If you happen to plan a holiday to snow-clad Gulmarg, here are some experiences you simply cannot afford to miss during your wintery-vacation. By Bayar Jain
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Come winter, and Gulmarg’s rolling green hills dress in a white coat of snow with pine trees shooting out into the overcast skies. This winter wonderland transforms into a land of happy skiers sliding down its slopes, and its cool breeze lingers with a poetic whiff. Adding to this charm are various unmissable experiences signature to Gulmarg during this time. We’ve rounded up some of the best ones for you so you don’t miss out on the wintery fun the next time you visit:
1. Ski The Slopes
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The powdery-soft snow here has lured ski-enthusiasts and novice adventurists for years. Facilitating this slew of tourists is a cableway set up at 3,980 metres, which ferries passengers across its slopes. Plus, the fact that the hill-town sees a flurry of tourists every years lends itself to safety precautions in abundance. Think regular patrolling, provision of safety equipment, classes for beginners, and more.
2. Trek The Landscapes
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An experience reserved for the braver few, winter treks in Gulmarg can be arduous, to say the least. Picture freezing temperatures, rocky and slippery landscapes, and harsh weather. Its magnetism, however, largely resides in the stunning views that surface during this time. The most favoured trail is the one towards Apharwat Peaks. Barely a few kilometres from the Line of Control (LoC), these twin peaks comes paired with a frozen Alpather Lake during January and February.
3. Ride Gondolas
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Irrespective of whether you wish to ski or not, Gulmarg’s gondolas are a must on every traveller’s bucket list. Divided into three phases, at the highest point, Gulmarg gondola offers spellbinding views of the Nanda Devi and Pir Panjal ranges. When here, simply sit back and soak in the majestic views. But beware of the long lines that lead up to the vehicles. After all, the gondolas are a crowd favourite!
4. Gorge On Local Dishes
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In all honesty, Kashmiri food is lip-smackingly tasty all through the year, but when paired with the surrounding cool weather, you get flavours incomparable. Think a warm cup of spice-infused kehwa with rogan josh, nadru yakhni and phirni served in a typical wazwan style. Contrary to popular belief, the land has many options for non-meat eaters too like dum aloo, and Kashmiri saag.
5. Laze At Resorts
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When in snow-clad Gulmarg, the best way to enjoy is by relaxing, and the many boutique properties and hotels here offer just that. Whether it is the upscale The Khyber Resort & Spa, the traditionally vintage The Vintage Gulmarg, or the cosy Highlands Park, Gulmarg is sure to transfix you.
Related: Gulmarg Reopens Gondola Ride For Tourists After Experiencing Season’s First Snowfall
Bayar Jain
Senior Content Manager
Equipped with a degree in Sociology (Honours) from the University of Delhi, and a post graduate diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai, Bayar enjoys sharing stories of people, places, and different cultures. When not typing her travel tales, you can catch the hobbyist photographer capturing the next frame, dabbling in arts and crafts, or gushing over puppers and kittens.
