Gulmarg in J&K voted Asia's seventh best skiing wonderland

The Gulmarg resort in Jammu and Kashmir has been rated by CNN International as Asia's seventh best ski destination.

Appi Kogen in Japan's Honshu island tops the list as the best ski resort in Asia, followed by Niseko in Hokkaido, also in Japan.

Farooq Shah, tourism director, Jammu and Kashmir said, " Gulmarg offers the best facilities at a minimal price to the skiing enthusiasts.

"There is a lot of potential in winter tourism because Gulmarg is now emerging as the most affordable and one of the best skiing destinations in the country," he added.

Shani, a tourist from South Africa, said that along with skiing in winters, the place has a lot to offer in summers as well and is expected to rise up the attractive tourist destination ladder soon.

CNN International says that in the 19th century, Gulmarg was a hill station for British colonials to escape the summer heat.

The report also said that the resort's claim to fame is the Gulmarg Gandola, the highest ski lift in the world at a dizzying height of 3,979m.

At the top station, skiers can take on challenging runs with Nanga Parbat, the world's ninth highest peak, in the backdrop. Around 4,00,000 intrepid skiers took the gondola ride last year.