Plan your trip · Gulmarg
Best time to visit Gulmarg
Gulmarg has two peak seasons that look nothing alike. Choose snow or summer meadow first, then pick your month.
❄️ Winter
RecommendedOct – Mar
Cold, with snow on the higher ground and some high passes and roads closed — beautiful, but pack and plan for it.
Pack: heavy insulated layers, gloves, a warm hat and waterproof boots.
Shines now: Apharwat Peak
Plan a winter day →☀️ Summer
RecommendedApr – Jun
The prime window — comfortable days and the higher roads open again, though pre-monsoon haze can hide the far peaks by May and June.
Pack: light layers by day and a warm jacket for cool evenings and altitude.
Shines now: Apharwat Peak
Plan a summer day →🌧️ Monsoon
RecommendedJul – Sep
Warm days and the valley's busiest months — the monsoon reaches Kashmir only weakly, with occasional showers and afternoon thunderstorms; mornings and the higher valleys stay cool.
Pack: light layers by day, a warm jacket for evenings and higher valleys, and a light rain shell.
Plan a monsoon day →Winter: December to March
This is snow season, when Gulmarg becomes a ski resort. The first reliable snow often arrives in December, and January and February usually bring the deepest cover. Skiing typically runs into March. Days are sunny between storms, but nights are well below freezing. Heavy snowfall can close the road from Tangmarg for hours, and the second phase of the gondola often stops for wind or avalanche control. Build a spare day into winter plans.
Spring: April to May
Spring is a mixed season. Snow melts from the meadow through April, leaving it brown and wet for a while before it turns green. The upper slopes of Apharwat Peak still hold snow, so this is a good time for visitors who want to touch snow without the full winter cold. Weather is changeable and rain is common.
Summer: June to September
The Gulmarg Meadow is at its greenest, wildflowers come out in June and July, and the golf course is open. Days are mild and nights cool. This is the busiest season for families and for day-trippers from Srinagar, so book gondola tickets well ahead. Short rain showers come through, but Gulmarg does not get the long monsoon of the plains.
Autumn: October to November
Autumn is clear and quiet, with crisp mornings and good visibility. The meadow turns golden and the forest thins. It gets cold quickly in November, and the first snow can arrive by the end of the month. This is a good window for walking to Khilanmarg and for photography.
So when should you go?
For skiing and deep snow, go from January to early March. For green meadows and pleasant walks, go from late June to August. For quiet, clear days, go in October. Whenever you go, check the gondola's operating status and book online before you drive up. See what's on in Gulmarg for events.
Questions
Gulmarg — FAQ
When does Gulmarg get snow?
Usually from December, with the deepest cover in January and February. The upper slopes can hold snow into May or June.
Is Gulmarg good in April?
It is a transition month. The meadow is muddy and patchy as snow melts, but the gondola top may still have snow.
When is the Gulmarg golf course open?
In the summer season, roughly May to October, depending on the snow.
Is October a good month for Gulmarg?
Yes, for clear skies, golden grass and fewer visitors. Nights are cold, and there is no snow yet in most years.