Skiing in Gulmarg means the runs on Apharwat mountain and the Khilanmarg meadow in the Pir Panjal range, reached by the Gulmarg gondola. Snow usually arrives in November and holds into March or April; the reliable skiing months are December through February. Beginners learn at Khilanmarg, and stronger skiers ride the gondola to Apharwat.
Duke Kashmir Travels has arranged winter trips to Gulmarg from Srinagar since 2011 under Department of Tourism registration JKTA00003978. Kashmir packages start near ₹6,350 per person, two to a room, with ski days quoted separately.
By Duke Kashmir Travels Team · Reviewed by Rayies Ahmad Zargar, Founder · Published · Updated
Key takeaways
- Season runs roughly December to March, with the deepest cover in January and February.
- Gulmarg sits in the Pir Panjal, at the northern edge of the valley.
- The gondola doubles as the ski lift up Apharwat.
- Khilanmarg is the gentle meadow where most beginners start.
- Championships and race weeks are held through the season.
- The place was called Gaurimarg before Yousuf Shah Chak renamed it Gulmarg.
Where do beginners and experienced skiers go?
Beginners ski the gentle slopes at Khilanmarg above the meadow; experienced skiers take the gondola to Apharwat for the long descents.
Instruction is available locally and most first-timers take a couple of half-day lessons. Off-piste terrain on Apharwat is serious, avalanche-prone country and should only be skied with a qualified guide.
When is the season?
Snow generally arrives in November and can last into April, but December to March is the dependable window, with January and February the strongest.
Conditions vary year to year, so build a Gulmarg trip with a spare day rather than a single fixed date. Warm gear matters: the top station is exposed and the wind chill is significant.
What about equipment and lift tickets?
Skis, boots and clothing are hired at Gulmarg. Gondola tickets are bought from the J&K Cable Car Corporation and are not part of package rates.
We arrange hotels, transfers and instructors, and time the drive from Srinagar so guests reach the counters early. Read the gondola page for how the lift itself works, and Kashmir tour ideas for winter itineraries.
Booking this with us
Behind the itineraries: Duke Kashmir Travels, a Srinagar agency carrying tourism registration JKTA00003978 from March 2011, IATO membership ALD150928 and a seat in the JK Tourism Council. Details on About Us.
Give us the dates and the number of travellers; the itinerary and the quote come back the same day. +91 9018 44 0000, info@dukekashmirtravels.com, or the contact page.
About the founder
Duke Kashmir Travels is owned and run by its founder, Rayies Ahmad Zargar, who set it up in Srinagar in 2011 and checks these destination pages himself. LinkedIn.