Skiing in Gulmarg: Opportunities and Challenges

Tourism provides various attractions for tourists in the form of natural spots, built places, sports and games. Skiing is one of the attractions that is basically done in snow slopes of various tourism destinations around the world. Gulmarg in Kashmir is an all season destination providing various attractions and scenic views throughout the year. In summers, it turns into a meadow of flowers and in winters into a white gold destination. Skiing in Gulmarg is one of the most important winter sports. Its natural slopes, powdery snow, easy accessibility, highest and natural ski slopes, etc, provide the conditions of an ideal ski destination for all types of skiers. It is in this connection the study has been done to analyze the flow of visitors and skiers to Gulmarg and to evaluate the related requisite infrastructure there. The various opportunities that are available to Gulmarg to emerge as an international ski destination and the various challenges that are in this regard are studied through this research work. The study is primarily based on primary data although secondary data have also been used to complete the study. The outcome of the study is that Gulmarg can emerge as a leading Ski destination of the world provided it keeps pace with the technology and keeps control on pollution.