Want to ski in the Himalayas? Well of course you do and now Telluride local Matt Appleford is making it easier than ever for you to get over there with his new business The Adventure Project. His guide company is setting up all-inclusive trips around the world starting with India this coming season. The following is what Matt had to say about the company he recently founded:
“The Adventure Project specializes in taking adventurous-minded skiers and boarders around the globe in search of powder and to immerse ourselves in foreign cultures. They will be launching their “Gulmarg Powder Sessions” to the Indian Himalayas this upcoming winter. Gulmarg is an up and coming ‘resort’ in Kashmir, in northern India, in the Pir Panjal range, one of 6 mountain ranges that make up the Himalayas.
The town of Gulmarg boasts the second highest gondola in the world at 3890m (12,762ft) and gives access to a massive 5 km (3.1 mile) long ridgeline with over 33 named ridges and bowls, with unlimited options for touring. The area receives around 42 ft of snow (12.8m) annually and you can ski over 1330 vertical metres (4,363 vertical ft) back to to the mid-station. Runs cost 250 INR or approximately $5. The word about Gulmarg is slowly getting around, however it remains relatively unheard of here in the US, despite being featured in a couple of Warren Miller movies and several other ski/snowboard productions. A busy day in Gulmarg is around 200 people on the slopes.”
The Adventure Project will be offering 3, 2-week sessions to Gulmarg this upcoming winter. Check out their website, www.TheAdventureProject.net for more info and pricing. They are catering to small groups of advanced skiers and snowboarders with a focus on avalanche safety, improving freeride technique and guiding in amazing terrain.
Gulmarg is a freerider’s dream and a unique opportunity to explore an otherwise untapped part of the skiing world with like-minded people, all without breaking the bank. Plus they offer deals on all the necessary backcountry gear you may need, via their many sponsors. Dave Liechty, the owner and founder of Grace Skis, one of their sponsors, will be accompanying The Adventure Project on some of their tours. This will be a great chance to try some of their amazing skis and ride with the company’s founder! Keep an eye out, you will be seeing big things from Grace Skis this August……
The Adventure Project will be expanding their offerings to trips in South America, Japan, New Zealand, Russia and other exciting destinations in the upcoming seasons. Stay tuned here as well, as Unofficial will be featuring some of The Adventure Project season edits soon!
This would be amazing, I would be curious to see how it turns out. Gulmarg is notorious for its war stricken state and problems with Pakistan rebels. I wonder how much time the guides have put into considering the violence that effects this region. I have friends in India who have warned me about traveling to Gulmarg without a local Indian guide
Good question Shred Head. We have considered the history of Kashmir when selling our tours. Kashmir was especially dangerous during the 1990′s but since 2000, the situation has improved immensely. We have visited Gulmarg 3 times now, 2008, 2010 and 2011 and have never felt threatened in any way. The Kashmiri’s are some of the most hospitable people on the planet and are happy to see tourist numbers increasing again. Having said that, there is still a massive military presence in Kashmir, a hangover from the 90′s, so if that kind of thing worries you, then a trip to Kashmir might not be for you. However, most people quickly become de-sensitized to this. We also have a ‘man on the ground’ in Gulmarg, who is ready to assist us in any way. Hope that givess you some useful information.
So why would one pay inflated US prices for a “guided” and otherwise cheep ski touring trip to india? Seems to me best option is grab a buddy and just go!
One way or the other just go. Be sure your buddy has your back and you have his because you are on your own. There is no rescue where you’ll want to be riding most of your time in Gulmarg and it is up to you and your party to get out of any sticky situations on the hill. The bony couloir just visible in the third photo above is in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk-5gXnucrQ