Gulmarg Sightseeing

Fast Facts
State: Jammu and Kashmir
District: Baramulla
Famous for/as: Hill Station
Languages: Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi
Best Season: March - Oct
Weather: Summer 10 to 37°C, Winter -8 to 11°C
Altitude: 2690 m
Pincode: 193403
STD code: 01954



Gulmarg is one of the beautiful place that can be visited in Kashmir valley. Gulmarg was called Gaurimarg, named after Shiva’s coasts. Gulmarg's legendary beauty, Gulmarg literally means meadow of flowers. It is a majestic hill station in the district of Baramula of Jammu and Kashmir in India. The hill station, at an altitude of 2730 m, was earlier known as Gaurimarg, Gulmarg is an eye catching place with picturesque surroundings, beautiful gardens with mind blogging flowers and fragrance. This is one of the best ski resorts in India as it gets heavy snowfall, especially during winter which makes it the best time to book Kashmir tour packages. Some of the highest ski slopes in India lies in the sloppy Himalayan regions in Gulmarg.

Gulmarg in Winters
prime location and proximity to Srinagar make it one of the premier hill resort in the country. Gulmarg, the hill resort is located only 52 km. to the south west of Srinagar in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. Gulmarg is situated at an altitude of 2730 meters above sea level and has a gently sloping topography
Mother Nature has blessed the regions of Gulmarg with all its showers of beauty and the tranquil atmosphere available presently in this region makes it a best tourist destination. Gulmarg is credited with the longest and highest cable car project in Asia.

Attractions
Gondola Lift Ride

The wonderful attraction in Gulmarg is the Cable Car ride, which is also known as Gondola Lift/Ride (1 km west of Gulmarg’s bus stand). Jammu and Kashmir State Cable Car Corporations manage the Gulmarg Cable Car ride.
For a fun-filled ride of a most unusual kind, Gulmarg's newly constructed Gondola lift through pine-clad slopes is an experience of a lifetime. This Gondola will take you up above 15,000 feet and is one of the highest in the world. Here, you can touch the skies and merge with the clouds.

Golfing
It is for golfing that Gulmarg has long been famous. There is also a green 18-hole golf course in Gulmarg which is also the world's highest golf course. The Gulmarg Golf Club has been in existence for over a hundred years and there are records, dating from that time, which make fascinating reading. The Clubhouse itself, reminiscent of a Swiss chalet with its quaintly sloping roof, has a rare old character. The Golf Club offers short-term memberships to the players. The payment of a fee entitles one to play on the golf course. One can also hire the golf sets from Gulmarg.

Walking
Gulmarg also offers some excellent opportunities for long walks. Walking along Gulmarg’s circular path you only have to look down to have a complete view of the valley including Srinagar. A fine view can also be had of Nanga Parbat, the naked mountain which is over 26,000 feet and dominates the entire region.

Skiing & Winter Sports

Skiing and snowboarding are two main activities which can be carried out in Gulmarg and it has become the most popular spot for skiing in India. Winter comes here with all its majesty and snow falling makes the landscape covered with thick glossy smooth snow skiing with the ski lifts and chair lifts. In winter Gulmarg's natural slopes and inclines turn into the country’s premier skiing resort. Not all tourists who visit in winter come for skiing - some simply are there to watch the skiing or to enjoy a holiday in the snow. Among the various slopes, there are a few which are serviced by ski lifts. Most of the skiing becomes centred on these slopes, which are specially suited to beginners and intermediate level skiers, with ski runs ranging from 200 m to 3kms, instructors are available for both levels.

As in the summer, when each individual sets his own pace for a holiday, so also in winter, skiing can be as adventurous as the holidaymaker can want. There are a number of slopes, not serviced by ski lifts, of varying lengths and gradients. Each of these is quieter than the immensely popular ones with ski lifts. Advanced skiers often trek in the snow for several hours to the very top of Apharwat peak, to make a descent lasting no more than 30 minutes. And now, with the operation of the Gulmarg Gondola Cable Car, it has become all the more convenient for skiing enthusiasts, as they can gain a ski run of nearly 3 kms with the help of this cable car which goes up to Kongdori.

There are a host of snow sports at Gulmarg at this time of the year. Tobogganing, the most popular among them requires no skill. No skill is required - a flat wooden board is taken up the hill and is allowed to descend downhill. There are also snow scooters and snow bobbing, neither requiring special skills. The best season for skiing is from November to Feb.