Situated at an altitude of 2730 m above sea level, Gulmarg is a popular skiing destination located in Pir Panjal Range of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Surrounded by snow-covered lofty Himalayas, meadows of flowers, deep ravines, evergreen forested valleys, Gulmarg also has the world's second-highest Gondola ride.
The nearest airport to Gulmarg is in Srinagar which is 56 kilometres away. Gulmarg is well-connected with regular bus services from Srinagar, Sonmarg and other neighbouring towns in Kashmir. By Train - Jammu is the nearest railway station, at a distance of 290 kilometres.
The best time to visit Gulmarg is in Summer from March - June. The hill station is often visited for the adventurous opportunities that await visitors and the scenic views of the surroundings from the town. If you are a nature enthusiast who loves the heat, the months April, May and June are the best months for a visit. Gulmarg is also known as the 'meadow of flowers' due to the fields of blooming flowers that cover the lands of the city in Summer. However, If skiing is what you are looking forward to, December to mid March are recommended.
With rolling green meadows carpeted by bushes of wild 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 the summer landscape of this tiny hamlet in Jammu and Kashmir, in winter, it is transformed into a white wonderland, with skiers making a beeline for its famous slopes. The scenic valley of Gulmarg is 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 centuries.
Located only 52 km from Srinagar, Gulmarg sits at an altitude of 2,730 m above sea 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 taken up by a helicopter), off-piste skiing (skiing on unconventional ski runs) etc. Its slopes have been declared as the 7th best for skiing in Asia. Gulmarg lies in the lap of the towering Apharwat peak, which is accessible via the Gulmarg Gondola – the second highest cable car ride in the world. A ride on this gondola is a unique experience as it glides above hills and valleys and seems to gets lost in mist and clouds! Gulmarg had once been a vacation spot for royalty and aristocracy. It is said that Sultan Yousuf Shah, who ruled Kashmir in 1579-1586 AD, was the first to have spotted this valley. And inspired by its rolling grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers, named it Gulmarg. It was also a favourite of Mughal emperor Jahangir. Skiing arrived in Gulmarg in 1927, when the British established the Ski Club of India.