The Gulmarg Bowl
Gulmarg is situated in a cup-shaped valley in the Pir Panjal Range, approximately 51 kilometers southwest of Srinagar. The town sits at 2,650 meters (8,690 feet) above sea level, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and dense coniferous forests of fir, pine, and spruce.
The entire region falls within the Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the endangered Hangul (Kashmir stag), Himalayan black bear, musk deer, and numerous bird species including the Himalayan monal pheasant.
Terrain & Topography
The landscape is characterized by rolling meadows (called "margs" in Kashmiri), steep mountain slopes, and glacial features. The primary skiing terrain extends from Kongdoori (3,100m) up to Apharwat Peak (4,200m), offering over 1,500 meters of vertical drop.
The bowl's natural geography creates ideal conditions for winter sports — cold air from the Himalayan peaks meets moisture-laden winds from the west, resulting in consistent heavy snowfall from December through March, with snow depths often exceeding 3-4 meters.