The famous ski resort of Gulmarg, in Kashmir, India, is usually lively at this time of year, when people flock here to enjoy the snow-covered entire Himalayas, due to the heavy snow that usually occurs in the month of March. 1 every year.
However, like many other famous ski destinations around the world this year, the town of Kashmir is facing a lack of snow due to unusually dry weather, causing tourists and tourism businesses here to panic. feeling disappointment.
The ski area is empty of snow because of El Nino
Gulmarg is a ski resort located in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas, just 50 km from the city of Srinagar and about 20 km from the actual border between India and Pakistan (LoC). The area is famous for its skiing heights of up to 1,330 meters and its special feature is the Gulmarg Gondola, which climbs to a height of 3,980 meters. Despite the lack of snow, an employee from this resort shared that the hotels are still full of guests coming for the winter.
The famous ski resort Gulmarg, in Kashmir, India is absent of white snow. Photo: CNN.
Despite the ongoing lack of snow, many resort owners still encourage visitors to explore other experiences such as gondola rides with great views of snowy peaks.
However, with the slopes empty of snow, ski instructors like Asif Ahmad Bhat, 23, are facing unemployment. He shares that Gulmarg generally welcomes two types of tourists: family and friends traveling, and those who want to participate in adventurous activities such as skiing and snowboarding. However, due to lack of snow, many bookings had to be cancelled.
“We don’t want them to come and be disappointed,” Bhat said, warning of rising global temperatures that have melted all the snow.
Sahil Ahmed Lone, 25, a local who works as a snowboarding instructor, said he had received many bookings before the winter, but had to turn them down due to lack of snow. He shared that he had to take customers 10-12 kilometers away to enjoy a better skiing experience, but customers were still not satisfied.
Annual snowfall at Gulmarg. Photo: CNN.
In summer, Gulmarg attracts hikers and nature lovers. In 2023, this place will welcome more than 1.65 million tourists.
Raja Yaqoob, director of tourism for Indian-administered Kashmir, feels the ski season can still be saved. Although it has been delayed by 10-15 days due to dry weather, he said, “a lot of snow is expected in the coming days. So, the lack of snow is not a concern”. Yaqoob noted that the snowfall season in Gulmarg is traditionally from November to March every year.
“This time it snowed once or twice in December, but the amount of snow expected in January has not happened yet,” he said, adding that El Nino was the cause of the delay.
“This is not only happening in Kashmir but also in Leh, Ladakh, Uttarakhand and other places in the Himalayas. Accommodations are currently 95-100% full so the demand is still there and tourists are not there yet signs of decreasing. When snow is about to fall, the situation will improve.”
