Gulmarg has been the favorite resort for the Sultans like Yousuf Shah Chak and Jahangir who visited Gulmarg regularly. The original name of Gulmarg was "Gaurimarg", the other name of Lord Shiva's wife Parvati. Yousuf Shah Chak renamed it as Gulmarg, meaning the place of roses. During the earlier 20th century the famous Central Asian explorer Sir Marc Aurel Stein (1862 – 1943), made his home here in a tent between his expeditions. It was the most preferred summer holiday spot for the British people in India.

Gulmarg’s nearby areas were politically agitated during the 1990s rebellion in Kashmir, but since a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in 2003, now the Gulmarg is enjoying an era of relative peace and quiet. Gulmarg is embraced within the striking Himalayan peaks, and distanced within miles of the Line of Control. Gulmarg receives heavy snowfall during the winter season and is a popular ski resort.

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With the end of militancy in the region, Gulmarg has rapidly become one of the most visited destinations in the state. The slopes of the Apharwat Hills of the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalaya Chain possess one of the longest and highest skiing slopes in Asia. The total distance covered by ski lifts is about five kilometers and the resort peaks at an altitude of 3,747 m (12,293 ft), approached by an aerial gondola Cable Car. The skiing project was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on 25 December, 2004. The whole hill is defended by the army continuously all the time.

With the operation of the Gulmarg Gondola Cable Car, now it has become more convenient for skiing fans, as they can achieve a ski run of nearly 3 kms with the aid of this cable car which goes up to Kongdori. Tourist can enjoy various snow sports at Gulmarg. Tobogganing, the most popular among them requires no skill. A flat wooden board is taken up the hill and is released freely to descend downhill. There are also snow scooters and snow bobbing, neither requiring special expertises.

Gulmarg can be reached from Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir in about one hour by car or bus, but depending upon the security condition the army check-points may increase the travel time up to three hours or more. The buses reaches Tangmarg in about 45 minutes. From Tangmarg, for the 20 km hill road, jeeps can be hired for reaching Gulmarg hilltop in about 20 minutes. Security and identity checks are done about 5km before Gulmarg. A very strict traveling time limit is to be maintained between Tangmarg and Gulmarg. At sunset the last jeep starts down from Gulmarg.

Gulmarg swanks Asia's highest and longest cable car project, the Gulmarg Gondola. The two-stage ropeway transports about 600 people per hour to and from Kongdori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Apharwat Peak (4,200 m (13,780 ft)). The cable car project is a joint endeavor of the Jammu and Kashmir government and French firm Pomagalski. The first stage of Gulmarg Gondola transfers pax from the Gulmarg resort at 2,600 m (8,530 ft) to Kongdori Station in the curved Kongdori valley. The second stage of the Gulmarg Gondola ropeway, which has 36 cabins and 18 towers, takes skiers to a height of 3,747 m (12,293 ft) on Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Apharwat Peak (4,200 m (13,780 ft)).