For the first time, the Omar Abdullah-led government is all set to buy snow-making machines to carpet the Gulmarg slopes with man-made snow in a bid to advance the ski season in the famed winter resort. The ski-tourism season in Gulmarg normally starts in January, but the tourism department wants to start it from mid-November itself.
The snow machines will sprinkle water vapours in the air through a snow gun which will freeze in the ambient temperature and fall down as snow flakes on the desired area.
The snow flakes will create a snow-layer of three to four inches which will be ideal for the skiing.
“There is defined skiing season in Europe. Our ski season depends on environmental conditions. Our ski season starts only when it snows. With the help of these machines we can ensure that our ski season starts on November 15 or December 1,” Talat Parvez, director tourism Kashmir, told dna.
The government is planning to buy both fixed and mobile machines which are likely to be commissioned by next year. “We are analysing the technical specification of the machines. Once it is finalised, we will invite tenders. We hope by next year we will be able to have the machines,” said Talat adding the government is yet to earmark a budget for the same.
Situated at an altitude of 2,690 meters, famed winter resort of Gulmarg was declared seventh top ski resort of Asia in a survey in 2010. Famous for its lush green meadows and world class Alps, the resort is home to Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth highest peak.
The USP of the resort is the world’s highest ropeway known as Gulmarg Gandola is that it ascends from 2,650 meters to the height of 3,747 meters.
The resort also houses elite High Altitude Warfare School of the army which imparts training to the soldiers across the globe in high altitude warfare.
“We will have to do some civil work to level the slopes so that the snow layer can easily be created. The snow machines will only try to supplement till there is a natural snowfall. We want to lure as many as tourists to Gulmarg in lean months of November and December as possible.
And snow machines will go long way in helping us in our endeavour,” said Talat.
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