In the realm of Gulmarg, Russian traveler Andrew found the anticipation of snowfall well worth the wait, eager to test his skiing prowess on the undulating slopes of Apharwat in this renowned northern Kashmir ski haven. The idyllic Gulmarg, celebrated for its awe-inspiring vistas and top-tier skiing terrain, has emerged as a magnet for thrill-seekers and nature aficionados alike, following a recent snowfall that terminated a dry spell lasting over two months.
The absence of snow during the winter zenith left those associated with tourism disheartened, while winter sports enthusiasts anxiously awaited the transformation of the locale into a winter wonderland. Finally, towards the conclusion of January, the much-awaited snowfall transpired, spreading joy across the faces of both locals and tourists.
Skiing enthusiast Andrew, in his late 30s, expressed, “Skiing here is an immense pleasure. In my homeland, we have similar landscapes, but not with such towering mountains. However, here, it’s a novel experience, marked by distinct culture, panoramic views, and elevated peaks.” Andrew conveyed his disappointment, recounting how the prolonged dry spell and snow-deprived mountains had initially led to deferred plans for his visit to the Valley.
“I arrived on January 18, anticipating abundant snow. Regrettably, no snowfall occurred, compelling me to endure an extended wait. I journeyed to Chandigarh, Shimla, and Dharamshala, anticipating favorable conditions. I’m delighted to finally be here,” he shared. Similar to Andrew, numerous tourists from various corners of the globe are converging on the renowned ski resort to relish moments with their families in the serene ambiance of Gulmarg, approximately 50 km from the summer capital Srinagar.
With the advent of fresh snow, tourists from far and wide are descending upon Gulmarg to savor the exhilaration of descending down powdery slopes and reveling in the tranquil beauty of snow-draped mountains. The dry spell over the past two months, including Chilai-e-Kalan, the harsh 40-day winter phase with higher chances of snow, prompted many tourists to either cancel or postpone their visits to the Valley.
As per the tourism department, the destination witnessed an astonishing influx of 19,532 visitors within merely six days of February following the recent snowfall. The data reveals that 15,086 domestic visitors, 4,290 locals, and 156 foreigners explored Gulmarg from February 1 to 6.
Rohit from Madhya Pradesh narrated their experience, “We had put our Kashmir booking on hold for two months due to the lack of snowfall. However, upon hearing about the snowfall, we rushed to Kashmir.” Rohit embarked on a tiresome 24-hour car journey to Srinagar after his flight got canceled due to fresh snowfall.
“It’s genuinely heavenly here, truly beautiful. It’s my first time witnessing something of this magnitude,” he exclaimed, recounting the joy of sledding during his Gulmarg visit. He urged fellow countrymen to visit Kashmir at least once in their lives to savor the Valley’s natural beauty.
Not only Rohit, but many tourists from different parts of the country have also been captivated by the enchanting allure of Gulmarg. Among them is Deepanshi from Haryana, who patiently waited for almost three months to embark on her dream trip to Kashmir.
“Finally, we find ourselves in Gulmarg, the winter wonderland, and we’re thoroughly enjoying it. It’s splendid. We’re frolicking in the snow and having a marvelous time here,” she added. Tourism stakeholders are optimistic about a further surge in visitor arrivals with the commencement of the second edition of the Khelo India Winter Games 2024 from February 21 to 25.
Originally slated for Gulmarg from February 2 to 6, the fourth edition of the grassroots-level multi-sports competition was relocated from J&K to the Union Territory of Ladakh for the first time due to a lack of snow in the nation’s premier skiing destination. Jammu and Kashmir hosted the previous editions of the games in 2020, 2021, and 2023. The weather forecast indicates another bout of snowfall at numerous locations in Jammu and Kashmir from February 18 to 20.