Updated: October 2026
Quick answer
- When: December to February is Kashmir’s snow season. The coldest 40 days, called Chillai Kalan, run from 21 December to 31 January. For the best chance of snow with fewer crowds, aim for January or early February.
- Where: Gulmarg for deep snow and the Gondola, Sonamarg now that the Z-Morh tunnel keeps it reachable in winter, Pahalgam for snowy valleys, and Srinagar for Dal Lake and a houseboat night.
- Getting there: fly to Srinagar, or take the Vande Bharat train to Srinagar via Katra. Snow regularly shuts the Jammu–Srinagar highway (NH-44) around Banihal, and the train has kept running on such days.
- Plan for: one buffer day for flights and roads, proper winter boots and gloves, and a postpaid SIM, because prepaid SIMs from outside J&K do not work in Kashmir.
Kashmir in winter, month by month
| Month | What to expect | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Early–mid December | Cold and mostly dry, first proper snow on Gulmarg and the higher valleys some years, little in Srinagar town | Quieter trips before the holiday rush |
| 21 Dec – 31 Jan (Chillai Kalan) | The harshest cold. Srinagar nights fall below freezing (cold waves have taken it to about −7°C); Gulmarg and Pahalgam nights commonly drop to −6°C to −12°C. Heaviest snowfall spells and most road closures | Snow lovers, Christmas–New Year trips, skiing in Gulmarg |
| February | Chillai Khurd (31 Jan – 19 Feb): still snowy in Gulmarg and Pahalgam, slightly milder days, fewer tourists | Best value snow trip, skiing |
| March | Snow melting in the valleys, still on Gulmarg’s upper slopes; the Tulip Garden usually opens in mid-to-late March | Late snow plus early spring |
Snow is never guaranteed on a fixed date. If snow is the whole point, keep Gulmarg in the plan (it holds snow longest) and check the forecast a week before. Our best time to visit Kashmir guide covers the rest of the year.
Getting to Kashmir in winter: roads, trains and flights
- Jammu–Srinagar highway (NH-44): the only all-weather road into the valley, but snow on both sides of the Navyug tunnel and around Banihal shuts it several times each winter, often for a day or more while the road is cleared. Do not plan to drive in and fly out on the same tight schedule.
- Other roads: Mughal Road, Sinthan Top, Zojila (Sonamarg to Ladakh), Razdan Pass and Margan Top close for winter or after every heavy snowfall. Ladakh is not reachable by road from Kashmir in winter.
- Train: Vande Bharat trains now run Jammu Tawi – Katra – Srinagar, and in January 2026 the train kept running while snow had shut the highway. From Delhi, take a train to Jammu or Katra and continue by rail.
- Flights: Srinagar (SXR) flights can be delayed or cancelled by snow and poor visibility. Keep one buffer day before any onward connection.
If you prefer a private cab from Jammu, see our Jammu to Srinagar taxi; in winter we only confirm the departure on the morning, once the highway status is known.
Where to go in winter
Gulmarg
Kashmir’s surest snow. The Gulmarg Gondola runs in two stages: Phase 1 from Gulmarg (about 2,650 m) to Kongdoori (about 3,050 m), and Phase 2 from Kongdoori to the Apharwat top station at about 3,950–3,980 m. Phase 2 closes often for wind, poor visibility and avalanche control, so treat it as a bonus. Book tickets only on the official J&K Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) portal, and note that the Gondola has been shutting on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month for maintenance. Skiing runs roughly December to March; hire only government-registered instructors.
Sonamarg
The 6.4 km Z-Morh tunnel at Gagangeer, opened in January 2025, keeps Sonamarg reachable from Srinagar through winter, weather permitting. Zojila beyond Sonamarg stays closed, so Sonamarg is a snow day trip or a night stop, not a route to Ladakh.
Pahalgam
The town and the Lidder river look their best under snow. Betaab Valley, Aru and Chandanwari are open to visitors (Baisaran meadow was still closed in 2026), and they are visited in local union taxis; how far up the taxis can go depends on how much snow has fallen.
Srinagar
Dal Lake, the Mughal gardens under snow and a night on a houseboat. Ask in advance whether your houseboat room has heating, because a few older boats rely only on blankets and a bukhari stove.
Quieter options
Doodhpathri and Yousmarg are calm and beautiful in snow, but their access roads are cleared later than the main tourist routes. Keep them as optional day trips and decide on the morning.
What to pack
- Three layers: thermal base layer, fleece or wool middle layer, and a windproof, waterproof outer jacket. One heavy jacket alone is not enough.
- Feet and hands: waterproof boots with grip (or rent snow boots in Gulmarg), wool socks plus a spare pair, waterproof gloves.
- Head and eyes: woollen cap, neck warmer and sunglasses; snow glare at Gulmarg is strong even on cloudy days.
- Phone: a postpaid connection, and a power bank, because batteries drain fast in the cold.
- Medicines: your regular medicines plus cold-and-cough basics. The Gondola top station is close to 4,000 m, so anyone with heart or breathing conditions should stay at Phase 1.
Food helps too: start the day with harissa, a slow-cooked mutton dish sold in Srinagar on winter mornings, and drink kahwa, saffron and cardamom green tea, through the day.
Kashmir winter packages
All Suzu Travels Kashmir trips are private, with your own cab and driver, and are quoted for your dates and hotel category:
- Snowclad Kashmir Superior – 6 days / 5 nights, Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam, built for December–February.
- Kashmir 6 Nights 7 Days Tour – houseboat night, a night in Gulmarg, two in Pahalgam and a Sonamarg day.
- Stunning Kashmir – all four valleys in 6 days.
- Kashmir with Vaishno Devi – starts in Jammu, darshan at Katra, then the valley.
To compare every option side by side, see best Kashmir tour packages.
Planning a snow trip to Kashmir? Send your dates and group size and we will plan it with a buffer day and the current road and Gondola status. Call or WhatsApp +91 70874 88961 (WhatsApp), or use the Kashmir trip enquiry form. Combining Kashmir with Himachal? Use the free trip quote form.
Kashmir winter travel: frequently asked questions
Which is the best month to see snow in Kashmir?
January and early February give the best chance of snow in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg. The coldest period, Chillai Kalan, runs from 21 December to 31 January. Late December brings snow too, but also the biggest holiday crowds.
Is the Jammu–Srinagar highway open in winter?
It is open most days, but heavy snow around Banihal and the Navyug tunnel closes it several times each winter, usually for a day or more. The Vande Bharat train to Srinagar has kept running on such days, so rail or a flight is the safer way in.
Can I visit Sonamarg in winter?
Yes. Since the Z-Morh tunnel opened in January 2025, Sonamarg can be reached from Srinagar in winter, subject to weather. Zojila beyond Sonamarg stays closed, so you cannot drive on to Ladakh.
Is the Gulmarg Gondola open in winter?
Yes, but Phase 2 to Apharwat often stops for wind, low visibility or avalanche control, and the Gondola has been closing on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month for maintenance. Book on the official JKCCC portal and go early in the day.
How cold does it get in Kashmir in winter?
During Chillai Kalan, Srinagar’s nights drop below freezing, falling to around −7°C in cold waves, while Gulmarg and Pahalgam nights commonly reach −6°C to −12°C. Days are a few degrees above freezing when the sun is out.
Is Kashmir safe to visit in winter?
The main tourist areas (Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam’s open valleys) receive visitors all winter. The real risks are weather-related: road closures, cancelled flights and icy roads. Travel with a local driver used to snow driving, and keep a buffer day.
