Gulmarg

With rolling green meadows carpeted by bushes of untamed flowers blending into snow-clad mountains, whose peaks peep into the clouds, and mountain streams rushing by, Gulmarg is sheer poetry in nature. While this is often the summer landscape of this small hamlet in Jammu and Kashmir, in winter, it’s transformed into a white wonderland, with skiers making a beeline for its famous slopes. The scenic valley of Gulmarg may be a little piece of paradise cocooned by the mighty snow-clad mountains of the Pir Panjal range. Emerald green meadows, deep ravines and pine-forested hills make this meadow of flowers (the meaning of Gulmarg) an ethereal sight that has inspired poets and artists for hundreds of years .

Located only 52 km from Srinagar, Gulmarg sits at an altitude of two ,730 m above water level , and gets completely covered in snow during winter. This makes it a hub of winter adventure sports like snowboarding, heli-skiing (skiing down a mountain after being haunted by a helicopter), off-piste skiing (skiing on unconventional ski runs) etc. Its slopes are declared because the 7th best for skiing in Asia.
Gulmarg lies within the lap of the towering Apharwat peak, which is accessible via the Gulmarg Gondola – the second highest car ride within the world. A ride on this gondola may be a unique experience because it glides above hills and valleys and seems to gets lost in mist and clouds!
Gulmarg had once been a resort area for royalty and aristocracy. it’s said that Sultan Yousuf Shah, who ruled Kashmir in 1579-1586 AD, was the primary to possess spotted this valley. And inspired by its rolling grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers, named it Gulmarg. it had been also a favorite of Mughal emperor Jehangir. Skiing arrived in Gulmarg in 1927, when British established the Ski Club of India.