Snowfall turns Sonamarg lively, tourists celebrate winter magic

Sonamarg, Nov 5: The first spell of snowfall this season has brought smiles to hundreds of tourists visiting the scenic Sonamarg resort in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. After weeks of dry weather, Sonamarg witnessed fresh snowfall since Tuesday evening, transforming the meadow into a picturesque white landscape.

According to locals, around five inches of snow covered the meadows and surrounding peaks, creating a stunning winter scene that delighted visitors. Tourists, including children, were seen playing in the snow, taking photographs, and enjoying the sudden change in weather despite the dip in temperature.

“We are really enjoying the snowfall. We feel lucky to have witnessed it during our stay,” said a tourist from Mumbai. Another visitor from Bengaluru shared the same excitement: “We were here for a couple of days and had not seen any snow yet. This snowfall made our trip memorable.”

The snowfall has also lifted the spirits of local hoteliers and others associated with the tourism sector. “Tourists always love snow, and we expect the number of visitors to rise in the coming days, which will give a boost to business,” said Mudasir Ahmad, a local hotelier. Another hotelier, Ahmed, added, “Everyone associated with tourism is upbeat after the snowfall. We are hopeful of good tourist footfall in the days ahead.”

Officials said that tourist activity in Sonamarg had been moderate in recent weeks, but the snowfall is likely to attract more visitors. Meanwhile, the government is planning a series of winter tourism activities, including sports events and cultural programmes, to promote Sonamarg as a prime winter destination.