Tignes Spirit team rider and back country skier Louise Sharp has been testing out the new Movement Trust skis in the epic Kashmirian powder. She sent us her first installment a couple of weeks ago, but here's her latest update...
Skied around the 'Drung Bowls' and then down to Tangmarg.. Great pow up top and in the trees. The sun has been warm the last few days so the middle sections are a little crusty, but it's been good to get the burn on!
Hooked up with a guide called Mustag Ahmad, local fella who is well-experienced and knows the area well. He's also a total ripper on his skis and is proud to tell of all the pro skiers he has shown around the area. Warren Miller shot here last year for his latest movie. He also reckons he knows a few secret spots in the trees so watch this space...
We called it a day early today as the clouds have just piled in and the first flakes are falling. It is forecast to DUMP... 60cm forecast tonight and then it's supposed to storm until Sunday. The alpine area will be out of the question for the next couple of days so it will all be about the trees... which I am totally amped for!
The trees look like the perfect spacing; not to dense and the thin shape of the tree means there are no tree wells to bail into. The forecast is for a couple of clear days on Sunday and Monday, and then another big storm on Tuesday - bring it ON!!!
It's dumping!! It hasn't stopped for 24hrs and it's still coming down. There's a serious amount of snow right now! The top alpine area wasn't open today so we toured up Monkey Hill first thing (although we didn't see any monkeys!) for the first shred line down the trees.
Then we took the gondi up to the mid station and lapped the chairlift. There were nice lines to be had off Mary's Shoulder and through some of the steeper sections. The snow came out briefly for an epic run.. waist deep powder and all totally fresh. We took a final run through the trees to the hotel and I'm currently curled up by the fire with a beer. More snow is forecast for tomorrow and then it's looking bright and clear for Sunday.
Yesterday was an EPIC day. Bluebird after probably about 1m of fresh powder. Afarwat was untouched, with loads of pristine snow and perfect powder lines from the ridge. We couldn't have asked for better as it felt like we were out on another heli trip! We lapped Afarwat pretty much all day before a final lap down the Drung Bowl and down to Tangmarg for pick up.
Quick special mention to the Gulmarg Avalanche Center. These guys have worked super hard over the last couple of years to increase the avalanche awareness and safety in the Gulmarg resort. They now have access to their own explosives so it's no longer necessary for them to rely on the military to blast some of the sections.
Their website is one of the most informative sites I have ever seen with respect to snow and avalanche conditions. Regular filming and footage of the snow packs throughout the season mean you can follow the snow trend prior to your trip.
Another storm is about to pile in. I think we're in for well over one metre again over the next three days... crazy! I've never seen so much snow! We're planning to head back to the tree lines as we haven't seen any snow leopards yet!
