Shopian, Oct 24: Peer Ki Gali, along the historic Mughal Road in south Kashmir, was blanketed with fresh snowfall on Saturday, transforming the high-altitude pass into a winter wonderland and drawing attention to the region’s emerging winter tourism potential.
An official said snowfall began early in the morning and continued intermittently for several hours. Nearly an inch of snow accumulated along the road, he said, adding that traffic movement remained unaffected.
The fresh snowfall brought a wintry charm to the upper reaches of Shopian district, where the Mughal Road winds through mountainous terrain connecting south Kashmir with the Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu division.
The road and its surrounding areas offer spectacular views during winter, with snow-covered slopes attracting visitors eager to experience the season’s first snowfall. However, heavy snow accumulation at Peer Ki Gali, situated at an altitude of around 11,500 feet, generally forces authorities to close the road during the winter months.
Despite the seasonal closure, areas such as Dobijan and Heerpora continue to draw visitors from different parts of the Valley, particularly when snowfall covers the surrounding mountains and meadows.
“During the winter months, many tourists visit the Mughal Road to enjoy the snow,” said Jahangir Ahmad, a resident of Shopian.
He said the influx of visitors also provides business opportunities for shopkeepers and food outlets in Heerpora, the last village on the Shopian side of the road.
Over the past few years, several hotels and restaurants have come up along the route, offering food and accommodation to travellers visiting the picturesque stretch. The growing number of such establishments has added to the area’s tourism potential, although access to the higher reaches remains dependent on weather conditions.
“During winter, the road usually remains closed because of heavy snow accumulation around Peer Ki Gali. However, tourists continue to visit Dobijan and Heerpora to enjoy the snowfall,” said Mohammad Maqbool, another resident.
He said interest in these areas had grown after popular destinations such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam received little snowfall during the winter of 2024, prompting some visitors to explore alternative locations.
Meanwhile, a cold wave has gripped Shopian district following snowfall in the upper reaches, bringing a noticeable drop in temperatures.
“We are experiencing a winter-like chill. People have started bundling themselves up in woollens,” said Irshad Ahmad Bhat, a local resident.
The snowfall in the higher reaches and the accompanying chill mark a shift towards colder conditions in the district, with residents beginning to prepare for the onset of winter.
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