The snowfall in Gulmarg varies from year to year, but Gulmarg always gets lots of snow! The average annual snowfall in Gulmarg (not well documented) is approximately 14 meters, while during the 2004-05 season there was an amazing 20 meters of snow!

Gulmarg is located at 34 degrees North Latitude – its snow conditions can be compared with Taos Ski Valley in the U.S. (New Mexico) and Portillo, Chile. Although the Pir Panjal mountain range is far from the ocean, the moisture condenses over the mountains from the Indus watershed. This makes the snow dry but with a high content of moisture. The dry, cold nights and the altitude help to stabilize the snow quickly. Most importantly, the fact that there are not a lot of skiers and snowboarders helps to keep the powder fresh for days!

The base elevation of Gulmarg is 2,660 meters, and the top elevation is 3,980 meters. The summit of Mt. Apharwat is 4,124 meters (which you can hike up to). Lift accessed vertical meters is 1,330 meters.

There are a total of 5 ski lifts in Gulmarg: Gulmarg Gondola (2 phases), a 4-passenger chairlift, and 3 surface (poma) lifts. See our mountain statistics page for more details.

The weather in Gulmarg Ski Resort is comparable to the Swiss Alps. The average temperature in Gulmarg in Celsius is:

January - 6.4℃
February - 3.4℃
March - 1.6℃

The ski season runs between January 1st and March 31st (it might extend if the conditions are good, safe and stable). In our opinion,the best time to ski Gulmarg is between the 3rd week of January to late-February. That's when we typically get the most snow. March can suprisingly be very good, with a very low amount of tourists and many storms. During that time, it can be pretty hot and the snow transforms very rapidly. Keep in mind that Gulmarg Ski Resort does not have snowmaking operations so we must rely on Mother Nature entirely.

Yes! Heliskiing was introduced to Gulmarg in 2011 with the opening of Kashmir Heliski (formerly Gulmarg Heliski). See our heliskiing page for complete details.

Yes, but ski lessons are geared more towards locals and beginner skiers and snowboarders. We can organize lessons with a local partner company for beginner skiers and snowboarders.

Gulmarg has private instructors and certified Ski Guides. See more info on our ski guides page.

Beginners and/or low intermediate skiers will be able to ski Gulmarg; however, since most of Gulmarg is not controlled, there is very limited terrain for a beginner or low intermediate skier. We can organize packages for beginner skiers and snowboarders, including instructors and/or Ski Guides.

Absolutely! We highly recommend hiring a certified local Ski Guide. A qualified Ski Guide knows the mountain very well and can take you to the best lines. Most importantly, skiing with a qualified Ski Guide is an important safety issue. For more detailed info on why you should hire a Ski Guide, visit our ski guides page.

There are some basic safety rules that every skier should follow: never ski alone and carry appropriate safety equipment. We also recommend hiring a certified local Ski Guide. See our safety page for more detailed information.

First of all, you should ski Gulmarg knowing that all evacuation and rescue should come from your ski party. If you are skiing with a certified Ski Guide, they most likely will carry radios & first-aid equipment and can help evacuate you from the mountain. Make sure your travel insurance policy covers off-piste skiing, "search and rescue," and helicopter evacuation in the event of an emergency.

Avalanches are a threat in any mountain environment. Gulmarg has some steep slopes and receives a large amount of annual snowfall — making avalanche a possibility. Gulmarg Snow Safety posts a daily advisory on avalanche danger and provides courses on mountain safety and avalanche education. Skiing with a certified Ski Guide is recommended, and following the tips on our safety page will ensure your safety.

Yes, there is a lot of hiking in Gulmarg although you can do plenty of skiing without hiking. Gulmarg's elevation rises to 3,980 meters, and you can hike up to the summit of Mt. Apharwat at 4,124 meters. Due to the elevation of Gulmarg and lots of hiking options, it is important that skiers and snowboarders are in good physical condition. We recommend that you start a physical training program at least 6 weeks before you arrive in Gulmarg.

Purchasing a ski lift ticket can be confusing for first-time travelers to India as the procedure is different than Western resorts. Ski lift tickets are available in single tickets, daily, weekly or season passes. Tickets can be purchased online at www.gulmarggondola.com, in person at the "Gondola ticket block" in Gulmarg, the Srinagar Airport, the Srinagar Tourist Reception Center, and the J&K State Cable Car Corporation Office in Katra and Jammu. I would recommend buying single ride tickets on most days. A season pass can be a good option if you are there from early January. Lift passes are not included in our All Inclusive Pacakges. We recommend hiring a guide. That way the guide will go buy the tickets for you. It makes things so much easier and way faster as they get tickets first from friends working for the resort.

Sometimes the Gulmarg Gondola shuts down due to heavy snowstorm conditions or mechanical difficulties. For this reason, we recommend that you only purchase single day lift tickets in case the Gondola is not operating. It is sometimes possible to get the ticket signed on the back and reuse it the next day but not always. Skigulmarg is not responsible for reimbusrsing in anyways.