Lack Of Explosives Delays Skiing In Gulmarg This Season outlookindia.com

Abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, has hit an unusual target. Skiing in upper reaches of Gulmarg has been delayed as the government has imposed a ban on transporting explosive material used for triggering avalanches in Gulmarg ski resort to make snow slopes danger-free for skiers. However, Director Tourism Nisar Ahmad Wani said the explosive material was procured and was on way to the Valley. The government has already hired snow safety officer from the United States who is expert in triggering low avalanches in Gulmarg. “There was a ban on explosives. We have now procured it after proper permission from the government,” Wani said.

The skier resort Gulmarg is divided into two zones — green and red zone. “The area on both sides of Gondola, 100 meters each, is the green zone. We usually trigger avalanches in these areas after every snowfall to make the area safe for skiers and make skiing risk free,” said a skier. He said beyond the green zone, all area was a red zone with considerable risk of avalanches. He says for skiing in the red zone the snow safety officer after every snowfall triggers the snow avalanches.