Ski resort in India's Gulmarg buzzing with activity again, all hotels booked for February

The world-famous ski resort Gulmarg in India's Kashmir is buzzing again with tourists after the region saw good snowfall. Tourists and skiers from across India and the world have landed at the Ski resort, which is completely covered with feet of snow and looks like a winter wonderland. Because of over two months of a dry spell in the Kashmir Valley, tourism had been hit hard, with many tourists cancelling their trips to the valley.

Aftersnowfall in theKashmir Valley, especially in the higher reaches,winter tourismhas once again picked up pace.Over 30,000 visitors have visited the Gulmarg ski resort after the snowfall, and all hotels in Gulmarg are fully booked till February end.

''I feel so sad that I have come to Kashmir Valley so late in my lifetime, This is paradise, There is a saying that you get life twice, but the second life only starts when you realise that you just get life once. So, what I want to say is, this is amazing, the skiing slopes are so amazing, and people are so hospitable and respectful. I have been everywhere in the world right from Alaska, Antarctica and Swiss Alps. What I found here is that everything is super cheap, and you don't have to wait for visas etc. Everything is 20 times cheaper here. I will ask everyone to come and visit the Valley, '' said Dr Manoj Sharma, a tourist.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

The snowfall has brought a lot of cheer to the tourist stakeholders in the valley. Gulmarg now is buzzing with snow activities like skiing, snowboarding, and even heli-skiing. The gondola ride at Gulmarg has also seen an enormous rush of people after the snowfall.

''This year the snowfall was delayed for two months, and we lost business for over a month. Luckily, due to the snowfall, Gulmarg has returned to its charm. The slopes which were barren till recently are finally buzzing with people. We are ready with regard to Skiing and adventure sports. We have various slopes here and all have been kept ready for visitors. Even elderly people this year have come to ski this year. We would definitely do more improvements in the future,'' said Gulzar, a tourism operator.

The government of Jammu and Kashmir had postponed the Khelo India Winter Games due to a dry spell in Kashmir. The fourth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games will now start on February 20-25th.