• Jammu Kashmir
  • Uttarakhand
  • Skiing
  • 5
  • 6
  • ₹ 40400 - ₹ 67500

Skiing in Gulmarg TripsDone

Skiing Course in Gulmarg
days 5
Skiing Course in Gulmarg Gulmarg ,Jammu Kashmir
Basic Skiing Course in Gulmarg
days 6
Basic Skiing Course in Gulmarg Gulmarg ,Jammu Kashmir
Beginner's Skiing Course in Gulmarg, Jammu Kashmir
days 5

Skiing in Gulmarg

Nestled in the Great Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir, Gulmarg has become the go-to skiing destination of India and one of the best Kashmir. Gulmarg is located at the foot of Mt. Apharwat, one of the main peaks of the mighty Pir Panjal Range.

Gulmarg skiing is a great experience as you get to cruise over the snow powder of Mt. Apharwat while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding Himalayas. While skiing, you will also enjoy the magnificent views of Nanga Parbat, one of the 14 Eight Thousander peaks in the world.

Skiing is one of the best adventure activities to do in Kashmir, especially in Gulmarg. It is a rewarding experience that lets you explore the dreamlike landscape of Jammu and Kashmir while also engaging in the thrilling snow-sport. You will have the time of your life while learning how to ski on the slopes of Mt. Apharwat.

Where to ski:

Gulmarg has many pistes and off-piste trails for both the beginner as well as experienced skiers. For beginners, there are many bunny slopes too within the town itself. After some practice, you can head to the Phase I at the base of Apharwat to ski down proper slopes. The Mary Shoulder has the perfect pistes for intermediate skiers. Experienced skiers can head to Sunrise Peak, Jamiah Gulley, Sunset Peak and Monkey Hill to test their skills.

Gulmarg Gondola

Apart from the many ski lifts that help you get back on top of the piste, Gulmarg also has the famous Gulmarg Gondola. It is one of the world's highest operating cable cars and takes you near the peak of Mt. Apharwat. From the top, you get to enjoy some mind-blowing views of the Himalayan peaks all around Gulmarg. A single day pass costs around INR 1000 per person.

Combine your skiing in Gulmarg trip with some wild rafting in Kashmir sessions.

Skiing in Gulmarg Summary

  • State: Kashmir
  • Nearest city: Gulmarg
  • Total days: 1-6 days
  • Grade: Easy to moderate
  • Max altitude: 8,694 feet
  • Season: Mid-January to February
  • Avg temperature: -10 to 10 degrees Celsius

Sketch Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive at Srinagar and head to Gulmarg

  • Drive from Srinagar to Gulmarg in a private vehicle
  • Driving distance: 51 km
  • Driving time: 2 hours
  • Learn the basics about snow conditions, avalanche safety and safety protocols
  • Explore Gulmarg

Day 2: First skiing lesson at Gulmarg

  • First lesson on a 2-degree gradient bunny slope
  • Learn how to handle the skiing equipment and the snowplough
  • Learn the basics of skiing on snow

Day 3: Second skiing lesson at Gulmarg

  • Set off on a 4-degree gradient bunny slope
  • Today’s lesson is focussed on control, speed and navigating turns
  • Get confident in skiing

Day 4: Third skiing lesson at Gulmarg

  • Set off on a 6-degree gradient bunny slope
  • Perfect your skiing techniques like body balance and the snowplough
  • Ski down the slopes of Mt. Apharwat

Day 5: Depart from Srinagar

  • Check-out of the hotel in the morning
  • Drive to the Srinagar Airport
  • The Gulmarg skiing course ends here
Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive at Srinagar and head to Gulmarg

Arrive at Srinagar in the morning and board the private vehicle that will take you to Gulmarg. At Gulmarg, you’ll meet your instructor and begin the course with a light briefing about snow conditions, avalanche safety and protocols. Overnight in a hotel at Gulmarg.

Day 2: First skiing lesson at Gulmarg

Today, you’ll properly start your skiing course and head out into the snowfields of a 2-degree gradient. You’ll learn the basics of skiing and learn how to handle skiing equipment and snowplough. Overnight in a hotel at Gulmarg.

Day 3: Second skiing lesson at Gulmarg

Today, you’ll head to the 4-degree gradient bunny slope and learn more about skiing. Today’s lesson will focus on control, speed and navigating turns. Overnight in a hotel at Gulmarg.

Day 4: Third skiing lesson at Gulmarg

Today is the final day of your course and you’ll go to the 6-degree gradient bunny slope and perfect your techniques, especially how to distribute your body weight correctly. Then you’ll take the Gulmarg gondola to the top of Mt. Apharwat and ski on the slopes. Overnight in a hotel at Gulmarg.

Day 5: Depart from Srinagar

You’ll wake up and check-out of the hotel. You’ll then be driven back to the Srinagar International Airport. The Gulmarg skiing course ends here.

Inclusions:

The Gulmarg skiing course includes airport transfers from the Srinagar International Airport to the hotel and back via a private vehicle. The Gulmarg skiing cost also includes all the equipment required for skiing including skis, poles, boots, etc. along with all the apparel like a suit, jacket, pants, etc. A certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the course.

During the Gulmarg skiing course, you’ll be accommodated in hotel rooms on a triple sharing basis with WiFi access. The meal package includes breakfast from Day 2 to Day 5 and dinner from Day 1 to Day 4.

The package also includes the services of an experienced skiing instructor and support crew along with 24-hour emergency assistance. First aid kit is also included. All applicable taxes are also included.

Exclusions:

You can upgrade the accommodation throughout the trip to a twin sharing basis at an additional cost of approximately INR 4,800 per person.

The Gulmarg skiing package does not include the ski lift charges and they are payable on the spot. Usually, the fee is not more than INR 1000 per skiing day for most travellers.

The cost of Gulmarg skiing does not include travel arrangements from your home-city to Srinagar. The cost also does not include any kind of travel insurance, although it is mandatory to have.

Lastly, the course package does not include any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like bad weather, roadblocks, etc. nor does it include any personal costs like extra meals, beverages, etc. Anything that is not mentioned in the inclusions will be charged additionally if and when used.

Best time to go/Weather

Gulmarg receives some of the heaviest snowfall in the Himalayas. Hence, there is a short window of time when you can go skiing in Gulmarg.

Gulmarg skiing season starts from mid-January to the end of February. Although sometimes, with the season cycle changing, it can sometimes start from mid-December and end in March. This is the only time when the weather conditions are stable enough for skiing.

Gulmarg is a little resort village 2 hours from Srinagar, and most operators provide pick-up and drop-offs to and from Srinagar with their Gulmarg skiing packages. Hence, you have to get to Srinagar for Gulmarg skiing.

Srinagar is a popular tourist spot in India and can be reached by air, road or rail. Srinagar has its own international airport that is connected to most major cities of India like Mumbai, Delhi and Chandigarh.

If you’re coming by train, then you can book your tickets to Jammu Tawi or Udhampur railway stations. These two stations are connected to other major railway stations of India. From there, you can catch a taxi or a bus to Srinagar.

If you want to come by road, then you can take a bus or taxi from most major cities of North India like Delhi, Chandigarh, Leh and Jammu.

Want to explore the surreal Kashmiri landscape on two wheels just before reaching Gulmarg? Check-out the motorbiking trips in Kashmir that begin from Manali.

Gulmarg skiing packages include skiing suits, pants, jackets, etc. for skiing. So you don’t have to worry about those. Apart from these, you have to wear comfortable, quick-dry apparel, synthetic pants, full sleeve t-shirts along with woollen caps, muffler, balaclava, neck gaiter, etc. You have to layer your clothes with thermal inners, down and fleece jacket, etc. to protect yourself from the harsh cold of Gulmarg during the Gulmarg skiing season.

You also need to wear good quality shoes that will protect your feet from the snow.

For Gulmarg skiing, the packages include all the skiing equipment, so you only need to carry your personal essentials. Starting with a rucksack, a day pack, polarised sunglasses, dry snacks, water bottle, sunscreen and lip balm, personal toiletries, etc. Since the weather can be unpredictable sometimes, also carry a raincoat/poncho to keep yourself from getting wet.

Gulmarg skiing packages are designed for beginners who want to get into the sport of skiing. No prior training is required for skiing, but you need to have good fitness levels. You will be spending multiple hours every day out in the snow practising the sport, hence, you need to be fit enough for it.

Skiing in Gulmarg - Frequently Asked Questions

Phase I pistes of Apharwat are for beginners where you can ski without any worries, and the upper reaches are good for expert skiers who want to test their skills. Most of the ski resorts have a marked boundary that is safe to ski without any fear or risk of an avalanche, making these pistes/trails an avalanche free zone. There also some off-pistes that go beyond these boundaries and these trails should only be used by experienced skiers.

Additionally, all the tour operators and instructors put safety as their first priority and have emergency assistance on hand all the time. All of this makes skiing in Gulmarg a safe experience, as long as you follow all the safety protocols and stay within the avalanche free zone.

For skiing in Gulmarg, the safety standards are top-notch. At Gulmarg, there is the Gulmarg Ski Patrol that is managed by avalanche specialists, and this patrol consists of 14 highly trained snow scientists and rescue specialists. The patrol is trained for all sorts of calamities. Additionally, the resort also has a high-tech avalanche warning system to warn if there are any avalanches.

Apart from this, all the tour operators put safety as their top priority and do not compromise on safety. If they think the weather is not stable, then they will cancel the day's activity and move it to the next day when the conditions are stable.

Definitely! Our website lists skiing courses that are designed for beginners who want to learn the art of skiing at the top skiing destinations in India. These courses go on for 4-5 days and teach you how to ski, first on bunny slopes and then on actual trails from Mt. Apharwat. Even if you have never seen snow before, you can book the skiing course in Gulmarg. The only requirement is that you have good fitness levels as the course requires you to spend multiple hours every day out in the snow, practising the sport.

Valley of Flowers Trek Reviews

Reviews

  • Rated : 5

    'We were a group of 5 for the triund trek on 31st dec.. We had a great experience .. I had concerns over the cold temperature as we were to stay in the tents..however it wasn't so cold once you zip the tents and get inside the sleeping bag...there were blankets provided too along with a hot water bag to keep you warm My 2nd concern was that we wanted to stay a little away from the main tents area as we wanted a little solitude...our camps were set up 500 m from the main triund base and it was totally worth it... Our tents were also set up in such a way that we could see the sunrise right from our tent The other services were also to our satisfaction. The food service was good . Our biggest gratitude is towards our guide Aman who took special care as one of our friends foot swelled up and became extremely difficult for her to move . He walked with her throughout the trek and guided her'

  • Rated : 5

    'My trek was for kareri lake It was fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The arrangements were perfect and the food was perfect too. Ashish sir and rajat sir were amazing. They were really helpful and we ( every person ) had a blast. This trek is one which would be etched in my memory. The certificate at the end was icing on the cake. In short, you guys won my heart and I am looking forward for another trek in future with trek trails! You guys are the go to guys now.'

  • Rated : 4

    the service is good and the payment process is smooth. but they are just aggregators and you will be pooled to other service providers. I need to go on long treks to experience more about The Great Next services

  • Rated : 5

    It was a phenomenal experience. My first trek and it was way above my expectations. You guys were so warm and friendly, it felt like we've known each other for a long time. Thankyou for making my first experience a memorable one.

  • Rated : 5

    Very well organised. Ours was a last minute request but they were very helpful in arranging it seamlessly. The entire trek was very smooth. What was promised was delivered. The food could have been better but I am not complaining. On the whole a great experience.

  • Rated : 5

    The coordinators are extremely helpful. They go to extra lengths for helping you in figuring out where do you want to go and will be there with you at every step whenever you need them. Amazing service, I wanted to book a last minute ticket, I didn't think I'd get any good treks, but they sorted me out. Highly recommended.

  • Rated : 5

    Very polite and trained leads. Service was fantastic, food was on point. The trek was beautifully crafted by them. Can't wait for my next trip

  • Rated : 4

    The team is great. They properly guide you so that you can make the most out of your trip. They are very helpful and quick in resolving any of your queries. And the trip was amazing too. The way it was all planned was great. We didn't have to worry about anything. The guides with us on the trek were also very cooperative. The team makes sure that you have everything you need. Recommended 10/10 ❤️

  • Rated : 4

    I would totally recommend TGN to plan your trips. I had booked the Chadar Trek with them...it was my first trek so I had my reservations but Harshal from the The Great Next was very very helpful...he guided me regarding even the most trivial doubts that I had and was very patient throughout the entire booking procedure...the trek was very well organised and we had absolutely no trouble during the entire trek be it accommodations, experienced trek guides and porters, basic utilities on the trek...everything was taken care of...I totally plan to book my next trip with TGN. Thanks Harshal ans Venkat for making this a memorable experience. Cheers!

  • Rated : 5

    Trekking on new year's eve was an amazing experience. Adding to that thanks to the great next for making the overall experience wonderful. Supportive staff, good guides and the facilities were also nice. Keep up the good work

  • Rated : 5

    On trek best arrangement what can be offered.

  • Rated : 5

    'Good organizers. I wanted to trek Triund and the person(Mr Mandhan) who responded to my enquiry was very patient to find the best way for us to do the trek. Also the guide(Sachin) provided was very experienced and professional. Overall, it was a good experience.'

  • Rated :

    'I booked My first trek with these guys (Kheerganga) and it was an Awesome experience. The trek guide (Keshav Sir) was amazing. He was very Frank, A great motivator and the Best person I've met. The trek itself was amazing and had all sorts of scenic views(WaterFalls etc). The person I've contacted (Manthan Gupta) for all my booking query was also cooperative and helpful as required. The problem is just the breakfast you just Can't serve ONLY BreadJam for 16-17 KM of Trek Right ?'

  • Rated : 5

    I went for the Hampta pass and Chanderthal lake trek with them ..... The whole process was amazing ... Right from the online support team to the trek guides everyone was highly professional and helpful .... The campsite, the food and the management was all upto expectations ... All in all I had a great trip ... Cheers !!

  • Rated : 5

    We took Kheerganga trek package for 2 days . It was really worth it. It was well organized and the guide provided to us was very knowledgeable and helpful. All in all, a good experience.

  • Rated : 5

    I booked through them for my first trek (Hampta Pass) and It was a great experience. The trek guides were amazing and very friendly. The trek itself was amazing and had all sorts of scenic views. I'm definitely going on more treks after this.

  • Rated : 1

    Pathetic experience. They are broker they dont do anything . These guys just do the tie up with local treakking group who are responcible for all the activitites. They tie up with cheaper treakking group and they provide worst quality of food, worst tent, worst and dirty sleeping bags .

  • Rated : 5

    'The experience with The Great Next was amazing, start from the planning part to the last day of the trek. The spokesperson was easily accessible and was more than happy to answer any question.. All the do's and dont's were clearly explained right before the trek.. Everything was well arranged , supportive local staff , beautiful memories! It was just perfect..!! A trek to be remember always. Kudos to The Great next for the well-arranged trek. Looking forward for my trek with The Great Next.'

  • Rated : 5

    We've 5 day for frozen river trek.its a great experience. With good team and good take care from the staff make this trip is memorable journey for me.( 5star for food, tents and sleeping bags��.)

  • Rated : 5

    'Wonderful !!! shout-out to my man Mr. Venkat for arranging the best trekking experience..'

  • Rated : 5

    'Honestly the experience was quite amazing and totally satisfied. Provided with premium quality of services and very responsive to the queries. It was my first time Manali trek with TGN and it was really a memorable experience for me. The quality of food, tents and all the amenities were quite satisfactory. Venkat, frankly speaking you're very responsive.. thank you Venkat for your support.. thank you TheGreatNext'

  • Rated : 5

    TGN has a very sophisticated and concise web page along with many optional details and information. This is one of the few sites that provides information about the operator. All the operators they recommend are safe, well-trained and reliable. They are easily accessible and offer reasonable deals. I've booked a trekking and river rafting trip with them already, and it was a very good experience. I'll always choose The Great Next to plan my adventure trips.

  • Rated : 5

    'The Great next is a great platform to discover, explore and book some of the best trails and treks nature has to offer! Although our trek group was managed by the amazing 'Renok adventures' , it was the great next that put us through to them. Thank you !'

  • Rated : 5

    'When I bored of daily routines and surfing for some exciting trips or outings, I came across this website. I gave them my contact details and soon I got a prompt call from Mr.Raul from TGN. From then to till end of the trek they guided. coordination is appreciable. And trip was amazing with crazy trekmates and trek leads. It was one of my best well spent weekend. I would love to suggest TGN to you too...'

  • Rated : 5

    The amazing team at The Great Next helped organise a trek to Hampta pass for me and my friends. Our experience during the trek was really good. I would definitely recommend TGN to everyone looking for an adventure filled trip in the Himalayas.