Srinagar, Nov 13: Fresh snowfall in Kashmir’s higher reaches has brought a renewed rush of tourists to Gulmarg, with long queues forming outside the Gondola station on Friday as visitors made their way to the snow-covered resort to experience the winter landscape.
The snowfall, which has covered the upper reaches of Gulmarg in a fresh blanket of white, has added to the attraction of the popular tourist destination, with visitors particularly keen to take the cable car ride towards Apharwat, one of the region’s most sought-after winter attractions.
The increased tourist activity comes at a time when snowfall in Gulmarg, Sonamarg and other higher-altitude areas has raised expectations of an early revival in Kashmir’s winter tourism business. For tourism-dependent communities, the early spell of snow has brought optimism after months of waiting for favourable winter conditions.
For several visitors arriving from outside Jammu and Kashmir, the snowfall has been the highlight of their journey.
A group of tourists from Gujarat, speaking to Kashmir Convener in Gulmarg, said their experience had exceeded expectations, describing the Valley’s natural beauty, snowfall and hospitality as reasons that made the visit memorable.
One of the visitors, who was travelling with eight members from two families, said the group had specifically planned the trip to experience snowfall.
“We had already planned this trip, particularly to see snowfall. When we were on our way, we learnt that snowfall had taken place here, which made us even more excited. We wanted to experience it ourselves,” the visitor said.
The tourist said that although the group had visited Kashmir earlier, the present visit was particularly exciting because of the opportunity to experience the Gondola cable car in both phases.
“We have come here once before, but that time we enjoyed a pony ride. This time, we are particularly excited to take the Gondola ride and experience both phases,” the visitor said.
For another tourist, the experience of visiting Kashmir was different from seeing its landscapes through photographs, films and social media.
“I had been hearing about Kashmir for a long time. I had seen its beauty on mobile phones and social media, but coming here and experiencing it personally is completely different. It feels exactly as I had heard. Kashmir truly looks like heaven on earth,” the visitor said.
Another tourist recalled watching snow-covered mountains in films and said witnessing the snowfall in person had made the experience particularly special.
“We generally see such scenes in movies. We watch snow-covered mountains and imagine how beautiful they must be, but seeing them in reality is a completely different experience. Yesterday, when I saw the snowfall, I realised that what we watch in films is actually here,” the visitor said.
The visitors also said Kashmir’s beauty could not be adequately conveyed through photographs or descriptions, urging people from different parts of the country to visit the Valley.
“If you travel to different countries but have not visited Kashmir, you have missed something special. Everyone should come here at least once. The beauty of this place is exceptional,” another visitor said.
While the snow-covered mountains and Gondola ride remained the primary attractions, the tourists said the hospitality extended by local residents, guides and people associated with the tourism industry had also contributed to their experience.
One of the visitors said local guides were helpful in explaining weather conditions, suggesting places to visit and advising tourists about precautions required during the winter months.
“The local people and guides take good care of tourists. They explain where we should go, which places we should avoid and what precautions we need to take because of the cold. They guide visitors properly and make sure that they do not face difficulties,” the tourist said.
The visitors also appreciated the welcome extended by hotels, with one of them recalling being received with a traditional shawl and cake.
“When we normally visit a place, we simply go to the reception counter and complete the check-in formalities. But here, the experience was different. We were welcomed warmly, with a shawl and cake. I also noticed that other visitors were being received in a similar manner,” the tourist said.
Such experiences, the visitors said, had helped create a welcoming atmosphere and made their stay more comfortable.
The tourists also expressed satisfaction with the arrangements at Gulmarg, appreciating the efforts of the district administration and the Gulmarg Development Authority in improving facilities for visitors.
One of the tourists said the overall arrangements were better than expected, particularly in terms of infrastructure and visitor facilities.
“If we talk about the Baramulla administration or the Gulmarg Development Authority, they have made good arrangements here. Facilities have improved considerably. Earlier, things may not have been like this, but now visitors are getting better facilities,” the tourist said.
Referring to the Gondola infrastructure, the visitor said maintaining and operating a cable car system in the mountainous terrain was a significant achievement.
“Look at the Gondola facility in such a mountainous area. Maintaining a cable car system at this height is not an ordinary thing. Whether it is infrastructure, roads, food or other facilities, everything contributes to making this a lifetime experience,” the tourist said.
Located in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district in the Pir Panjal range, Gulmarg is among Jammu and Kashmir’s most prominent winter tourism destinations. Its snow-covered slopes, mountain scenery, skiing opportunities and the Gondola cable car attract thousands of visitors during the winter months.
The Gulmarg Gondola, which operates in two phases, connects the resort with Kongdoori before taking visitors further towards the Apharwat mountain range. The upper reaches are particularly popular during winter, offering opportunities for skiing, snowboarding and other snow-related recreational activities.
Winter tourism is also a major source of livelihood for the local population. Hotels, restaurants, taxi operators, pony handlers, ski instructors, guides, shopkeepers and other tourism-related service providers depend heavily on the arrival of visitors during the snowfall season.
The timing and intensity of snowfall often influence the duration and scale of winter tourism activity, making early snow an important factor for businesses preparing for the season.
However, tourism stakeholders will also be looking towards sustained snowfall, improved road connectivity, timely snow clearance, traffic management and adequate safety arrangements to maintain the momentum.
The fresh spell of snowfall across Gulmarg and other higher reaches has also renewed interest in Kashmir’s winter destinations, with hopes that the season could gain momentum earlier than usual.
On Friday, the long queues outside the Gondola station offered a glimpse of the enthusiasm among visitors, many of whom had travelled from different parts of the country specifically to experience Kashmir’s winter landscape.
For the tourists from Gujarat, however, the visit was about more than snowfall or a cable car ride.
“We had heard so much about Kashmir, but now that we have come here, we understand why people call it heaven on earth. The scenery, snowfall, behaviour of local people and hospitality — everything has made this trip special. I would tell everyone to visit Kashmir at least once,” one of the visitors said.
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