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Gulmarg, a renowned tourist spot in Jammu and Kashmir, experienced its first snowfall of the season on November 10. Recognised for its beautiful views in the snowfall season and the blooming period of lupine flowers from mid-June to late July, the region is a favoured tourist destination and a hub for winter sports, specifically skiing. Simultaneously, the Machil sector of Kupwara also encountered fresh snowfall.
In 2022, Gulmarg made headlines for hosting the world's largest igloo cafe; in 2023, a private entity introduced a glass igloo restaurant.
Meaning "Meadow of Flowers," Gulmarg is 60 kilometres from Srinagar, about an hour and a half by car. Over the years, it has been a popular destination due to its backdrop of the Himalayan Mountains. A key attraction is the Gulmarg Gondola, the world's highest cable car. The first phase reaches 8530 feet at Kongdori Station, and the second stage ascends to 12293 feet. Visitors can engage in horse riding and explore places like "Strawberry Valley," "Leopards Valley," and the frozen lake of "Al-Pathar" at Kongdori. Besides its scenic beauty, Gulmarg boasts attractions like St Mary's Church, Maharaja Palace, Maharani Temple, and the Gulmarg Gondola.
In September this year, the Kashmir Valley faced an unusual occurrence as it grappled with a severe heatwave. Srinagar, its summer capital, recorded its highest daytime temperature since establishing its weather observatory in 1891. With a maximum temperature of 34.2°C, Srinagar experienced its hottest September day, surpassing the 53-year-old record of 33.8°C on September 1, 1970. Weather authorities attributed the heatwave to prolonged dry spells and reduced moisture, while some meteorological officials also mentioned factors like urbanisation and construction activities as underlying reasons. However, they emphasised that these factors have a minimal impact.
The closest airport is Sheikh Ul Alam International Airport in Srinagar, approximately 54 kilometres away. The nearest railhead is in Baramulla, about 53 kilometres from Gulmarg. For road travel, the distance from Jammu is about 410 kilometres; from Srinagar, it is around 54 kilometres; and from Baramulla, it's also 54 kilometres.
