Gulmarg, Kashmir

Gulmarg translates as "the meadow of flowers" and is located 52 km from Srinagar, the capital of the Indian state of Kashmir. It is fast gaining a strong reputation as an excellent powder skiing destination with a season that runs from mid-December to mid-May.

Gulmarg boasts the world's highest functioning ski lift - the Gulmarg Gondola. The two-stage lift has a capacity of 600 people per hour (though there's rarely anything like that number of skiers on the mountain!) to Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Afarwat Peak (4200m/13779ft).

Gulmarg can be accessed from Srinagar (the capital of Kashmir) in about 1 hour by car or bus.