Kashmir

The season is drawing to a close - for some, for others it's just getting started. Whatever stage you're at and whatever medium you're on, there's something for you this week. We get glimpses behind the NST scenes with Ellery and Jared, Ebba takes us to Kashmir, India, and squeezes into the gondola. The Bunch shoots probably the coolest promotional video for Klättermusen, and Mark McMorris says thank you - and we say it back: here's to lots more snowboarding!

After its visit in the Caucasus last week, we are now accompanying the same low pressure area on its journey eastwards. It is now affecting parts of the mighty Hindu Kush and Karakoram mountain ranges. It is now reaching the Kashmir region, which is covered by PG weather since the last update. Just like the Caucasus, Kashmir is geopolitically extremely sensitive: Pakistan and India have been fighting over the political region of Kashmir for a long time. The mountains around Kashmir are extremely interesting terrain for both trekking in summer and freeriding in winter.

After the first episodes somehow tried to tie themselves together thematically, you now get a colorful bouquet of flowers, a bit of everything. We have a large-scale production worth seeing on offer, plus fresh vlogs from Italy, France and India, and finally we round things off with an in-house explanatory video, but see for yourself!

"Don't worry and enjoy the curry powder." The short message that flickered on my screen was in huge contrast to the much more detailed travel warning from the Foreign Office. The newspaper reports, brought to light by online research, also left a less than inviting impression. However, a brief Facebook message from Dave Watson, a professional skier and first-time K2 conqueror, swept all concerns aside. The decision was made: we were going to ski in Kashmir.

Last Wednesday evening, November 16, 2011 at 7:30 pm, the doors of the 8 Seasons Club opened for the premiere of the film "Soultrip Argentina". Shortly before the club doors opened, a large number of winter sports enthusiasts were already standing at the entrance. The Argentinean steaks were already smelling from the grill and the anticipation of a good evening could be seen in the guests' facial expressions. Not only the "Soultrip"movie was on the agenda, but also the premiere of "Path of Roses" with Eva Walkner and Katharina Schuler.

It's cold, we're feeling the jet lag and the car has no heating. We drive from the airport in Srinargar to Gulmarg in the sleet and pass the fifth military roadblock. Even after the civil war, traffic in Kashmir is controlled by heavily armed Indian soldiers at all strategically important points...

How do you get there? For example, with Lufthansa from Munich to New Delhi, departing in the evening and landing 8 hours later in the morning. Onward flight with Indian Air to Srinargar, approx. 1 hour. From there you will be picked up at the airport and drive about 2 hours up to the Gulmarg ski resort.

Today is to be our first day in the fresh, untracked Kashmir powder. We meet our guide Mamout, who immediately tells us that the gondola won't be running today...