The plan is moving quickly. Artificial snow. Synthetic ramp. A complete rethink on how skiing can survive in a warming Kashmir.
The impetus comes from a harsh fact. CM Omar Abdullah, who is in charge of tourism, had warned in December that erratic snowfall could turn Gulmarg’s skiing legacy into a memory. Europe already relies heavily on artificial snow. Japan reimagines infrastructure. He had said that Kashmir cannot get rid of skis.
The goal is straightforward: reduce reliance on natural snowfall and extend skiing into a four-season activity.
J&K Cable Cars Limited has invited tenders to provide a detailed project report and tender documents for an artificial snowmaking system at Kongdori. Kongdori is a bowl-shaped valley located about 4.5 km from Gulmarg Bus Station. Submission deadline: May 2.
A parallel tender is seeking plans for an all-weather artificial ski slope, an expansion of drag lift slopes and the installation of a covered “magic carpet” – a conveyor-belt-like lift that can gently transport skiers, beginners and even snow tubes uphill without the need for ski poles or harnesses. The bid closes on May 13.
Official documents outline technical in-depth studies – meteorological, hydrological, topographic and geotechnical studies – to map feasibility ahead of any rollout. Foreign companies can join, but only through a registered office in India or through a partnership led by a domestic company.
On the ground, the changes could be sweeping. Existing tow slopes — narrow, one-off, snow-dependent — will be widened and divided into lanes for skiers, snowboarders and tubby skiers, separated by certified safety netting. Even if it’s not snowing, artificial turf can be skated on. Covered conveyor belts move people efficiently, reducing queue times and making entry easier for newbies.
The numbers speak for themselves. Gulmarg used to have 100 to 120 skiing days per year, with continuous snowfall from December to March. The past fifteen years have rewritten the script—late snowfalls, mid-season melt, thinner snow bases at lower elevations, early shutdowns.
The tourism economy is feeling the pinch. Ski schools have shortened timetables. Hotels hedge their bets. Adventure operators deal with uncertainty.
Cushioning is provided by snowmaking—machines that spray tiny droplets of water into cold air to crystallize into snow, building and maintaining a skiable base. Synthetic surfaces extend usability beyond winter, ensuring slopes never sit idle.
Still, the stakes are high. Cost, environmental balance, water use and long-term climate trends will determine success. Technology can buy time, but it cannot change the weather. The slopes of Gulmarg may still hold. But one question remains in the frigid mountain air — not just how to ski, but how long winter will last.