Gulmarg, India (Monday, July 17, 2006) - After three decades of planning and under construction since 1991, officials in Gulmarg last year finally completed construction of a big new gondola with a mind-numbing vertical rise of 1,330 meters (4,364 feet) that ascends to 4390-meter (13,400-foot) Afarwat Peak. Gulmarg is now the only alpine resort in the Himalayas with big lift infrastructure, and the resort’s gondola has more vertical than any lift in the USA. The Australian company Skihimalaya.com is now taking bookings for the 2006/07 winter at very enviable prices.

Prices for the company's regular 15-night itinerary start at US$960 per person and include centrally heated ski-to-gondola twin or double share accommodation, overnight accommodation in Delhi and Srinagar, most meals, and transfers between Srinagar and Gulmarg. Prices for their 12-night "New Year" itinerary start at US$805 per person.

Prices for two weeks of guiding with Ski Himalaya’s Kashmir Powdercats is US$500. The Powdercats provide guests with local transport and guiding. Powdercat drivers and guides are local Kashmiris who have grown up in the area and include former Indian and Kashmir state ski-racing champions.

In good weather, the company's guides focus on the gondola’s high alpine terrain, including classic descents in excess of 1750 vertical meters (5,741 feet) from Mt. Apharwat to the Kongdoori Valley. In bad weather, the focus shifts to magnificent forest glades falling from Gulmarg to the valley.

For more information, visit www.skihimalaya.com.