What does the scale above mean to you as a skier or snowboarder in the Gulmarg backcountry? Remember, this advisory is for the Gulmarg backcountry, which means the terrain that is outside of Gulmarg Ski Area. The red areas in the photo below are the Gulmarg backcountry, and the green area is Gulmarg Ski Area. This advisory does not apply to the green zone ski area. Read more here.
For ski area updates during the day please join Gulmarg Avalanche Advisory page on Facebook: http://bit.ly/2jowwOM.
Snowpack Discussion
23 March 2017 – Avalanche danger above Treeline today is Considerable (3), natural avalanches possible, human triggered avalanches likely. Active wind loading from the South/Southwest is depositing fresh wind slabs in the start zones of the bowls of Mount Apharwat and in mid-slope isolated terrain features on Northerly aspects. I’m looking up at the start zones with binoculars as I write this, and there are widespread small natural avalanches from yesterday afternoon and overnight in the start zones. The wind continues at G4 station right now (7:51am). At Treeline and Below Treeline, avalanche danger is Low (1), natural and human triggered avalanches unlikely.
http://www.deepsnowsafety.org/index.php/. We now have enough snow in the conifer forests for skiers and riders to get trapped in tree wells and stream holes. Read more about this phenomenon in the link above. It causes several fatalities each year in other ski regions of the globe.
Avalanche Problem #1 – Wind Slab 
Release of a cohesive layer of snow (a 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.
Danger Aspects
Weather Forecast (link:http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Gulmarg/6day/mid)
Ski Area Timings (23 March 2017)
Phase 1 – 9:30am – 4:30pm (last cabin 4:15pm)
Phase 2 – Likely closed*
Chair Lift – 10:00 – 4:00pm (last chair 3:45pm)*
*We are planning to board the second phase today for avalanche control work at 10:00am. Winds are the key. If the winds remain calm at G4 station this operation can take place. Stay tuned on the Facebook page for updates.
Beacon Training
Today there are (0) beacons buried on Merry Shoulder. The beacon training area here in Gulmarg is located on Merry Shoulder. The orange dot (see photo below) indicates where a red flag is next to a large birch tree. This is the “point last seen”. Start your search here. We have one, two, and three beacons buried here daily. Please do not dig up the beacons, simply cycle through your Primary (signal) search, Secondary (flux line) search, Pinpoint search, and then Probing. A probe strike indicates the end of your search. If you’re interested in learning more, please come by Gulmarg Ski Patrol base at the bottom of the chair lift.
Next avalanche talk is Tuesday, 28 March 2017 at 7:30pm at Pine Palace Resort. Pine Palace Resort is located in Gulmarg meadow. Talks will continue every Tuesday night at 7:30 pm through 28 March, 2017.