Snow and slowdown: Winter tourism, adventure sports in J&K hit

The extended dry spell and lack of snow in Kashmir this winter have harmed winter tourism and the state's economy, according to tourist industry players such as hoteliers and winter-sport organisers.

The prolonged dry spell and lack of snow in Kashmir this winter have hit winter tourism, and the state’s economy itself, say tourism industry stakeholders, like hoteliers and winter-sport organisers.

Since the onset of winter on December 1, 2023, Kashmir Valley has not seen any major snow till February 1, hampering winter tourism as well as adventure sports.

Gulmarg, a world famous resort, is known for skiing, snowboarding, and other activities.

Lesser snow in Kashmir has compelled tourists to cancel bookings. Winter sports, which sees the participation of foreigners as well, was also disrupted, they said.

Mushtaq Chaya, chairman, J&K Hoteliers Club, said that compared to January-February 2023, occupancy rate in hotels in Gulmarg was down by 60 percent.

“We have not yet compiled the report of losses triggered by dry weather in Gulmarg. But we can say that, last year, if we had 100 percent occupancy rate, this year it was down by 60 percent.”

According to Kashmir’s meteorological department, for the first time, Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, and other parts witnessed the record-breaking “chillai-kalan”, the 40-day period of dry winter, from December 21 to January 29.

After that, it has been a ‘wet’ winter.

The unexpected weather pattern, experts believe, is triggered by climate change and the El Nino weather phenomenon.

According to Mukhtar Ahmad, director, meteorological (MeT) department, Kashmir, the state recorded a deficit precipitation of 80 percent in November, 70 percent in December and 100 percent till January 25, 2024.

Deficit precipitation means the lack of normal snow or rain recorded in a particular region. For example, during winter season, dry or warm weather was witnessed in Kashmir this year, compared to the average 4-5 spells of snow or rain.

According to Kashmir's independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif, more than 4-5 inches of snow in plains can be termed as major spell of snow.

“Snow recorded in December and January is crucial for all key sectors, including tourism. This year, however, the crucial phase of winter remained dry, due to which winter sports were immediately hit. Other key sectors are also expected to get impacted in the coming months,” Ahmad told Moneycontrol.

The snow in Kashmir, according to advocate Nadeem Qadri, an environmental activist, is not just crucial for agriculture, horticulture, power generation and water resources but also for the tourism sector, which contributes 7 percent to the region’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Hotels see only 50 percent occupancy

Syed Waseem Shah, owner of the Kolahoi Ski Resort, a hotel in Gulmarg, told Moneycontrol that due to the dry weather in December and January, hotels in Kashmir had only 50 percent occupancy, as compared to around 90 percent during the same period in 2023.

In 2023, more than 2 crore tourists visited J&K, for the first time after independence, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture G Kishan Reddy had said.

“Tourists mostly come to Kashmir during winter to see snow but they have been calling off their trips this time. The peak holiday season also concluded with a bleak picture this season. Skiers who visit Gulmarg slopes in winter also decided not to come this year. We are seeing cancellation of bookings almost every day and some postpone their trips,” said Shah.

In 2021, Shah built Kashmir’s first Igloo Café, out of snow. Last year, he set up India's first glass igloo restaurant in Gulmarg. However, this year, due to lack of snow, he could not make any igloos.

“Since there was no snow in Gulmarg this winter, I could not make any igloo this year. Also, due to low occupancy rate this year, we suffered losses and ultimately could not invest on any new project.”

Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) president Rauf Tramboo told Moneycontrol that the lack of snow has dried up bookings, particularly those of foreign tourists who normally flock to Gulmarg for snowboarding and skiing on some of the world's highest slopes.

“Around 70-80 percent bookings were cancelled in Gulmarg. The snowless mountain slopes forced skiers across the world to cancel bookings,” said Tramboo, who is also president of the J&K winter games association.

Farhat Naik, a 30-year-old snowboarding instructor in Gulmarg, told Moneycontrol that this winter season, he has not been able to work on a single day, due to which he has not earned a penny.

In January 2023, 95,989 tourists had visited Gulmarg alone. This year's figures not yet available.

‘Never seen Gulmarg with so less snow’

“I have never seen Gulmarg with only this much snow in winter during my entire snowboarding career of more than 10 years. This winter, Gulmarg was wearing a deserted look, displeasing not only snowboarders but also tourists. Snowboarders from Europe, US and Canada who have been coming to Gulmarg did not come this year,” he said.

Khelo India Winter Games 2024

The 4th edition of the highly anticipated Khelo India Winter Games 2024, scheduled to be held in Gulmarg from February 2, was deferred to February 21.

“The national winter games were rescheduled due to a prolonged dry spell in the valley lasting two months. With fresh spells of snow in Kashmir, the government is confident of hosting winter games in Kashmir as well as in Ladakh. Some games, like snow skating, ice hockey, and curling, will be played in Ladakh, while the main events will unfold at Gulmarg,” said an official of the J&K Youth Services and Sports.

Naik claimed that more than 60 percent of people living in Gulmarg, Tangmarg and adjacent areas are dependent on tourism.

The absence of snowfall has affected the tourism industry to such an extent that despite a widespread snowfall on February 1. Met director Mukhtar Ahmad claims that the losses cannot be compensated.

“Any spell of snow from February onwards cannot compensate for the losses on tourism, agriculture and allied sectors,” said Ahmad.

Govt sees no major impact

Raja Yaqoob Farooq, Tourism Director, Kashmir, however, denied any major impact of the extended dry weather on the tourism sector.

“No doubt, snow is vital for every key sector but I do not see any major impact of dry weather on Kashmir’s tourism industry so far. Despite the lack of snow, we have witnessed a 33 percent increase in the influx of foreign tourists this year in January, compared to the same month last year. Compared to the previous year, we have seen a 25 percent increase in the footfall of domestic tourists in January,” Farooq told Moneycontrol.

Tramboo said that though tourists continue to visit Kashmir during winter, the lack of snow left them dejected. “Tourists come to Kashmir to see snow but when there was no snow this winter, they returned disappointed. With Kashmir receiving back-to-back spells of snow in February, we are expecting a surge in the influx of tourists.”

Farooq is hopeful that with the back-to-back spells of snow in February 1 in the Valley, the rush of tourists will increase and the Khelo India Winter Games 2024 will be held in Gulmarg.