Snowpack Discussion
The snowpack in Gulmarg right now appears to be completely safe on the surface. There are multiple ski tracks on all aspects, and no avalanches have occurred in the immediate area by natural or human trigger in the past 6 days. However, snow tests have given positive results every day for the past 6 days on a persistent weak layer that is 62-70cms beneath the snow surface. This layer is an old surface crust, and it has sugary faceted snow on either side of it. We have found this layer has the ability to produce a slab avalanche on all aspects in the alpine zone (above 3000m). These slab avalanches can be small to large. TODAY, it is possible for you to produce a slab avalanche that can bury and/or kill you. This avalanche problem is called a Persistent Slab. Read more about Persistent Slabs in the problem description below. Likely areas for triggering one of these avalanches is on steeper, shallow snow terrain near ridgelines.
In addition to the Persistent Slab avalanche problem, we also have a Wind Slab problem. If you trigger a wind slab right now, it will be on a leeward top-loaded aspect (Northwest-North-Northeast) near the top of ridge lines. It may be only be a small to medium-sized avalanche, but these avalanches have the ability to carry you over rocks and cliff bands, causing traumatic injury. It is also possible to trigger a wind slab avalanche in cross-loaded mid-slope isolated terrain features on West-Northwest-North-Northeast-East aspects.
If the terminology of this advisory seems foreign to you, I highly recommend your not going in the back country or opting to go with a guide who knows the terrain in Gulmarg, and also understands the mechanics of safe back country travel. I am happy to recommend a guide, and you can call us at 946-984-2959.
Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Slab – 
Release of a cohesive layer of snow (slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Wind Slabs form in specific areas, and are confined to lee and cross-loaded terrain features. They can be avoided by sticking to sheltered or wind-scoured areas.
Avalanche Problem #2
Persistent Slab – 
Release of a cohesive layer of soft to hard snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab. The best ways to manage the risk from Persistent Slabs is to make conservative terrain choices. They can be triggered by light loads and weeks after the last storm. The slabs often propagate in surprising and unpredictable ways. This makes this problem difficult to predict and manage and requires a wide safety buffer to handle the uncertainty.
Weather Discussion (for 3250 meters): Sunny skies continue today with temperatures hovering around zero degrees. Expect occasional light winds from a Southerly direction today. Clouds will begin to move in late afternoon. Our next snowfall is forecasted for Monday night into Tuesday of next week. Forecasts are for minimal accumulation. We’ll take it.
Gulmarg Ski Area (green zone) Timings for 17/1/2016:
Phase 1 – 0830-1630
Phase 2 – 0900-1600
Chair Lift – 0900-1530
NOTICE: Phase 1 of Gulmarg Gondola will be closed for routine maintenance on Monday 18 January starting at 9am. If you would like to ski or ride phase 2 or the chair lift on Monday, you will need to board the gondola before 9 am. Touring up to G3 station is also an option if 9am is too early for you.
Height of Snow at Top of Gondola: 290cms
Height of Snow at Mid Station of Gondola: 81cms
Height of Snow at Base of Gondola: 50cms
Beacon Training Center on Merry Shoulder is OPEN with 2 BEACONS. Come by Gulmarg ski patrol base at mid mountain to learn the location of the beacon training center and hone your search skills and times.
Next avalanche talk is Wednesday, 20 January, 2016 at 7:30pm at Hotel Hilltop. Hotel Hilltop is located across from the ice skating rink in Gulmarg meadow. Talks will continue every Wednesday night at 7:30 pm through 30 March, 2016.