SRINAGAR: In a scathing indictment of the state of affairs at the Gulmarg Ski Area, a recent report by the government-appointed Snow Safety Officer, Brian Newman, has revealed glaring inadequacies in the infrastructure and operations management of the popular skiing destination, Chadigarh newspaper, The Tribune reported.
Newman’s report, titled 2024 End of Season Report, paints a bleak picture of the ski area’s performance during the winter months, according to the newspaper. Despite the challenges posed by the weather, Newman notes that skiers and snowboarders continued to flock to Gulmarg in February and March. However, their experiences were marred by the inconsistent operation of key facilities, namely the gondola and chairlift, which failed to adhere to reliable hours of operation.
The report highlights a lack of accountability among operations staff, who frequently failed to meet established timings without consequence. Newman recounts a meeting with cable car Operations Managers in February, during which assurances were given regarding the adherence to past season timings. However, these promises proved empty, with repeated failures to load ski patrollers for avalanche mitigation tasks and delays in opening the ski area after snowstorms.
The report calls attention to the dire need for equipment upgrades, citing outdated ski patrol radios, avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes. Newman emphasises that these deficiencies not only jeopardize the safety of guests and staff but also hinder the timely preparation of the ski area for opening.
In light of these findings, Newman advocates for a shift towards winter timings as the official policy for January, February, and March, coupled with transparent promotion and support for operations staff. He urges government policymakers to intervene and enforce accountability measures to ensure that Gulmarg Ski Area meets the standards expected by visitors.
