Gulmarg’s Tech-Driven Adventure Tourism Revival: Artificial Snow, Night Skiing & ₹5,500 Cr Push in J&K
By: Javid Amin | 14 December 2025
Once counted among Asia’s finest ski destinations, Gulmarg is now being reimagined through technology-driven policies aimed at climate resilience, global positioning, and year-round adventure tourism. With artificial snow systems, night skiing plans, international conventions, and a ₹5,500 crore infrastructure push, Jammu & Kashmir’s government is betting on innovation to restore Gulmarg’s legacy and redefine the region’s tourism future.
Jammu & Kashmir’s adventure tourism sector is entering a decisive new phase, driven by a technology-first revival strategy under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, with Gulmarg once again positioned as the flagship destination. Facing the twin challenges of climate variability and global competition, the government has begun outlining a roadmap that blends infrastructure investment, technological innovation, and international outreach to restore Kashmir’s reputation as a premier adventure tourism hub.
At the heart of this push is a recognition that traditional tourism models—particularly winter-dependent destinations like Gulmarg—can no longer rely solely on natural conditions. Instead, the administration is signalling a shift toward climate-resilient, all-season adventure tourism, supported by modern technology and large-scale funding.
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A Strategic Shift: From Seasonal Tourism to Year-Round Adventure
Gulmarg has long been synonymous with skiing in India, once attracting international skiers, professionals, and winter sports enthusiasts. However, erratic snowfall patterns over recent years have disrupted ski seasons, directly impacting livelihoods, tourism revenue, and the destination’s global standing.
The government’s renewed strategy seeks to address this vulnerability head-on.
Among the most significant proposals is the introduction of artificial snow-making machines, aimed at sustaining skiing operations even during low-snow winters. Such systems, already standard in major global ski resorts, would allow Gulmarg to maintain reliable ski slopes, ensuring predictability for tourists, event planners, and tour operators.
Officials see this as a foundational move toward insulating the local economy from climate uncertainty while protecting Gulmarg’s core identity as a winter sports destination.
Night Slopes: Extending the Tourism Clock
Another notable proposal is the introduction of illuminated night skiing slopes—a first for Jammu & Kashmir. Night slopes are expected to significantly extend daily activity hours, allowing tourists to ski beyond daylight, particularly during peak winter months.
From an economic perspective, this has multiple implications:
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Increased tourist engagement per day
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Higher spending on accommodation, food, and services
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More employment opportunities for instructors, guides, and support staff
For Gulmarg, where tourism activity has traditionally tapered off early in the evening, night skiing could fundamentally alter visitor patterns and enhance the destination’s competitiveness with international ski resorts.
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Global Outreach: Adventure Tourism Convention as a Signal
The government’s intent to position Jammu & Kashmir on the global adventure tourism map was underscored by the announcement of the 17th Adventure Tourism Convention, hosted in Gulmarg as a curtain-raiser event.
The convention is being framed not merely as a tourism event, but as a strategic platform to:
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Showcase J&K’s adventure potential to international operators
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Engage global investors and destination planners
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Signal policy stability and long-term commitment to tourism
By hosting such a convention in Gulmarg itself, the administration aims to reinforce confidence in the region as both a safe and viable investment destination for adventure tourism infrastructure.
₹5,500 Crore Push: Infrastructure as the Backbone
Perhaps the most consequential aspect of the revival plan is the scale of financial commitment. The tourism sector in Jammu & Kashmir is set to receive approximately ₹5,500 crore under externally funded projects, with a substantial portion earmarked for infrastructure and adventure tourism development.
These investments are expected to focus on:
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Modernising tourism facilities
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Improving connectivity and access
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Strengthening safety and rescue infrastructure
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Upgrading accommodation and support services
For adventure tourism, where safety standards and international-grade facilities are critical, such funding could be transformative. Officials argue that infrastructure upgrades will not only improve visitor experience but also enable Kashmir to host international events and professional adventure sports activities.
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Restoring Gulmarg’s Legacy
Beyond economics and technology, the government has repeatedly framed its plans as a restoration of Gulmarg’s lost glory. Once considered among Asia’s most scenic and challenging ski destinations, Gulmarg had gradually slipped from global prominence due to inconsistent seasons, limited upgrades, and external disruptions.
The current approach seeks to reverse that trajectory by aligning Gulmarg with global best practices in mountain tourism—where technology, sustainability, and experience design work together.
Officials believe that reviving Gulmarg as a world-class skiing destination will have a cascading effect across the Valley, encouraging the growth of allied activities such as:
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Snowboarding
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Winter trekking
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Mountain biking
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Paragliding and alpine experiences
Why This Matters Beyond Tourism
The implications of this strategy extend far beyond leisure travel.
Climate Resilience
By adopting artificial snow systems and diversified adventure offerings, the government is effectively acknowledging climate change as a planning reality and responding with adaptive infrastructure.
Economic Diversification
Adventure tourism offers year-round income opportunities, reducing dependence on a short peak season and creating sustainable employment for local youth.
Global Repositioning
Through conventions, infrastructure investment, and technology adoption, Jammu & Kashmir is attempting to reshape its global image—from a conflict-defined region to a forward-looking adventure tourism destination.
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A High-Stakes Transformation
While the vision is ambitious, its success will depend on timely execution, environmental safeguards, and sustained policy support. Artificial snowmaking and night skiing, in particular, will require careful regulation to balance tourism growth with ecological sensitivity.
Nonetheless, the direction is clear: Jammu & Kashmir is no longer content with incremental tourism growth. With Gulmarg as the testing ground, the government is betting on a technology-led renaissance that could redefine the region’s adventure tourism landscape for the next decade.
If implemented effectively, this strategy could not only restore Gulmarg’s standing but also establish Jammu & Kashmir as India’s undisputed adventure capital—resilient, modern, and globally competitive.
