Why Gulmarg Is Your Winter Retreat?

Think of winters and you get wary of high altitude destinations! But Gulmarg is one place that particularly offers pristinely beauty and nerve wrecking adventures during this season. This hill station in Jammu Kashmir is a perfect winter retreat. Apart from being summer capital of erstwhile British officers, Gulmarg has now evolved as a dream destination for adventure freaks and nature lovers in cold weather. With mercury dropping to its lowest levels, it can give you an adrenaline rush with absolute fun.


Here, we have compiled few reasons that will induce you to make Gulmarg your favorite winter retreat.

Alluring Landscapes in Gulmarg

If you are an avid nature watcher, Gulmarg is certainly a place you shouldn’t miss out. The landscape of this place surprises your every few hours. It is located in the pine fringed valley of Pir Panjal Ranges at altitude of 2700 meters. The pictorial vistas of Gulmarg change throughout the day making every sight unforgettably stunning.


If you visit any time between November to April, you’ll catch mesmerizing views of snow clad peaks and mountains. You may also get lucky to have glimpses of Nanga Parbat when skies are clearer. Even otherwise, you will definitely enjoy having a leisurely stroll in this ‘meadow of flowers’ on a cold winter morning. Not to forget, snow fall is also quite rampant in this enchanting region.

Magnificent Gondola Rides in Gulmarg

Your winter retreat in Gulmarg will not suffice unless you try thrilling Gondola rides. The cable cars in this quaint hill station are highest in the world and truly magnificent! It is a two tiered system that takes you to Kangdori station in first phase and to the whooping height of 3747 m in second phase. If you are on tourism trip, be content with first phase only because part 2 of Gondola is more suitable for the skiers.


Even in the first part, it takes to elevation of 2600 meters to Kangdoori Mountain, a shoulder of Afarwat Peak. If luck and weather will be in your favor, you may get to view the beautiful Nanga Parbat from this height. The first phase of ride costs approx. Rs. 600 (2 ways) per ride and second phase costs around Rs. 800 (2 ways) per ride.

Enjoy Brewing Kahwa in Gulmarg

The traditional green tea of Kashmir is another alluring reason to visit Gulmarg during winters. You can enjoy the tea while watching snowfall from your hotel balcony. This tea is both delicious and healthy. With green tea leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, and saffron, it is a perfect recipe to warm up in icy cool winters of this region.

Enjoying Winter Sports in Gulmarg

For sports lovers, Gulmarg serves as the unforgettable destination with bevy of winter sports. It has annual events of cross country skiing, ice skating, ice hockey, alpine skiing, and snowboarding. All these sports attract large number of participants as well as spectators from around the world. You can be one of them too!

Adventurous Skiing in Gulmarg

During winters, Gulmarg transforms into a powder paradise for skiers. Even for advanced skiers and snow boarders, this place of full of blissful opportunities. Interestingly, Gulmarg is the only place in Asia where you can indulge in adventurous heli-skiing. If you are pro in skiing, you’ll enjoy the off-piste runs of powder in Gulmarg. For novices, trainers are easily available here to teach them the nuances of skiing.

Play with Snow in Gulmarg

Bring out the child in you. Gulmarg has lot of powder during winters.

So play with it. Build your snow man or go for some snowman building competitions held by the hotels in Gulmarg.

For complete fun, you can play with snow balls. Make lot of them and bombard at your fellows. You’ll definitely love it!

Gulmarg is one of the most veritable hill destinations of world and winter is the best time to feel the real pulse of this place. So, this winter, plan a well deserved retreat to the Meadows of Flowers awaiting you with blankets of snow!