India’s top Kashmir ski resort fears for future after lowest snowfall in seven years

Kashmiri business owners ‘heartbroken’ as prolonged dry spell causes extensive losses during peak winter tourist season. Shweta Sharma and Stuti Mishra report

This ski resort in Gulmarg, Kashmir, has little to no snow on the ground this month (Handout/Farhat Naik)

Gulmarg, the world’s third-highest ski resort, usually looks like a town out of a winter postcard at this time of year, with its snow-covered houses, frosty blue pine trees and slopes bustling with snowboarders and skiers.

The beautiful pastoral town in Kashmir at an elevation of 3,950 metres is aptly named the “meadow of flowers” and thrives on tourist business, especially during the winter months due to the heavy snowfall it receives. Businesses here employ thousands of locals who rely on snow activities such as skiing, snowmobile rides, and sledging during the season.

But not this year.