Fresh snowfall brings Gulmarg back to glory

As the high altitude areas of Kashmir Valley, including famous skiing resort of Gulmarg, received fresh snowfall on Wednesday evening, the winter tourism is expected to bloom yet again.

The snowfall started in the upper reaches and in some areas of the plains in the Valley, ending an almost 15-day-long dry spell, official sources said.

Although, Gulmarg received light rain and thin snow on Wednesday morning, but it requires huge snowfall to start the winter games.

Many domestic and foreign tourists are already here to enjoy the glory of Gulmarg, the most appealing hill station of Kashmir situated at an altitude of 2730 meters above the sea level.

“We are just waiting for the snowfall so that we can formally start the winter games. Even some foreign skiers are in touch with us as they are eager to reach here.” Mehmood Ahmad Shah, the Chief Executive Officer of Gulmarg Development Authority told TSI

“The winter tourist season has already started in Gulmarg. Most of the hotels and Government huts are occupied by the domestic and foreign visitors by now.” Mehmood said.

A group of youngsters, who have come all the way from Delhi to calibrate their New Year vacations in Gulmarg were also eagerly waiting for the snow fall.

“We are here for last one week. We feel that being here even in the freezing temperature as low as minus 7 degrees Celsius is enjoyable and memorable. We enjoyed a lot. It is undoubtedly a new experience to us.” Said Ranjan Kumar, one of the crowed.

Kashmir’s Tourism department is yet to lay out the winter sports schedule (which attracts more tourists every winter) because of the delay in snowfall this season.

“Since there are predictions by the metrological department the snowfall will be in coming days we are preparing for the grand events,” Mehmood said.

The events like skiing, snow boarding, snow cycling, snow scooter racing, ice hokey, snow rugby, ice-skating and night skiing remain the part of spots in Gulmarg every winter that attracts players and the visitors throughout world.

Apart from these sports activities the department of tourism also organises exhibitions of Kashmiri classical music and handicrafts.

The Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM), an institute which offers technical training and conducts various courses, has already started courses but the institute is also waiting for the fresh snowfall for more vibrant and enthusiastic activities.

“Presently, we are giving training to more than hundred youth on upper reaches of snow clad mountains but to accommodate visitors and trained players we also need to wait for the fresh snow.” Col. M.S. Dhillon, the Principal IISM, told TSI.

Certainly Gulmarg will be buzzing with the smiling faces of locals, tourists and sportsperson in the coming days. All is set here but wait is for natural signal to move on.