Gulmarg is a gorgeous ski town in Jammu and Kashmir for folks who love snow. It is located about 53 km from Srinagar. The longest ski run can be reached by Gondola Cable Car Lift which extends up to 2,213 meters. This means you almost reach Mount Apharwat peak at 3,980 meters above sea level, which is considered to be one of the best ski spots in India.
Connecting Gulmarg to the top of Apharwat, the Gulmarg Gondola covers a total aerial distance of 5 km and is the second-highest cable car in the world. Your family vacations will not only be filled with exhilarating ski time, but also the gasps of your kids when they see the snowy vistas from this cable car, making the Gondola ride in Gulmarg an absolute must-do activity!
PC: India.com
The Gondola cable car operates in two phases: Gulmarg to Kongdori and then Kongdori to Apharwat. Kongdori is a bowl-shaped region between Gulmarg and Apharwat. It offers skiing and boarding activities at a slightly lower altitude, making it a wonderful place to visit with kids. From here, you can also enjoy the views of sprawling meadows at the foot of Apharwat Mountains in the PirPanjal range. CNN quoted this area as “the heartland of winter sports in India” because in the winters, it’s covered by a thick blanket of snow and offers extreme sporting enthusiasts with a lot of outdoorsy adventure.
Apharwat Peak
PC: travelhome.co.in
Kashmir in general is enthralling for children who have never seen snow—it will be a delight for them to run around, indulge in snow fights, and make many snowmen! Kongdori offers city kids a holiday that is unlike any other and the beauty is that you don’t have to worry about taking them to expensive European destinations to do so. Club Mahindra reviews by happy members always mention that this place is like heaven on Earth and feels like an international, world-class destination!
The ride from Gulmarg to Kongdori takes 10 minutes and from Kongdori upwards to Apharwat is a journey of about 12 minutes. Sometimes, during the course of the ride, the Gondola goes through clouds: something which will make your children jump with excitement! There’s also the celestial frozen Al-Pathar Lake, which is a sight to behold in the winter months.
Gulmarg is a paradise for skiing enthusiasts. Check into Club Mahindra Gulmarg resort and then head out in the morning to only come back at dusk for rejuvenation, after an action-packed day on the slopes. If anyone in the family loves to ski, there’s no other place they’d rather be! Plan a vacation with Club Mahindra & have a pleasant and memorable stay at R K Sarovar Portico resort in Srinagar, with family.
Join India’s favorite resort chain – Club Mahindra & choose from over 60+ resorts for your next family vacation using the Club Mahindra website or app, today!
Do check out my post on Kashmir itinerary for 7 days.