Gulmarg's legendary beauty, prime location and proximity to Srinagar naturally make it one of the premier hill resorts in the country. Originally called ‘Gaurimarg’ by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers. Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. Today Gulmarg is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m, and is the country's premier ski resort in the winter.
It was a favourite summer holiday destination for the British stationed in India.
The surrounding areas were politically restive during the 1990s uprising in Kashmir, but since a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in 2003, the town has enjoyed a period of relative peace and quiet. The town is nestled within the imposing Himalayan peaks, and lies within miles of the Line of Control. It receives heavy snowfall during the winter season and is a popular ski resort.
With the abatement of militancy in the area, Gulmarg has quickly become one of the state's most visited destinations. The slopes of the Afarwat Hills of the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalaya Chain boast one of the longest and highest ski slopes in Asia. The total distance covered by ski lifts is five kilometres and the resort peaks at an altitude of 3,747 m (12,293 ft), accessed by an aerial gondola (telecabine).
.The skiing project was inaugurated by the Chief Minister on 25 December, 2004. The entire hill is guarded by the army at all times. The army, which is seen everywhere in the cities of Kashmir, is not in the town or the actual hilltop. Frisking is only done midway on the access road at 3 places: Tangmarg, near an army camp on the road from Tangmarg, and 5 km before entering Gulmarg. Gulmarg does not have any permanent residents. All living in Gulmarg are hotel employees and guests. Everyone else is required to leave the village by sunset, due to a curfew imposed by the army in 1990.Gulmarg boasts Asia's highest and longest cable car project, the Gulmarg Gondola. The two-stage ropeway ferries about 600 people per hour to and from Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Afarwat Peak (4,200 m (13,780 ft)). The ropeway project is a joint venture of the Jammu and Kashmir government and French firm Pomagalski.
The journey to Gulmarg is half the enchantment of reaching there-- roads bordered by rigid avenues of poplar give over to flat expanses of rice fields interspersed with picturesque villages. 
Depending on the season, nature's colours could be the translucent green of spring, summer’s rich emerald, or autumn’s golden hues, when scarlet chillies festoon windows of village homes. After Tangmarg, the climb to Gulmarg begins through fir-covered hillsides. At one point, known simply as View Point, travellers generally stop their vehicles for a few minutes and look out a spectacle of snow-covered mountains, almost within touching distance.
Gulmarg is one of the most frequented hill resorts in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The word gul means flowers, and thus the name Gulmarg stands for a meadow of flowers. Flowers that bloom in this meadow include bluebells, daisies, forget-me-nots and buttercups.
Tours to the meadow of Gulmarg will transport you into a beautiful world of flowers. Those who aim to embark on a tour to the Gulmarg region must make it a point to travel to the picturesque Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve and the Alpather Lake. In fact the prime tourist attractions for those who travel to Gulmarg include skiing and Heliskiing, green golf courses and the gondola lift.Gulmarg has a beautiful golf course that is situated at a height of 2,650 meters above the sea level. Tourists who travel to Gulmarg visit this beautiful and panoramic golf course, if not to actually play the game, but to admire the lush green land slopes that incline gradually and form a sight to behold. Tours to Gulmarg usually offer you a temporary membership at the golf course.As far as adventure sports is concerned Gulmarg is a trekking base for those who trek to the Pir Panjal Range, Nanga Parbat and Khilanmarg
Khilanmarg is an important skiing center.
.The skiing season commences in December and goes on till the month of April. The Gulmarg biosphere reserve is located at a distance of 48 kilometers from Srinagar and offers one of the most attractive wildlife tour and travel packages. The Alpather Lake lies frozen till the month of June and it lies at the base of the Apharwat Mountain. This lake is located at a distance of 13 kilometers from Gulmarg. The Alpather Lake and the melting snow and ice from the Apharwat Mountain form the Ningli Nallah. This stream also forms an attractive tour site.
Gulmarg
Skiing Gulmarg, you'll enjoy 33 pistes and trails and that means approximately 70km of ski runs. Gulmarg lifts number 6 with the capacity to uplift 5000 skiers up the mountain per hour. The longest ski run in the Indian ski resort of Gulmarg is over 2km long. Ski Gulmarg summer or winter as there is also glacier skiing in Gulmarg.
Golfing at the top of the world
It sounds like an interesting place to go golfing in the warmer months and skiing during the colder months. I love the pictures with the Himalayan peaks in the background. This would definitely be an exotic golfing trip and one that I would tell my friends about for years. Next time I travel to India, I'll have to pack my golf shoes.
Govt Facilities are not up to the mark and you will really find that missing in Gulmarg ...I have gone in winter...Go with heavy jackets.....rent long boots from Tangmarg...dont take jackets on rent those are really pathethic....take hand gloves and ...do take a football with you to really enjoy the sport.