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Gulmarg, India, is one of the highest ski areas in the world and is normally busy with winter sports enthusiasts in January. Only there is no snow this year.
Gulmarg in the western part of the Himalayas is always a very busy ski area at this time of the year. It is located at an altitude of approximately 2,650 meters and offers winter sports enthusiasts the opportunity to ascend to an altitude of 3,980 metres. This means there are 1,330 vertical meters of skiable terrain.
Although that is difficult this year. Like many other winter sports destinations, the Indian ski resort is experiencing a serious snow shortage due to unusually dry weather.
“There is no snow anywhere in the Gulmarg basin. The slopes of the meadow appear bare. The situation is the same throughout the valley. The resorts in Europe have suffered the same fate,” said Javaid ur Rehman, assistant director of tourism in Gulmarg. “Although tourism has not yet been affected, there will certainly be consequences in the coming days. There will be cancellations if the drought continues,” he added.
People are also looking forward to February with great anticipation. Then the Khelo India Winter Games, the national multidisciplinary winter games, are normally organized in the area.
January 2022 (top) and January 2024 (bottom) in Gulmarg. — © AP
January 2021 (top) and January 2024 (bottom) in Gulmarg. — © AP
January 2004 (top) and January 2024 (bottom) in Gulmarg. — © AP