Gulmarg, known as the meadow of flowers, is a small town and a hill station that is popular for skiing. The meadows of Gulmarg that are lush green in April and May, get capped with snow during the snowfall season that starts after December every year. Gulmarg is located at an elevation of 3950 metres and is the third-highest ski resort in the world. It has several powdery snow runs, and ski slopes, which is why this hill station attracts snowboarding and skiing enthusiasts across the globe.
The best time for snow skiing in Gulmarg is January to March. This region experiences the maximum snowfall between the third week of January and late-February. In which month does snow start in Gulmarg? Snowfall begins around the end of December and lasts till mid-February. So, for snow lovers, January and February are the best months to visit Gulmarg.
How much does skiing in Gulmarg cost? The ticket cost for skiing in Gulmarg for phase 1 (Gulmarg to Kongdori) is around 800 INR for Indians and around 1200 INR for foreigners for extended duration. The price for phase 2 (Kongdori to Mt. Apharwat) is about 1200 INR for Indians and 1900 INR for foreigners.
Can you ski in March or April in Gulmarg? This time can be good because of the fewer number of tourists and sometimes, Gulmarg experiences snowfall even in March. However, there’s a higher possibility that the weather will be warm.
Can you learn skiing in Gulmarg? There are some resorts that provide tourists with training in skiing. Professional instructors are assigned to groups or solo travellers for them to learn skiing or snowboarding during their stay in Gulmarg.
Apart from knowing the best time to visit Gulmarg for snow skiing, you should also have information about the nature of ski slopes and the ways to get there. The Apharwat peak in Gulmarg, with a height of 4390 m, is the longest ski slope in Asia. The mountain is divided into two phases. Phase 1 links Gulmarg to Kungdori which can be accessed using a gondola and then you can ski back to the village. Phase 2 links Kungdori to the Apharwat peak which can be reached in a gondola. From Kungdori to Marry Shoulder, you can take a chair lift, from where you can ski to Gulmarg.
In Gulmarg, there are wide and easy slopes for beginners which are open for day as well as night skiing. There are two button lifts along these slopes but mostly, you will have to wait in a long queue to use them. The easy slopes are about 7.5 kms in length, the intermediate-level ski runs are 16.5 kms long and the difficult run is 6 kms in length. Since there is a risk of avalanches on the mountains, it is always better to get an instructor with you, even if you are an expert skier.
The skiing passes for different phases can be purchased at the ski station. The government equipment rental shop is close to the beginners’ slopes from where good-quality skis, boots and poles can be rented for about 800 INR per day. It is advisable to carry your own helmet and eye gear as these cannot be taken on rent. There are some restaurants along the ski slopes in Gulmarg. They serve you freshly prepared tasty snacks.
As said earlier, it is recommended that you take a ski instructor with you. They charge around 2500 INR per day. They are Kashmiri locals, speak basic English, all of them are experts at skiing, and some of them are even certified trainers. The instructors help you with buying the ski passes, gondola or chairlift tickets and also rent the skis and shoes for you.
This information about skiing in Gulmarg should help you on your next trip to this beautiful town. Schedule your visit around the best time for skiing in Gulmarg. This ski destination in Jammu and Kashmir should be explored at least once in life.
