The Ultimate Gulmarg Ski Adventure: Detours and Deep Pow

This article is your ultimate guide to an epic Gulmarg ski adventure. From travel tips and laugh-out-loud travel mishaps to navigating the breathtaking terrain and après-ski activities, we’ll guide you through this off-the-beaten path adventure. Whether you’re hunting for deep powder or a unique cultural experience, this destination guide makes sure you get the most out of your Gulmarg trip. Dive into recommendations for top-notch accommodations, savor delicious Kashmiri cuisine, and get essential pro tips for first-timers. Get ready for an unforgettable ride in Gulmarg!

Check out our Gulmarg Custom Ski/Snowboard Adventure Trip in 2025!

Dropping in

If you’re chasing that pure, untouched powder high, let me lead you to Kashmir for the ultimate Gulmarg ski experience. Nestled in the mighty Himalayas, this place is an absolute gem for adventurous skiers. I’m talking about massive verticals, deep pow, and a cultural vibe that’ll blow your mind. Listed as one of my Top 10 Freeride Resorts on the planet, my trip to Gulmarg was a spicy ride from start to finish.

Detours and Delays: The Spicy Route to Snow Nirvana

Living in Hong Kong at the time, I embarked on this epic journey with a flight on SpiceJet. You know SpiceJet – “Red. Hot. Spicy.” Well, it sure lived up to its slogan! We were ready to fly over Delhi to Srinagar when we were told about an “unplanned” stop in Calcutta. Surprise! This little detour made us miss our connecting flight in Delhi. So, there we were, unexpectedly spending a night in Delhi and catching a flight the next day over Jammu to Srinagar. Talk about a spicy start!

The best part? We met someone in Gulmarg who flew in a day later and had the exact same “unplanned” stop. Yeah, unplanned alright! For sure, refueling in Calcutta was cheaper than in Hong Kong. If you want a little less spice, you might want to fly Air India or GoAir.

Find the best flight deals / cheap flights to Gulmarg here.

Boot Parade at Delhi Airport

I always carry my ski boots with me on flights, paranoid that my gear could get lost in transit. Dealing with rental skis is okay, but rental boots are a pain in the neck… or rather, in the foot! I convinced everyone else in my group to carry their boots, as well. So there we were, wandering around Delhi airport with our ski boots slung over our shoulders. It felt like every fifth person stopped us to ask what kind of boots we were carrying. The guesses ranged from flying boots to medicinal boots. One guy even thought we were astronauts preparing for a moon landing!

Communication: Get a Local SIM Card

Please keep in mind that Kashmir is a developing region. Guides typically do not use radios, so we strongly recommend using your mobile phone to communicate with your guide and riding companions. It is crucial to stay in touch in case someone gets lost or separated from the group.

You can obtain a local Indian SIM card at the airports, or if you have an eSIM, we strongly suggest ordering Yesim’s India package before you fly.

The quality of mobile and data coverage in Kashmir is typically good, although there were restrictions on internet access during our visit due to political unrest.

English is widely spoken in Kashmir, so from a communication standpoint, there shouldn’t be any issues.

The Best Time to Visit Gulmarg For Skiing

The best time to hit the slopes in Gulmarg for skiing is from January to March, with the highest historical snowfall occurring during this period. If you’re aiming for peak powder conditions, plan your trip for the first two weeks of February. During these months, Gulmarg transforms into a winter wonderland, offering pristine snow and perfect skiing conditions that attract enthusiasts from around the globe.

Where to Stay in Gulmarg

We crashed at The Rosewood Hotel, which was a solid bang for your buck. Modern digs, squeaky clean, totally worth it. But hey, it wasn’t the only game in town. We were pretty stoked by the smorgasbord of options available. Before we dive into this buffet of choices, here’s a little heads-up.

Lesson numero uno about crashing at a hotel in Kashmir: always speak up if something feels sketch. Our first few days, we were getting the full ice bath treatment in the shower. We just assumed, “Hey, that’s the vibe in a developing country, right?” and took it like champs. Our buddy, with a smirk, goes, “It’s all about building character, dudes.”

Fast forward a few days, and we find out this buddy of ours had already cracked the code. Turns out, you gotta hit up the reception desk to flip the switch for hot water before you hop in. Did she clue us in? Nope, not until we pried it out of her. Guess she was really committed to our character-building boot camp!

They’re prime spots for kicking back after shredding the slopes all day. Check out our crew’s handpicked faves, sorted by category:

5-Star Hotels

The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa

• Distance to the gondola: 0.5 km
• Amenities: Heated swimming pool, full-service spa, fitness center, on-site dining (CLOVES), free WiFi, airport shuttle, facilities for disabled guests.
• Features: Luxurious rooms with Himalayan views, excellent service, proximity to Gulmarg Gondola, diverse international cuisine.

4-Star Hotels

The Vintage Gulmarg

• Distance to the gondola: 0.6 km
• Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, on-site restaurant, and 24-hour room service.
• Features: Modern rooms with heating, tea/coffee makers, and scenic views.

3/3.5-Star Hotels

Shaw Inn by Stay Pattern

• Distance to the gondola: 0.7 km
• Amenities: Ski-to-door access, ski pass sales point, kids’ club, room service, and restaurant.
• Features: Comfortable rooms, good service, and convenient location for skiing.

Pandith Exotics Hotel And Restaurant

• Distance to the gondola: 0.8 km
• Amenities: Free WiFi, free private parking, and a garden.
• Features: Exceptional service, clean and well-maintained rooms.

Gulmarg Woods By Stay Pattern

• Distance to the gondola: 0.9 km
• Amenities: Garden, free WiFi, and free private parking.
• Features: Scenic location, well-maintained rooms, and good service.

Hotel Gulmarg Residency, Kunzer Gulmarg

• Distance to the gondola: 1.0 km
• Amenities: Free bikes, free private parking, garden, and restaurant.
• Features: Cozy rooms with modern amenities and proximity to Shankaracharya Mandir.

Internet Blues and Lift Guy Clues: The Timing Game

Our ski trip to Gulmarg coincided with the onset of Covid in Hong Kong and political upheaval in Kashmir. People thought we were crazy to go. The internet was blocked most of the time, and there were soldiers everywhere. Despite this, it felt completely safe. Since many tourists chose to stay at home, we were one of the very few guests and therefore had the whole mountain practically to ourselves.

However, the internet issues caused a few hiccups. On the first day, we waited 1.5 hours in front of the ticket booth, even though there were only four people ahead of us. The reason? The internet was so slow and unreliable that they couldn’t print the tickets. The next day, they just handed us handwritten paper tickets instead, and we bought them for the whole week to avoid the line.

Speaking of timing, you could never tell when the lift guy would show up to start the gondola. Some days he’d be there at 9, other days at 10 or even later. We just had to hang around the gondola, hoping he’d turn up sooner rather than later.

The Gulmarg Ski Terrain: A Freeskier’s Dream

Gulmarg’s off-piste terrain is the stuff of legend. The Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest cable cars in the world, whisks you up to 3,980 meters. From there, you can take a short hike up to around 4,300 meters. The views on the way up are straight out of a dream—Kashmir Valley on one side, the Himalayas on the other.

At the top, the possibilities are endless. Advanced skiers, this is your playground. From the “shark fin” on Mt. Apharwat’s backside to the dry, deep pow of the “Far Far Side,” the lines are gnarly. Wide-open bowls, steep chutes, and tree runs—you name it, Gulmarg’s got it.

But it’s not just for the pros. The terrain is also suitable for off-piste newbies. There’s a groomed slope with mellow off-piste runs beside it, perfect for those looking to get used to ungroomed areas. It’s a great spot to build confidence before tackling the more challenging lines.

Some of the rides required a long hike out, but at the end of the trail, cars were waiting to whisk us back into town.

Safety Tips for Your Gulmarg Adventure

For those gearing up for their first Gulmarg adventure, here are some clutch tips:

• Plan Ahead: Book your flights and accommodations early, especially during peak season.
• Hire a Guide: Let’s get real— if you ski in Gulmarg you don’t want to mess with avalanche risks. Riding with a guide isn’t just recommended; it’s essential. The local guides know this terrain inside out. They’ll keep you safe, teach you about avalanche safety, and show you the best lines. Contact us, we can connect you with the most reliable guides for an unforgettable and safe adventure.
• Get Emergency Evacuation Insurance Coverage: Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers skiing and emergency evacuation. We recommend insurance that covers incidents also with non-certified guides, as not all guides in Gulmarg have internationally accepted certificates.
• Get a Local SIM Card: As already mentioned above, get a local Indian SIM card for smooth communication on the slopes. You can get them at the airport, or if you have eSIM, we recommend ordering Yesim’s India Package before you fly.

Gear Up with a Champion’s Touch

For ski rentals, I hit up the Rental Shop in Gulmarg run by Mohammad Abdullah. His son, Arif Khan, is a local legend who competed in the Winter Olympics for India. Abdullah’s shop had a decent selection of skis and snowboards, a variety of sizes to choose from. While the quality might not match what you’d find in the developed world, the shop still provided everything necessary to tackle the mountain, including avalanche gear.

Kashmiri Food Delight

Gulmarg isn’t just about skiing; it’s also a culinary adventure. Kashmiri cuisine is a feast for the senses.

Below, you’ll find a few choices our community particularly loves. They’re perfect for enjoying a delicious meal after a day of adventure.

• Highlands Park Restaurant: Near Church Road, offering Continental, Chinese, Mughlai, and Kashmiri cuisine.
• Pine Palace Restaurant: Near Gondola Base Station, serving Indian, Mughlai, and Kashmiri dishes.
• The Vintage Gulmarg: Located on Circular Road, famous for its Indian and Mughlai cuisine.
• Hillpoint: Main Market, specializing in Indian and Mughlai flavors.
• Big Bite Fast Food: At Hotel Hilltop, offering a mix of Indian, Mughlai, Continental, and Kashmiri dishes.

Don’t miss out on trying Wazwan, a traditional multi-course meal featuring a variety of meat dishes and aromatic rice. It’s a culinary experience you won’t forget.

Biohazard Chic and Houseboat Adventures in Srinagar

Since Covid had just broken out in Hong Kong, we heard that all masks back home were sold out. So, when we spent that one night in Srinagar on a houseboat, we asked our guide to take us to a pharmacy where we bought a stash of N95 masks – you know, the kind with the little plastic nozzle in front. We looked like extras in a pandemic horror movie, with those valved masks making us appear ready for a biohazard scenario. We were lucky to get them since Covid hadn’t quite arrived in Kashmir yet.

Speaking of the houseboat, it was an interesting experience – freezing cold when the coal burned out in our room, despite five layers of blankets. Don’t even think about taking a shower unless you are the kind of person who is into ice baths! But the real adventure was our boat ride on Dal Lake. We saw everything from breathtaking mountain sceneries to, well, dead dogs floating in the water. It was like nature’s way of keeping us on our toes – one moment, you’re in awe of the majestic mountains, and the next, you’re questioning your life choices.

Pro Tips for First-Timers

For those gearing up for their first Gulmarg adventure, here are some clutch tips:

• Prep Like a Pro: Book your flights and digs ahead of time. Pack for cold weather and bring layers, a solid ski jacket, gloves, and goggles.
• Insurance: Make sure you’re covered with comprehensive travel insurance that includes skiing and medical evac. You don’t want to be stuck in a Kashmiri hospital.
• Getting Around: Shared taxis are the way to go from Srinagar to Gulmarg. Once you’re there, everything’s pretty accessible by foot or short taxi rides. Or, for a truly unique experience, you can rent a guy to pull you on a sledge—how’s that for style?
• Gear Up: You can rent most gear in Gulmarg (as mentioned above), but bringing your own boots is a smart move for that perfect fit.

Wrapping it Up: The Gulmarg Ski Adventure

Gulmarg isn’t just another ski destination; it’s a full-throttle adventure. The gnarly terrain, deep powder, and rich culture make it a one-of-a-kind experience. Whether you’re a seasoned shredder or a newbie looking to step up your game, Gulmarg’s got something for you. Pack your bags, gear up, and get ready to ride the wildest lines of your life in the heart of the Himalayas.

Share in the comments which freeriding spots you’d like to see featured in a detailed Destination Guide, and we’ll do our best to include them in future posts! 👇