Gulmarg

Yes. While Phase 1 just takes you to a meadow (Kongdoori), Phase 2 takes you to Apharwat Peak at 13,700 ft. The views of the LOC and the Himalayas from there are unmatched. Book 2 months in advance.

Only up to Tangmarg (12 km before Gulmarg). After that, the police will stop you. You must hire a local 4x4 Sumo/Tavera with anti-skid chains on the tires to complete the journey.

Absolutely not. The touts will lie and say it's a 3km uphill trek. It's actually a 15-20 minute scenic walk from the parking area. Only hire them if you have mobility issues or are traveling with elderly people.

Extremely safe from a law-and-order perspective. The military presence is heavy, and locals are very protective of tourists. The biggest 'danger' is getting aggressively overcharged for activities.

Yes! The baby slopes near the golf course are perfect for beginners. You can easily hire gear and an instructor for a half-day session without needing to go up the Gondola.

No. Prepaid SIM cards issued outside of Jammu & Kashmir do not work anywhere in the state. You need a postpaid connection (Jio and Airtel work best in Gulmarg).

In winter, 100% yes. You will ruin your sneakers in 5 minutes. You can rent long rubber snow boots and jackets at Tangmarg or Gulmarg. Check the boots for cracks/leaks before paying.

If you're just sightseeing and doing the Gondola, 1 night and 2 days is enough. If you want to learn basic skiing or trek to Alpather Lake, plan for 3 to 4 days.