Gulmarg
Best time: December to February for snow, April to June for meadows
Altitude: 2,650 m
Gulmarg means "meadow of flowers", and that's exactly what it is outside winter — rolling green slopes ringed by pine forest, with Mount Apharwat in the background. In winter, the same slopes turn into one of India's few proper ski destinations, and the Gulmarg Gondola (one of the highest cable cars in the world) carries visitors up to around 3,980 m for snow views even if you're not skiing.
The gondola runs in two stages — Phase 1 to Kongdoori and Phase 2 up to Apharwat — and Phase 2 is often paused for weather, so it's worth checking before building a full day around it.
Travel tips
- Book gondola tickets a day ahead in peak season (Dec–Feb and May–June); counters sell out and queues build up fast after 9am.
- Snow boots and gloves can be rented at Gulmarg itself — you don't need to carry your own unless you prefer it.
- The road from Srinagar to Gulmarg can close briefly after heavy snowfall; build in a buffer day in winter itineraries.
- Altitude at the top of Phase 2 is high enough that some visitors feel breathless — pace yourself and stay hydrated.