Snowmen, Selfies, and Silent Snow: Tourists Find a Winter Wonderland in Kashmir
Suhail Khan
Srinagar, January 23: Kashmir Valley awoke to a picturesque covering of fresh snow on Friday, ending an extended dry spell and bringing cheer to tourists and the Kahsmir’s tourism sector.
Popular destinations including Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg were transformed into winter wonderlands, with visitors braving the chill to enjoy the sudden scenic change. Officials said the snowfall has given an immediate fillip to tourist activity in these areas.
A senior tourism department officer told Kashmir Convener, “The snow cover on trees, roads and meadows has created perfect visuals.
He said despite the cold, tourists are already outside capturing moments, making snowmen and enjoying the atmosphere.” He added that the development is likely to provide a strong impetus to winter tourism in the coming weeks.
“We are enjoying live snowfall—it’s truly beautiful. This is my first time seeing snow and I feel lucky,” said Sameena, a tourist from Mumbai. “Why dream of Switzerland when we have our own beautiful Kashmir?”
Rajesh from Delhi, standing on Gulmarg’s freshly powdered slopes told Kashmir Convener “We had been waiting for this since we arrived. The landscape changed overnight—it’s like a dream come true for my children.”
Another tourist in Gulmarg said that the snow had “added an extra layer of charm” to the destination. “We had heard so much about Kashmir in winter, but seeing it ourselves is amazing.”
Travel blogger Anjali from Bengaluru told Kashmir Convener, “Beyond the scenery, there’s a peace that descends with the snow—the silence, the gentle fall of flakes. It feels therapeutic.”
For Arjun and Priya, a couple from Chennai on their honeymoon, the snowfall was an unexpected blessing. “We came hoping for snow, and today our wish was granted. Every view looks like a postcard,” Priya said.
In Sonamarg, Harish Mehta, a senior tourist from Ahmedabad, smiled nostalgically. “I saw Kashmir in winter 40 years ago. Today brought back those memories—the magic remains.”
The snowfall has also been welcomed by local businesses. Hoteliers and shopkeepers said it would boost winter commerce, adding that arrangements were in place to ensure tourists’ comfort and safety. Authorities, however, advised visitors to follow travel advisories and exercise caution on slippery roads amid fluctuating weather conditions.
The long-awaited snow has provided both visual delight and economic optimism for Kashmir’s tourism-reliant economy after weeks of unseasonably dry weather.
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