Snow in Gulmarg: the most reliable snow in Kashmir.
At about 2,650 m, with a Gondola that climbs towards 4,000 m, Gulmarg holds snow longer than almost anywhere you can reach by road in India. Here is how the season runs, a live forecast, and how to plan around it.
- ~2,650 m Gulmarg meadow
- Dec–Mar snow on the ground
- 14 Oct 2026 fresh snow at Apharwat
- Live 7-day snow forecast
Photo: Skywayman9, CC BY-SA 3.0
Updated November 2026 · HP Tourism registered travel agent · Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022 · certificates
Gulmarg usually has snow on the ground from late December to March, and January and February are the most reliable months. The upper slopes at Kongdoori and Apharwat get snow much earlier — this season Apharwat Peak got fresh snow on 14 October 2026 — while the meadow in town usually turns white in December. Last winter Gulmarg had about two inches of fresh snow on 21 December 2025, the day Chillai Kalan (Kashmir’s 40 coldest days) began. For skiing, plan January to early March; for snow play and the Gondola, late December to February. Check the live forecast below a week before you travel.
- Most reliable monthsJanuary and February; late December and early March in a normal winter.
- Earliest snowUp high at Apharwat from October; in the meadow usually from December.
- Skiing seasonUsually January to early March, when the base is deep enough.
- Getting thereSrinagar → Gulmarg about 50 km, 1.5–2 h; chains are fitted at Tangmarg in snow.
- Coldest weeksChillai Kalan, 21 December to about 30 January.
When does it snow in Gulmarg?
Gulmarg sits in a cup-shaped meadow on the Pir Panjal range. Snow comes with western disturbances — winter weather systems from the west — and because the resort is high and the slopes above it climb steeply, snow arrives early up top and stays late.
The pattern is easy to see each autumn. Apharwat Peak, at the top of the Gondola, usually catches the first flakes in September or October; this season it got a fresh coat on 14 October 2026, with tourists out in it the same day. The meadow in town normally turns white in December, and by January the whole bowl is deep in snow.
Last winter, Gulmarg had about two inches of fresh snow on 21 December 2025, the first day of Chillai Kalan — the 40 coldest days of the Kashmir winter, which run until about 30 January. Snow in the valley floor around Srinagar is much less certain, which is why Gulmarg is where most snow trips to Kashmir are built.
Gulmarg snowfall by month
A simple guide built from recent seasons and the usual winter pattern. Use the live forecast on this page for your actual dates.
| Month | Gulmarg meadow | Kongdoori & Apharwat (Gondola) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | Rare; frost | First snow up high in many years | Clear, crisp days; autumn colours lower down |
| November | Occasional light snow | Snow likely | Cold nights; fewer visitors |
| December | Snow usually arrives | Snow cover building | Christmas–New Year rush; book early |
| January | Deep snow most years | Best ski conditions begin | Coldest month; roads can shut after heavy spells |
| February | Deep snow | Peak ski season | Snow sports events — the 2026 Khelo India Winter Games Gulmarg leg ran 23–26 Feb |
| March | Snow lies on, starts to thaw late | Good spring snow | Longer days; spring skiing |
Recent dates are real; the month guide is a pattern, not a promise. For the rest of the valley see Kashmir snowfall by month, and our Kashmir in December and Kashmir in January guides.
Will it snow in Gulmarg this week?
Snow expected in the next 7 days at Gulmarg — with Solang, Sissu, Manali, Auli and Narkanda for comparison, in case you are choosing between Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand. Bars show forecast snow per day; a gold outline means snow is in this week’s forecast.
Snow in the next 7 days
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Forecast data: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), refreshed through the day — last update —. Snow in cm is estimated from forecast precipitation (1 mm ≈ 1 cm) when it falls as snow; treat it as a guide, not a promise.
Gulmarg in the snow
The Gondola, the snowed-in huts of the meadow and the slopes towards Kongdoori — real photographs, each credited to its photographer.
Best snow points in and around Gulmarg
From the meadow you can walk to, up to the top of the Gondola — listed from lowest to highest.
Gulmarg meadow & St Mary's Church
Sledge rides, snow walks and the classic view of the snowed-in church and huts. Easy for families and older travellers.
Kongdoori (Gondola Phase 1)
The bowl above the meadow — snow play, beginner slopes and ski lessons. The busiest stop in peak weeks.
Apharwat (Gondola Phase 2)
Big views of the Pir Panjal and, on clear days, Nanga Parbat. Phase 2 closes in high wind or heavy snow; it is for confident skiers off the top.
Ski slopes
Lessons for first-timers and long runs for experienced skiers — see our skiing in Gulmarg guide.
Tangmarg & Drung
The frozen Drung waterfall and snowy pine forest on the way in; Tangmarg is where chains are fitted.
Doodhpathri & Yusmarg
Quieter snow meadows when Gulmarg is crowded — see Doodhpathri and Yusmarg.
Travelling to Gulmarg in snow season
Roads: Srinagar to Gulmarg is about 50 km, 1.5–2 hours. After fresh snow, the climb above Tangmarg needs snow chains and is sometimes open only to 4x4s for a few hours until it is cleared — keep a buffer day and travel up in daylight. Distances to Pahalgam and Sonmarg are in our Srinagar distance guide.
Gondola: tickets sell out quickly in the Christmas–New Year weeks and on winter weekends, so book on the official J&K Cable Car Corporation portal as soon as your dates are fixed. Phase 2 to Apharwat often stops in wind or heavy snow — plan it for the morning and keep a second day free.
Flights: Srinagar airport sometimes sees delays in heavy snow or fog; leave a gap before onward flights. A Srinagar taxi with a driver who knows the hill road is the easiest way up.
Clothes: a proper down or padded jacket, thermals, waterproof gloves, a cap and boots with grip. Snow boots and long coats can be hired in Tangmarg and Gulmarg.
Gulmarg snow trips we plan
Every trip is quoted for your dates — hotels, breakfast and dinner, and a private cab from Srinagar.
Want to see snow in Gulmarg?
Tell us your dates and group. We watch the forecast, help with Gondola timing, and send one written quote with hotel, meals and a private cab from Srinagar. Suzu Travels is an HP Tourism registered travel agent based in Bilaspur, Himachal, planning trips across North India.
Questions travellers ask
Which month is best for snowfall in Gulmarg?
January and February are the most reliable months for deep snow. Late December usually has snow too, and early March is good for spring snow. October and November bring snow mainly to the upper slopes at Kongdoori and Apharwat.
When did Gulmarg get snow this season?
Apharwat Peak, at the top of the Gulmarg Gondola, got fresh snow on 14 October 2026. Last winter, the Gulmarg resort had about two inches of fresh snow on 21 December 2025, the first day of Chillai Kalan.
Does it snow in Gulmarg in December?
Usually yes — the meadow normally turns white in December, though a dry year can delay it. The upper slopes reached by the Gondola are almost always snowy by then.
When is the skiing season in Gulmarg?
Usually from January to early March, once the snow base is deep enough. Beginners can take lessons at Kongdoori; Apharwat is for experienced skiers.
Is it safe to drive to Gulmarg in snow?
Yes with care: chains are fitted at Tangmarg, the road is sometimes limited to 4x4s for a few hours after heavy snow, and it is best driven in daylight with a driver who knows it. Keep a buffer day.
How far is Gulmarg from Srinagar?
About 50 km, which takes 1.5–2 hours by road, longer after fresh snow.
How can I know if it will snow in Gulmarg on my dates?
Check the live 7-day forecast on this page a week before you travel. Forecasts beyond about a week are not reliable for snow.
Sources
- ANI: Fresh snowfall brings early winter at Gulmarg's Apharwat Peak — 14 Oct 2026
- Outlook India: Kashmir sees snowfall and rain as Chillai-Kalan begins — 21 Dec 2025
- Tribune India: Khelo India Winter Games second leg in Gulmarg, 23–26 Feb 2026
- MET Norway Locationforecast (CC BY 4.0) — live forecast data
Photo credits
The Gulmarg Gondola over snowed-in huts — Photo: Skywayman9, CC BY-SA 3.0 · The Gondola base station in winter — Photo: Vikas Yadav (Thevikasin), Public domain · A snow-clad hut in Gulmarg — Photo: Zahoor Bhat, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The Gulmarg meadow under snow — Photo: Slyronit, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Walking the snow near Kongdoori — Photo: Slyronit, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gulmarg in December — Photo: Mutahir Showkat, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Snow on an old Gulmarg hotel — Photo: Mohamad Talib Bhat, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Kongdoori, the Gondola phase 1 station — Photo: Slyronit, CC BY-SA 4.0
