Gulmarg

Gulmarg had been on my list for a while and when I finally made it there, it was every bit as magical as I’d hoped. The drive itself felt like a scene out of a postcard — winding roads, pine trees, and that first sight of snow that just makes you feel like a kid again. The signboard saying “Welcome to Gulmarg” was the moment it really hit me. I was finally here.

Walking around in that deep snow, surrounded by nothing but white, was something else. I climbed up on this big rock just for fun, boots sunk halfway in snow, and looked around. Everything was calm, quiet, and unreal. Just me, the snow, and the mountains. It’s the kind of silence that stays with you even after the trip is over.

Saw some locals chilling by a fire on the roadside, bundled up in layers, just doing their thing like this cold was no big deal. Their vibe added something real to the place. Grounded, simple, and warm, even in that freezing weather.

Gulmarg isn’t just a winter destination. It’s a whole mood. You go expecting snow and views, but what you get is a kind of peace that sneaks up on you. Definitely one for the books.