7-Day Guided Backcountry Ski Package
About this package
A week built for skiers who already move comfortably on skins and want guided access to terrain beyond Gulmarg's lift network. Backcountry trips leave the Gondola behind. You skin under your own power into zones the lifts do not reach, including Babareshi, Drung and Tosamaidan, with full touring kit, avalanche rescue gear, and a guide trained to read snowpack rather than just terrain. This is a bigger commitment than a freeride week and the rewards are different. Fewer runs, longer days, and terrain almost nobody else is skiing. The trip runs 8 days in total with arrival and departure.
Pricing is built around the equipment you already own. Please contact us to discuss your requirements and receive a quotation.
Day wise itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, touring gear fitting and safety briefing
Airport pickup and hotel check in, then fitting for touring skis, bindings, skins and poles. Your guide runs a full avalanche safety and beacon search briefing before anyone tours.
Day 2: Skinning technique and rescue drills
A shorter tour close to Gulmarg to work on skinning efficiency, kick turns and transitions, plus practical beacon, shovel and probe drills in the field.
Day 3: First full touring day
A complete ascent and descent in terrain your guide selects from current conditions, with snowpack observations along the way.
Day 4: Babareshi
Remote transport out to Babareshi for a full day of touring and descents.
Day 5: Drung
A day in the Drung zone, with route and objective set by stability and snow quality that morning.
Day 6: Snow study and flexible day
Held loosely. Depending on conditions this is a snowpack study day with the snow science kit, a rest day, or another full tour.
Day 7: Tosamaidan or best available zone
The last full day, with your guide choosing between Tosamaidan and whichever zone is holding the best snow.
Day 8: Departure
Breakfast and airport transfer.
What is included / What is not included
- Airport pick up and drop off
- Hotel accommodation (3 star or 4 star)
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Free Wi-Fi and 24 hour hot water
- Complete touring ski equipment
- Touring bindings and climbing skins
- Foldable ski poles
- Essential safety gear
- Avalanche safety equipment: beacon, shovel, probe and backpack
- Snow science kit and snow saw
- Professional backcountry ski guide
- Gulmarg Gondola Phase 1 and Phase 2 lift passes
- Chairlift passes
- Daily transport between hotel and slopes
- Remote backcountry transport to Babareshi, Drung and Tosamaidan
- Walkie talkies
- Emergency medical assistance
- Airfare to Srinagar
- Lunch
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- GST, where applicable
Frequently asked questions
Do I need touring experience to join this trip?
Yes. You should already be comfortable skinning uphill under your own power and confident skiing off piste. This is not the trip to learn touring on, though your guide will refine your skinning technique and transitions during the first days.
How long are the days?
Longer than a lift day. Backcountry touring means you earn every descent, and a full day out can run several hours of ascent for a handful of runs. Fitness matters here more than anywhere else in our programme.
What is a snow science kit for?
Digging and reading snow pits. Your guide uses it to check how the layers in the snowpack are bonded, which is how decisions about where to ski actually get made rather than guessed at.
Can I use my own touring setup?
Yes, and it can reduce what you pay. If you own touring skis, avalanche safety equipment or an airbag pack, send us your equipment list before booking and we will build a custom quotation around it.
What are Babareshi, Drung and Tosamaidan like?
All three sit outside the lift network and need vehicle transport to reach, which is included. They are quieter than anything near the Gondola, and the terrain and snow character differ enough between them that your guide picks based on the day rather than a rotation.
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