Gulmarg, Kashmir
Deep snow, big mountains, no queues.
A two-stage gondola takes you to nearly 4,000 metres on Mount Apharwat. From there it’s open bowls, quiet pine forests and snow that falls the way it always has, with no machines involved. We’ve been skiing Gulmarg for the last 3 decades, and we’ll sort your lessons, gear, guides and airport pickup so you can just ski.
Snowboarder carving fresh powder under blue skies in Gulmarg.
Why Gulmarg
Gulmarg’s cable car is one of the highest in the world. Ride it to the top and you have roughly 900 vertical metres of open terrain between you and the mid-station at Kongdori.
Nothing here is groomed into a motorway. Winter storms roll in from the west and leave the kind of powder most resorts only advertise. Every storm adds about 3ft of snow in a single snowpack.
On snowy days the forest gives you shelter and soft turns. When the sky opens up, so does the mountain.
No hour-long lift lines, no crowds fighting for the same slope. Most days, fresh tracks are still there after breakfast.
A week of lessons, rentals and guiding here costs a fraction of the Alps or Japan. Starting from 28,000/-.
Kahwa by the fire, a wazwan dinner, a night on a Dal Lake houseboat on the way home. It’s the part of the trip people talk about afterwards.
Pick your trip
Five days of small-group lessons on the gentle slopes near the village. Gear, passes and lunch are included, and by the end of the week most of our beginners are riding the gondola. Our local and experienced instructors will make sure that every step in learning is smooth and joyful.
See this tripFor skiers who’ve done the Alps or Japan and want something wilder. Each morning our guides check the conditions and pick the best snow that’s safe to ski, whether that’s Apharwat’s open faces or tree runs in a storm.
See this tripSkins, transceivers and a ridge to climb. Guided days and multi-day tours beyond the gondola for trained, equipped skiers who want the mountain to themselves. Our guides are certified and trained to the New Zealand standard AIARE.
See this tripNatural pillows, wind lips and deep snow in the trees. Lessons, board rental and freeride guiding at every level.
See this tripSki school for the kids in the morning, sledging and snowball fights after lunch, and a gondola ride the grandparents will love. We’ll book you somewhere warm and close to the slopes.
See this tripA few nights in a snowed-in Gulmarg chalet, then a houseboat on Dal Lake. Private lessons, a sleigh ride and dinner by the fire.
See this tripFly into Srinagar on Friday morning and you can be on snow that afternoon. A tight three-day plan for people who can’t take a full week off.
See this tripBeginner lessons for everyone, a trip to the top of the gondola, and bonfire dinners in the evening. Also works well for ski clubs, college groups and friends travelling together.
See this tripWhat we offer
Patient local instructors, from your first slide to your first gondola run.
Book a lesson
Skis, boards, boots, helmets and avalanche kit, fitted the evening you arrive.
Reserve gearThe best snow of the day, chosen by guides who check conditions every morning.
Ski with a guide
Guided tours beyond the gondola to lines few people ski.
Plan a tour
Tickets and timing are sorted, so you’re on one of the first cabins up.
Get gondola help
Srinagar airport to your hotel, with room for skis.
Book a pickup
Stays we know and trust, close to the slopes.
Find a stay
Houseboats, Mughal gardens, Pahalgam and Sonamarg.
Add KashmirPackages
A week of lessons, rentals and guiding starts from 28,000/-. Shorter trips start lower.
5 days, learn to ski
Starting at ₹28,000
View this package7 days, guided
Starting price $1,117
View this package6 nights, couples
Starting at ₹25,500 per person
View this package3 days
₹18,000
View this package6 days
₹68,000
View this packageWhen to come
The season runs from December to March, with the deepest snow usually in January and February.
| Month | Roughly (°C) | What to expect | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | −6 to 2 | Early snow, festive holidays | Families and holiday groups |
| January | −8 to 0 | Coldest, lightest powder | Powder skiers and snowboarders |
| February | −7 to 2 | Deep snow and longer days | Just about everyone |
| March | −2 to 8 | Sunshine and softer spring snow | Learners, couples, sightseeing trips |
| April | 2 to 12 | Snow mainly up high | Backcountry skiers |
Plan your trip
Fly into Srinagar (SXR) from Delhi, Mumbai or another major city. We’ll meet you at arrivals and drive you the 50 or so kilometres up to Gulmarg, usually about two hours. Heavy snow can slow the road, so we keep an eye on it for you.
Staying in Gulmarg means you’re at the gondola early instead of stuck in traffic. Tell us your budget and group size and we’ll suggest a few options.
The top of the gondola is close to 4,000 metres, so take the first day gently. Warm up on the lower slopes, drink plenty of water, and save the summit for day two.
A waterproof jacket and trousers, thermals, a warm mid-layer, helmet, goggles, two pairs of waterproof gloves, ski socks, sunscreen and lip balm. Going off-piste? You’ll need a transceiver, shovel and probe, and to know how to use them. If you don’t own any of this, we rent it.
Make sure your travel insurance covers skiing, snowboarding and mountain rescue.
Skiing safely
Gulmarg is serious terrain, and the best days here come from making smart choices. Five things we ask of every guest:
Our full backcountry guide, covering snowpack, the avalanche danger scale and how to choose a guide, sits on its own page for skiers who want the detail.
Yes. It’s India’s best-known ski area, with natural snow, tree skiing, open bowls and a gondola that reaches nearly 4,000 metres.
December to March, with the most snow in January and February. The upper mountain often holds snow into April.
Definitely. The slopes near the village are gentle, and most beginners are comfortable on easy runs after four or five days of lessons.
Packages start from ₹18,000 for a three-day long weekend, and from ₹28,000 for a five-day learn-to-ski trip.
No. You can rent skis, snowboards, boots, helmets and avalanche kit in Gulmarg. Bring your own warm clothes, gloves and goggles.
Fly to Srinagar, then it’s about a two-hour drive. We can pick you up at the airport.
It can be, with the right conditions, equipment, training and a local guide. Check the daily avalanche report and never ski backcountry terrain alone.
Ride the gondola, go sledging or snowshoeing, take a sleigh ride, or spend a few days in Srinagar or Pahalgam.
Most days in season, but high winds or poor visibility can close the upper section. It’s worth building a spare day into your trip.
Meet Taj
As Taj transitioned into adulthood, he became one of the most trusted and highly sought-after private backcountry ski guides in the region. Realizing that the true spirit of Himalayan guiding belongs to the people who reside on these peaks, Taj founded Himalayan Edges in 2017. His vision was simple yet profound: to build a premier, safety-first adventure company managed, operated, and sustained entirely by local Kashmiri mountain professionals.
Meet Taj Irshad
Line of the week
An 8 km run with about 2,000 metres of vertical, from bowls near 4,000 m down to the river at Drung.
Shark Fin, the Outer Bowls and Drung
