Motoring through the piles of snow on the 14 kms-long stretch from Tangmarg on the Srinagar-Gulmarg road was a fascinating experience for this 19 year old. I could recall the summer trips while sitting on the back seat of the drivers with a cap in my hands that during summers the surroundings of the road looked green and now it is white. The summer trips were easier than this one because of the heavy snow and the slippery road. The bowing trees on the way with a thick layer of snow on the conifers added a flavour to the atmosphere. The noise of the tyres tied with the metal chains added a spice to it.

Gulmarg is located 52 kms from Srinagar. Its location is 34.050 N and 74.380 E. It has an average elevation of 2,690 m (8,825 ft).Gulmarg is a small place, a hill station and a notified area committee in Baramulla district of north Kashmir. Gulmarg is known as the “heartland of winter sports in India”. It receives heavy snowfall during winters and is a popular ski resort. The slopes of Afarwat hills of the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayan Chain constitute one of the longest and highest ski slopes in Asia. This resort is famous for “Gulmarg Gondola”, the highest cable car in the world, reaching 3,979 metres. This has over the years become one of the State’s most visited destinations.

It hardly takes two hours to reach Gulmarg from Srinagar, but it took us more than that due to the sleety road on the last stretch. The car made the entry through a short cut which is usually closed during the summer months. The road passes through the large pile of snow walls, which was about 6 to 7 feet high. The road was full of sleet but the driver managed to drive through. The entry to the Gulmarg was a bit different from that of the summers, barely anyone could see, as it was covered with a thick blanket of fog. I could see the skiers skiing the road which was covered with a thick white blanket making it a white carpet.

It was snowing lightly, but the snow was accumulating fast and the reflection of the snow was irritating. It was fascinated to see the totally different texture of the snow; it was a lot softer and a lot drier. I couldn’t control my appetite and straight away went to a restaurant to have a cup of tea. It was more delightful to see the snow fall from the window after every sip of the tea. I could see the charismatic beauty of the snow in Gulmarg after 12 or 13 years when I was just eight or nine years old.

On the way back sheer tiredness overwhelmed me. It was a refreshing day, a fun-filled day, though short and amazing one. The question remains “Can I ever forget this marvelous day”