operating company, are now reported to be considering banning plastic bottles. The use of polythene bags is reportedly banned in Gulmarg, but the ban is not being enforced, according to visitors.
An alternative to the bottle ban could see visitors charged a deposit on plastic bottles taken up in the gondola which will be refunded if the bottles are brought back for disposal at the bottom of the lift.

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The world’s highest chairlift in Breckenridge, Colorado is 12,840 feet (3,914 m) high, but it could soon be surpassed by a new lift project at the world’s highest ski resort.
The Gulmarg ski resort in India’s Kashmir region already boasts the world’s second highest ski area, with runs up to three miles (5 km) long and the world’s third highest gondola bringing skiers to an altitude of over 13,000 feet (4,000m).
SkiRebel.com has learned that a new lift set to be constructed at Gulmarg this month could potentially add to that resumé, should it surpass the altitude of the lift at Breckenridge. It is not yet clear how high the new lift will be.
The construction of the new lift at an estimated cost of  $2 million was announced last week by Nawang Rigzin Jora, the Minister for Tourism and Culture for the Jammu and Kashmir regions during a tour of Gulmarg.
The world’s highest ski area is Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in China, and Bolivia claimed the second highest before it was closed due to climate change melting the snow pack. The world’s two highest gondolas are both in China.

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An artificial ski slope is reported to be currently under construction at Auli, a tourist spot and well known ski centre located at an altitude of 2,500m in the Indian Himalayas.

The area, one of India’s best known ski resorts although with facilities including a chairlift and cable car, will host the Asian winter games this December, however some reports claim that there has been very little natural snowfall for the past two winters, possibly due to global warming, and thus the local authorities are investing in the artificial surface slope as well as a new snowmaking system.
Auli is regarded as one of India and asia’s most beautiful ski areas, located in pine forests in a region where the temperature can drop to -8 degrees celcius at night time in mid-winter.
Auli is linked to the gateway town of Joshimath by what was, when it opened, the longest cablecar in Asia, supported by ten towers. The foundation for that ropeway was laid by the then prime minister, Indira Gandhi, in 1983 with the lift, which has two 25 passenger cabins, completed in 1994.
The ascent of 4.78km (almost 3 miles) takes 20 minutes and offers spectacular views. Ski lifts include a chair and a French built 500m long surface tow, also the longest in the country when it opened.
The slopes of Auli are flanked by stately coniferous and oak forests and visitors to the resort can enjoy panoramic views of Himalayan peaks like the Nanda Devi (7817m), Kamet (7756m), Mana Parbat (7273m) and Dunagiri (7066m).

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Skiing in Jammu and Kashmir is a thrilling and exciting experience for any adventure enthusiast. The Ski Club of India was established in Gulmarg in 1927, which is now considered as the ski paradise of India. Just 50 km from Srinagar, situated at an altitude of 2,730 m, Gulmarg changes its scenery from a flowery meadow to that of a small ski resort in winters. Ski-lovers from all over the country flock to the place because it is the only ski-resort in the mighty Himalayas where you can ski with a magnificent view of the Karakorams.

Continue reading ‘Skiing in Jammu Kashmir: skiing on top of the world’