Gulmarg

Gulmarg has become synonymous with the budding ski industry of the Himalaya. It is the largest resort in India by a country mile, thanks mainly to its dedicated cable car that takes powder hounds into the untrodden heights of the mighty Pir Panjal Range. The resort itself tops out at a whopping 4,000 meters, opening into a large bowl where freeriding is the name of the game. For lovers of off-piste, it is one-of-a-kind stuff, with all sorts of carved chutes, pillow rides, jumps, natural lines and drop-offs to contend with, enfolded by pockets of highland pine trees and the craggy summits of Mount Apharwat. It is suited only for the most expert of skiers and boarders. There are dedicated Gulmarg tour guides at hand to offer everything from heliskiing to guided cross-country tours of the vast terrain.

When the snows melt, Gulmarg gets quieter but never deserted. It is home to the highest-altitude golf course on planet Earth, which has a history going all the way back to the days of the British Raj. It is also an undiscovered hiking mecca, perched on some of the remotest peaks of Jammu and Kashmir – so, just be sure to pack the walking boots.