Best Time to Visit Gulmarg: Snow, Skiing and Meadows

Quick answer

Visit Gulmarg from late December to early March for snow and skiing, with January and February the most reliable months. For green meadows, wildflowers and the walk to Alpather Lake, go between May and September. April and November are in-between months, slushy or bare but cheap. The Gondola runs all year, weather permitting.

Month-by-month at a glance

Jan1°Best
Feb2°Best
Mar6°Good
Apr11°Fair
May16°Good
Jun20°Best
Jul22°Good
Aug21°Good
Sep18°Good
Oct13°Good
Nov8°Fair
Dec3°Good

BestGoodFairAvoidTemperatures are average daily highs (°C).

Gulmarg weather, crowds and what to expect

Monthly weather, crowds and our verdict
Month	High / Low	Rain	Crowds	What to expect
JanuaryBest	1° / -8°	150 mm	high	Deep snow, prime skiing, very cold
FebruaryBest	2° / -7°	160 mm	high	Best powder; long-weekend crowds
MarchGood	6° / -4°	170 mm	medium	Spring skiing, longer days
AprilFair	11° / 0°	130 mm	medium	Slush in the village, snow up top
MayGood	16° / 4°	100 mm	high	Meadows open; snow at Apharwat
JuneBest	20° / 7°	60 mm	high	Wildflowers, golf, family season
JulyGood	22° / 11°	80 mm	medium	Green; afternoon showers; Alpather walkable
AugustGood	21° / 10°	80 mm	medium	Green meadows, some rain
SeptemberGood	18° / 6°	50 mm	medium	Clear and calm
OctoberGood	13° / 1°	40 mm	low	Crisp, quiet, browning meadows
NovemberFair	8° / -3°	50 mm	low	Cold and bare; snow rare
DecemberGood	3° / -6°	100 mm	high	First snow; Christmas–New Year rush

Long-term monthly averages. Individual years vary — check a forecast in the week before you travel.

Festivals and events in Gulmarg

Late December to March
Ski season
Best snow in January and February; ski schools and gear hire operate from the village.
24 December to 2 January
Christmas and New Year
The busiest and dearest week of the year; book months ahead.
February or March, in years Gulmarg hosts
National winter games
The Khelo India Winter Games have been held here; hotels fill fast when they are on.
May to July
Wildflower season
Khilanmarg and the meadows around the golf course flower.
21 December to 31 January
Chillai Kalan
The coldest 40 days; heaviest snowfall and frequent Gondola stoppages.

Snow or meadows: which Gulmarg do you want?

Gulmarg sits at about 2,650 m, roughly 50 km from Srinagar, and it has two distinct personalities. From late December to March it is India's best-known ski area, with the Gondola lifting skiers to the shoulder of Apharwat at close to 3,980 m. From May to September the same slopes are meadows used by shepherds, ponies and day-trippers from Srinagar.

Winter: late December to March

Snow usually settles by the last week of December, but the base is thin until January. January and February bring the deepest powder and the coldest nights, down to –8 to –10°C. Expect the Gondola to stop during storms and the Tangmarg road to need snow chains; cabs carry them and charge a fitting fee of a few hundred rupees. Christmas–New Year and February long weekends are the most expensive weeks.

Spring and summer: April to September

April is the awkward month: slush in the village while Phase 2 still has deep snow. From May, flowers come up on Khilanmarg and the golf course reopens. July and August bring afternoon showers. Alpather Lake usually stays frozen until June.

Autumn: October and November

Clear, cold and quiet. Meadows turn brown, there is no snow to play in, and hotels discount hard. Good for a calm stay, not for postcard pictures.

In peak season take Gondola Phase 1 before 10 am. Online slots sell out by mid-morning and cloud often rolls in after lunch. The Gondola also shuts for maintenance on some days each month and for weeks at a time when repairs are due, as it did from late May to late June 2026.

How does Gulmarg fit a Kashmir trip?

Most people do Gulmarg as a day trip or a single night from Srinagar. One night is better: you ride the Gondola before the day-trippers arrive and see the meadow empty at dusk. See the best time to visit Kashmir for the wider valley, things to do in Gulmarg for the full list, and where to stay in Kashmir for hotel options in Gulmarg and Tangmarg.

Frequently asked questions

When does it snow in Gulmarg?

The first snow usually falls in December, and it tends to stay on the ground from late December to early March. January and February have the most reliable cover for skiing and sledging. In some years snow arrives in November, and in others the December base is thin, so check recent snowfall reports before booking a Christmas trip.

Can I see snow in Gulmarg in May or June?

Yes, but not in the village. By May the meadow at 2,650 m is green, while Apharwat at the top of Gondola Phase 2 usually holds snow into May and patches into June. Phase 2 is weather-dependent, so give yourself a morning slot and a second day as backup if snow is the main reason for going.

Is the Gulmarg Gondola open in winter?

Yes. The Gondola runs through winter and is the main lift for skiers, but it stops during snowstorms and high winds, sometimes for a day or more. Phase 2 closes more often than Phase 1. Book tickets online through the J&K Cable Car Corporation and keep your plan flexible on stormy days.

Is Gulmarg worth visiting in October or November?

It is worth it for a quiet, cheap stay with clear mountain views and empty Gondola queues. It is not worth it if you want snow or green meadows: by late October the grass is brown and snowfall is rare before December. Combine it with Srinagar's chinar season, which peaks in early November.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.