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Gulmarg ski resort is located in India’s northwestern corner, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, 35 miles from the state capital of Srinagar. Gulmarg ski resort is in the southwestern Himalayas and it lies at an elevation of 8858 feet in the shadow of Apharwat Mountain. It is served by three short ski lifts and a cable car. Skiing ranges from beginner to extreme off-powder skiing. It is also possible to go heli-skiing at Gulmarg ski resort.

Gulmarg ski resort is relatively isolated and set in pristine, breathtaking countryside, dominated by the magnificent peak, Apharwat Mountain. It is a small hill station that was founded by the British in the times of the Raj; in those days winter sports were also popular, but people had to rely on horsepower to get up the mountains, whereas nowadays you can get whisked up in a modern cable car.

The cable car is divided into two sections. The first section is 7,260-feet long and rises 1,312 feet vertically from Gulmarg ski resort to slopes 10,170 feet up the side of Apharwat Mountain. The newly built second section runs to 13,057 feet, just below the peak of Apharwat. These are fairly advanced runs, but two ski lifts also provide service to intermediate skiers, while complete novices and beginners have a ski lift that takes them 656feet up the mountain.

There are a few small hotels and guesthouses at Gulmarg ski resort, but it is a quiet, undeveloped, isolated resort and nightlife is almost non-existent. Other things to do apart from skiing include visits to the Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve, the Muslim shrine of Baba Reshi and the small Christian church of St Mary, built by the British when they founded Gulmarg.

The best skiing to be had at Gulmarg ski resort is between the beginning of January and the end of March. Srinagar, 35 miles from Gulmarg, is the nearest big town; from here you can catch a bus or a taxi to the resort.

Skiing in Gulmarg

Skiing in Gulmarg is completely different to skiing at major resorts in America or Europe. It is far smaller and more basic than any of the world’s major resorts, but it is one of the only ski resorts in the Himalayas with a charm all of its own and is surrounded by wild countryside and stunning views.

Gulmarg ski resort has three ski lifts and a cable car that has an upper and a lower section. The easiest runs are the nursery slopes, serviced by a ski lift. The other two ski lifts provide access to a wider variety of runs ranging from beginner to intermediate, the longest of which is 1.8 miles. The pistes are maintained by modern Kassbohrer snow beaters. The best skiing in Gulmarg is accessed by taking the cable car. The groomed slopes from the mid-stage restaurant at 10,006feet go through some gigantic firs and pines, and range from intermediate to advanced; there are also plenty of powder routes leading down from the restaurant. The top section of the cable car route goes to 13,057 feet, a 20-minute walk from the summit of Apharwat Mountain. From here there are some superb powder runs that can run for many miles and are suitable for fit intermediate skiers and above plus snowboarders. For the truly adventurous, Gulmarg is the only place in India where you can go heli-skiing.

For those who want to do other things apart from skiing, there are plenty of options in and around Gulmarg. You can go tobogganing, snowmobile riding, ice skating and horseback riding. The nearby Gulmarg Biosphere and the Muslim shrine of Baba Reshi are worth a visit. There is no vibrant après-ski scene in Gulmarg; most of the nightlife is centred on evening meals and visitors must devise their own low-key entertainment such as conversation or games. Gulmarg is in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, a Muslim state, so alcohol is technically illegal though it is available at a few hotels in town.

The best time for skiing in Gulmarg is from the beginning of January to the end of March. It is possible to rent European skiing equipment and there is one ski shop. Srinagar is the nearest town and it is well served by buses and has an airport. From Srinagar, Gulmarg is a 35-mile taxi or bus ride away.

Transportation to Gulmarg

Gulmarg is in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, on India’s northwest border. Transportation to Gulmarg from the nearest town of Srinagar, 35 miles away, is limited to taxis and buses, with a journey time of approximately 2 hours, depending on conditions. Srinagar itself is well served by buses and has an airport.

National highway 1-A passes through Srinagar; from here Jammu is 190 miles away, Amritsar is 340 miles and Delhi 364 miles. During winter, travelling by road to Gulmarg is not recommended as the roads can get blocked due to bad weather conditions.

The nearest major train station to Gulmarg is at Jammu, from where the railway continues for another 37 miles to Udhampur, which is on the road to Srinagar. From Jammu to Srinagar, you can catch super deluxe A and B-class trains, which take about 11 hours, depending on conditions. It is also possible to catch a shared taxi to Srinagar from near the bus station in Jammu, with a journey time of about 8 hours, depending on conditions. Jammu is well served by trains from many parts of India including Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta.

The nearest airport to Gulmarg is at Srinagar. There are internal Indian Airlines flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Jammu to Srinagar and a number of smaller private airlines also service this route.There are also connections from Leh in Ladakh. Delhi has the nearest international airport, served by major airlines from all around the world. Mumbai also has a large international airport.

Transport to Gulmarg by bus is possible, but it is not recommended during the winter as the roads can be blocked by bad weather and journey times can be a lot longer than stated. From Delhi, direct luxury buses serve Gulmarg; these leave daily from Old Delhi and Connaught Place and take between 24 and 32 hours or more, depending on conditions.

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