Skiing In Gulmarg | Cost, Best Time & Tips

Your dream of a perfect skiing adventure comes true right here in Gulmarg. As a world-renowned winter destination, this hill station is a paradise for thrill-seekers. This winter, check skiing in Gulmarg off your bucket list by choosing the right package.

Whether you're a beginner or an occasional skier, you can find the right Gulmarg skiing packages with various options like accommodation, meals, training, equipment rental, and instructors. If you're looking for a quick getaway to the adventure world of Gulmarg, there are short skiing packages available.

For a longer trip that includes both training and skiing, plan for about 7 days. You can try different types of skiing, such as intermediate level, heli-skiing, and backcountry skiing. It's important to choose the one that matches your skill level, budget, and preferences.

Be sure to carefully review the inclusions and exclusions of these packages before making a decision. Here's a list of different Gulmarg skiing packages you can explore:

Popular Skiing Packages to Choose: 

Week-long Skiing trip ( 7 days/6 nights) 

The most popular and frequently chosen among the skiing packages is the week-long skiing trip. It's a great option for beginners because it gives you plenty of time to learn the basics and techniques of the sport and then practice on the slopes. The first day begins with your arrival in Srinagar and a scenic drive to Gulmarg. For airport transfers and intercity rides, you can book taxis through Kashmir Taxi Service.

The route on the National Highway offers various sightseeing spots like Drung Waterfall and Tangmarg town. The first day is set aside for the drive and acclimatization before you visit the slopes. The next day, you start with the basics of skiing, such as handling the gear and learning how to balance on your skis.

In this package, 5 days are dedicated to training, where you learn snowplough, which is the technique for stopping your skis, and snow parallels, which means turning your skis left and right.

Once you have completed the basic and intermediate training, you're ready to hit the slopes. Your last day in Gulmarg will be spent practicing what you've learned and enjoying an adventurous experience on the snow slopes of Kongdoori and Khilanmarg.

Inclusions: 

• Nights Accommodation. 5 Days Training – 9am to 4pm.

• Food - Breakfast and Dinner 

• Qualified and Certified Ski Instructors. 

• One Ski instructor with minimum 2 and maximum 3 people. 

• Ski Equipment- Ski Shoes, Ski Poles, Ski Pair. 

Exclusions:

• Insurance.

• Personal expenses 

• Transportation in & around Gulmarg 

• Ski lifts and Gondola charges 

• GST

Skiing for One Day

Package of skiing for just one day gives you an easy and affordable chance to hit some runs on the snow slopes. This way, you don't have to learn any skills or enrol in any course and you can have a thrilling experience as well. It is an ideal offer if you are in Gulmarg with your friends and family for sightseeing purposes and also wish to try out skiing. 

In this, you are offered a one day assistance on the snow slopes where local skilled instructors help you in any way. Other facilities like accommodation and transportation needed to be taken care of beforehand. Only the skiing experience with accessibility of equipment rental is included. 

 Enjoy an entire day on the smooth slopes with excellent snow quality and take back loads of memories. 

Inclusions:

• Qualified and Certified Ski Instructors. 

• One Ski instructor with minimum 2 and maximum 3 people. 

• Ski Equipment- Ski Shoes, Ski Poles, Ski Pair. 

Exclusions:

• Insurance.

• Personal expenses 

• Transportation in & around Gulmarg 

• Ski lifts and Gondola charges 

• GST

Gulmarg Backcountry skiing 

Gulmarg is one of India's alpine hill stations where you can enjoy backcountry skiing. This type of skiing is quite different from regular skiing, as thrill-seekers explore the wild, ungroomed, and unpatrolled areas of Gulmarg. Only seasoned and experienced skiers are advised to try backcountry skiing, as it requires advanced skills and techniques.

Gulmarg offers a vast uncontrolled area for backcountry skiing, making it a popular choice for enthusiasts. This adventure begins at the Gondola Top. The Gulmarg Gondola features a massive drop of about 1500 meters, perfect for a thrilling downhill slide in the ungroomed area.

While the area under the Gondola Bowl is managed, the rest is open for backcountry skiing. There are so many trails that you won't risk repeating any. The next skiing destination is the Gondola mid-station, about 400 meters from the base, offering a long, uninterrupted run of about 10 to 15 kilometers.

We glide downhill to the Drang Valley and visit Drang village, known as a roadless village. You'll see villagers watching and smiling in anticipation. Other great spots for backcountry skiing in Gulmarg include Baba Reshi Shrine and Monkey Hill. When in Gulmarg for backcountry skiing, be sure to rent the appropriate gear, including avalanche safety equipment.

Short Skiing trip (5 days/ 4 nights). 

If you're looking for a shorter trip than the one-week course, a 5-day/4-night skiing package is the perfect choice. It's another beginner-friendly option where you're taught from the basics. Even if it's your first time skiing in Gulmarg, you'll definitely learn.

The courses are designed to include all the basic and intermediate lessons, so by the end, you'll be able to ski on the snow slopes with confidence.

The exciting skiing trip begins when you arrive in the capital city and drive to Gulmarg, a journey of about 2 hours covering 50 kilometers. From the second day, you're introduced to the gear like skis, poles, and boots, and taught how to use them. The first lesson is about controlling the skis on the slippery slopes.

Important techniques you learn here include the snowplough, where you're taught how to stop on skis. Parallel turns are another intermediate technique for turning your skis left and right, which you'll practice during the course.

Once you're familiar with all the safety tips and can ski at a beginner's level, it's time to hit the slopes in Gulmarg. Some ideal slopes for newcomers in Gulmarg include Baba Reshi Shrine, Gulmarg Golf Course, Khilanmarg, and Kongdoori.

Inclusions : 

• 4 Nights Accommodation. 3 Days Training – 9am to 4pm.

• Food - Breakfast and Dinner 

• Qualified and Certified Ski Instructors. 

• One Ski instructor with minimum 2 and maximum 3 people. 

• Ski Equipment- Ski Shoes, Ski Poles, Ski Pair. 

Exclusions:

• Insurance.

• Personal expenses 

• Transportation in & around Gulmarg 

• Ski lifts and Gondola charges 

• GST

Cost of Gulmarg skiing: 

A complete week trip for skiing in Gulmarg will cost INR 33,250 per person. There will be 5 days of skiing and you'll stay in Gulmarg for 6 nights. If you are looking for a shorter trip, then a fun 5 days skiing trip is under INR 22, 250 per person. It included 3 days skiing and 4 nights stay in Gulmarg. Backcountry skiing is for about INR 60,0000 per person. 

Lastly, one day skiing in Gulmarg is for only INR 4,500 per person and this is the most affordable price that you can get. 

Best time to visit Gulmarg for skiing 

The winter season, from December to March, is the best time to visit Kashmir for snowfall and skiing. During this period, temperatures range from 0°C to -5°C, and Gulmarg experiences heavy snowfall.

This large amount of powdery snow creates slopes that are 5-10 feet high. The groomed trails are perfect for beginners and intermediate skiers, while the ungroomed slopes attract adventure seekers from around the world for heli-skiing and backcountry skiing.

If you're visiting in winter, be sure to plan ahead by booking accommodation and transportation, like taxis, in advance. Also, get ski passes and Gondola passes online. When booking resorts in Gulmarg, check on the heating arrangements in the rooms. Wear warm clothes to stay safe. 

Tips and precautions to keep in mind: 

1. Before visiting the alpine regions of Gulmarg, it is crucial to acclimatise properly to avoid high-altitude sickness and be ill-free. 

2. If you are planning a long skiing trip, rent gears all together for multiple days as it helps to get you some discounts and lower rates. 

3. Remain updates about the weather conditions and potential avalanche news to remain safe. 

4. When visiting the slopes, don't forget to carry essentials like snacks, water bottle, a first aid box, ski passes, ID proofs. 

Conclusion:

Lastly, don't forget to enjoy skiing in Gulmarg. This is one such experience that people always long to have. Make sure you make the best out of the town. Have a fantastic trip!