Kashmir
Gulmarg
Gulmarg is a meadow at about 2,650 metres, two hours from Srinagar, best known for the gondola that climbs towards Apharwat at roughly 3,980 metres. It is India’s main ski destination in winter and a green alpine meadow in summer. One night is usually enough.
- Altitude
- About 2,650 m, gondola to about 3,980 m
- From Srinagar
- About 2 hours
- Winter
- Skiing, roughly January to March
- Days needed
- 1 night
- Known for
- Gondola, skiing, golf course
The gondola
Two stages: the first to Kongdoori at about 3,080 m, the second towards Apharwat at roughly 3,980 m. Tickets for each stage are separate and the second stage closes in bad weather. Book early in the day — queues in season are the main complaint.
Winter against summer
January to March is snow and skiing, with equipment and instructors available on the meadow. May to September is green, with the golf course open and walks towards Khilanmarg. They are effectively two different destinations.
Questions people ask
Is the Gulmarg gondola worth it?
Yes, particularly the first stage, which is reliable and gives the meadow and valley views. The second stage is weather-dependent and closes often. Buy tickets early; the queue is the real constraint, not the price.
Can beginners ski at Gulmarg?
Yes. There are gentle slopes around Kongdoori with instructors and rental equipment. The upper Apharwat terrain is for experienced skiers and off-piste riders.
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Tours that go there
Every one of these is run by our own team, with the drivers and the permits arranged.
Read next
- Srinagar travel guideSrinagar sits at about 1,585 metres on Dal Lake and is the arrival point for almost every Kashmir itinerary. A houseboat night, a shikara ride and the Mughal gardens fill two days, after which most trips move on to Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg.
- Pahalgam travel guidePahalgam sits at about 2,130 metres where the Lidder river comes down from the Kolahoi glacier, roughly two and a half hours from Srinagar. Aru, Betaab and Chandanwari are the three valleys reached from it, and it is also the traditional starting point of the Amarnath yatra.
- Snow trip packagesJanuary and February are the reliable snow months in Himachal and Kashmir. Kufri and Solang get snow before Shimla and Manali towns do, and Gulmarg is the most dependable of all because the gondola climbs to about 3,980 metres. December is possible but not guaranteed anywhere.
- Best time to visit KashmirApril to October covers Kashmir’s green season, with tulips in April, gardens through summer and clear valleys into autumn. December to February brings snow to Gulmarg and the ski season. Each is a genuinely different trip rather than a better or worse one.
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