Kashmir Ski School · Snowboarding course
Basic Snowboarding Course (5 Days)
Traverse beginner slopes all the way up to Gondola Phase 1 at 3,050 m. Snowboard with the pros on both gentle and challenging high-alpine slopes.
Five days is the perfect length to go beyond base-slope drills and move up to steeper terrain. During this time, you'll not only improve your stance, edge control, and balance on beginner slopes but also learn to carve fluid S-turns and ride Gulmarg's world-famous Gondola Phase 1.
During the first three days, training takes place on base nursery slopes without lift access. Walking up gentle inclines with your board builds essential leg stamina, core strength, edge awareness, and board control before you progress to lift-assisted gondola terrain on Day 5.
- Duration
- 5 full days (morning pickup to 4:00 PM hotel drop-off daily)
- Skill level
- Beginner to intermediate
- Training grounds
- Base nursery slopes and Gondola Phase 1 (Kongdoori)
- Maximum altitude
- 3,050 meters (Gondola Phase 1)
- Includes
- Certified instructor, full snowboard equipment and outerwear, daily hotel transfers, video coaching, gondola passes, airport transfers, and 24/7 guest support
The offer
Why choose our 5-day beginner course?
Five days is the perfect length to go beyond base-slope drills and move up to steeper terrain. During this time, you'll not only improve your stance, edge control, and balance on beginner slopes but also learn to carve fluid S-turns and ride Gulmarg's world-famous Gondola Phase 1, which takes you up to 3,050 m to tackle a 4 km snowboard descent. Best of all, we handle everything, and you'll learn with some of the most skilled snowboarders until you're ready to ride independently.
Why train with us
Why Train With Kashmir Ski & Snowboarding School?
All your gear's included
We get you all your equipment, including high-performance snowboards, snowboarding boots, custom bindings, certified safety helmets, anti-fog goggles, and waterproof jackets and pants. No need to lug and pay for heavy equipment; travel light.
You learn with skilled instructors
Our snowboarding coaches are Gulmarg locals with over 15 years of riding and teaching experience. They know our slopes inside out and provide safe, patient, and step-by-step lessons.
Training runs in small groups
We limit group sizes and use daily video analysis to review your posture, weight transfer, and edge transitions to improve your performance.
You get meticulous hospitality
From Srinagar Airport transfers and hotel shuttles to lift pass management, hot tea after runs, and evening bonfires — we handle every detail off the snow and take exceptional hospitality seriously.
Skills
What you'll learn in this course
Using your gear correctly
Check regular versus goofy leading foot, change binding stance angles, and stay centered.
Heel and toe control
Learn to side-slip on both edges, control your speed, stop quickly in an emergency, and practice the falling leaf maneuver.
Fluid S-turns
Make smooth edge-to-edge weight shifts. Learn how not to catch downhill edges.
Gondola navigation
Understand how to safely load, ride, and unload gondolas with your board, then enjoy 4 km of groomed mountain runs from Gondola Phase 1 (3,050 m).
Speed regulation and rhythm
Shape your turns and adjust the radius and rhythm on different slope gradients to maintain momentum.
Day by day
Your course overview
Training runs daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, followed by hotel transfers and evening social sessions.
Day 1
Getting there, gear hire, and flat-ground drills
Flat-ground mobility drills, equipment setup, and orientation (no lifts needed today).
Our driver takes you straight to our equipment center once you arrive in Gulmarg (or land at Srinagar Airport). Based on your height, weight, boot size, and riding position, our professionals will tailor your setup.
After your fitting, join our coaches for an introduction that covers slope etiquette, alpine safety requirements, binding setup, regular vs. goofy posture evaluation, and board mechanics. Go to the nursery slope in the afternoon to practice safe falling techniques, board balance, straight glides, and one-foot skating.
- Snowboarding boots and snowboards
- Anti-fog goggles and a certified safety helmet
- Insulated gloves, snowboard pants, and a waterproof jacket
Day 2
Falling leaf drills and heel-edge control
Practice safe stopping, speed control, and heel-edge pressure.
Day 2 zeroes in on the heel edge, your main technique for stopping your board and controlling speed. Throughout the day, your instructor gives you targeted coaching to help you become more confident.
- 9:45 AM: Pickup from your hotel and transfer to the base slopes.
- 10:00 AM: Meet your instructor and begin edge control exercises.
- Maintain the correct posture (weight centered, chest upright, knees flexed)
- Practice heel-side side-slips on easy inclines
- Use exact heel-edge pressure to control speed
- Traverse left and right across the slope on your heel edge using the falling leaf technique
- Stop with more control
Day 3
First edge transitions and toe-edge control
Today's focus is on toe-edge drills, preparing you to transition smoothly between both edges for linked S-turns. You can begin linking continuous turns tomorrow, having practiced both edges by the end of Day 3.
- 9:45 AM: Pickup from your hotel for transfer to the slopes.
- 10:00 AM: Brief review of Day 2 heel-edge technique followed by toe-edge drills.
- Practice toe-edge stance, balance, and ankle engagement
- Practice toe-side side-slips down gentle inclines
- Strengthen your falling leaf technique on your toe edge
- Alternate between heel-side and toe-side balance holds
- Make basic turns to control speed and direction
Day 4
Connecting S-turns and riding steeper nursery slopes
Today, you combine your toe edge and heel training to make smooth, continuous S-turns down slightly steeper mountain terrain. By Day 4, you'll be able to make smoother, more controlled S-turns and should be ready for your Gondola Phase 1 debut.
- 9:45 AM: Hotel pickup and transfer to the slopes.
- 10:00 AM: Advance to longer beginner slopes to link edges across steeper gradients.
- Smoothly connecting toe-side and heel-side turns without catching downhill edges
- Developing a steady riding rhythm and S-turn forms
- Using the turn form to control speed instead of sudden braking
- Improving stance and upper-body alignment on steeper slopes
Day 5
Gondola Phase 1 debut (3,050 m) and a 4 km alpine descent
Advance to the renowned 4 km mountain run in Gulmarg. Use your turn mechanics to navigate open alpine terrain with your guide, doing many full descents throughout the day.
By the end of Day 5, you will be able to safely carve uninterrupted parallel S-turns down 4 km mountain runs on Gondola Phase 1!
- 9:45 AM: Pickup and transfer at Gulmarg Gondola base station.
- 10:00 AM: Ascend to Gondola Phase 1 (Kongdoori) for high-alpine riding at 3,050 meters.
- Using your board to safely load and unload gondolas
- Making continuous S-turns on lengthy 4-kilometer descents
- Controlling momentum and speed over shifting terrain grades
- Choosing secure routes on expansive alpine descents
Before you arrive
How to physically prepare
- To prevent muscle soreness and build your stamina, we recommend preparing your body a few weeks before arriving. Squats, lunges, plank holds, leg stretches, and light cardio are some of the workouts you can include in your schedule.
- Lift access on Days 1–3: During the first three days, training takes place on base nursery slopes without lift access. Walking up gentle inclines with your board builds essential leg stamina, core strength, edge awareness, and board control before you progress to lift-assisted gondola terrain on Day 5.
FAQs
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Talk with our snowboarding experts about gear, timing, or whether this course fits your Gulmarg stay.