Destination guide
Gulmarg: what to do, when to go and how to get there
Gulmarg in one page: the Gondola, Kongdori, Alpather Lake, the golf course, weather by season, road time from Srinagar, taxi fares and what’s closed.
Gulmarg is a hill resort in the Pir Panjal range of Baramulla district, about 2,650 m above sea level. The Ministry of Tourism’s Incredible India knows it for three things: the Gulmarg Gondola, skiing in winter and flower meadows in summer. From Srinagar the drive takes an estimated 1½ to 2¼ hours.
In this guide6 sections
At a glance
- Altitude
- About 2,650 m, the height of its golf course
- Road time from Srinagar
- 1½–2¼ hours Go Kashmir app estimate, 22 Oct 2026
- Taxi from Srinagar
- About ₹2,600 one way, ₹2,975 return one operator’s 2026–27 list
- January
- 0.7°C by day, −7.7°C at night
- July
- 21.1°C by day, 12.0°C at night
- Closed nearby
- Babareshi, to tourists, until 31 Dec 2026
Things to do in Gulmarg
Ride the Gulmarg Gondola
The Gondola runs in two phases. Phase 1 climbs from Gulmarg to Kongdori in about six minutes and Phase 2 continues towards Apharwat Peak in about twelve, Curly Tales reported on 26 June 2026. Incredible India calls it “the second-highest cable car ride in the world”. Prices, booking and this year’s closures are in the Gulmarg Gondola guide.
Photo: Vinayaraj, CC BY-SA 3.0 Kongdori and Apharwat
Kongdori, the Phase 1 station, sits at about 3,100 m, according to JKTDC, the Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (it gives 3,099.6 m). Phase 2 climbs to about 3,980 m below Apharwat Peak.
Photo: Arup1981, CC BY-SA 4.0 Alpather Lake
Alpather (also spelt Alpathar) lies at about 4,200 m at the foot of the Apharwat peaks. It freezes in winter, which earned it the nickname “The Frozen Lake”, says Incredible India. It is far above the town, so ask locally about access and conditions before you set out.
Khilanmarg
A valley “just 4 km from Gulmarg’s bus stop”, in Incredible India’s words.
Gulmarg Golf Course
At 2,650 m, Incredible India describes it as “the highest green course in the entire world”.
St Mary’s Church
A Victorian-era church of grey stone near the golf course, “standing tall for over a century”, according to Incredible India.
Maharani Temple
Incredible India describes it as a temple to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on a small hillock above the meadow.
Photo: Vinayaraj, CC BY-SA 4.0 Drung waterfall
Near Tangmarg, on the road up to Gulmarg. Incredible India lists it among the sights nearby.
Gulmarg by season
Winter
December–February
The coldest months. Average highs are 4.6°C in December, 0.7°C in January and 1.8°C in February, with nights between −4.8°C and −7.7°C. This is ski season and the time for snow, though snowfall varies from year to year.
Spring
March–May
Gulmarg’s wettest months: March averages 215.6 mm of rain and snow, measured as water. Highs climb from 5.4°C in March to 15.6°C in May.
Summer
June–August
The warmest months, with highs of 19.3–21.1°C and nights of 9.4–12.0°C. Incredible India describes meadows of wildflowers in summer.
Autumn
September–November
The driest months: October averages 47.7 mm. Highs fall from 18.5°C to 9.0°C, and by November nights drop below freezing on average.
These are 1991–2020 averages for the India Meteorological Department’s Gulmarg station (42026), from the WMO climate normals. Every month for Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam is in Kashmir weather month by month; snow reports and the ski season are in Gulmarg weather.
WMO Climate Normals 1991–2020, station 42026 Gulmarg. Warmest days: July, 21.1°C. Coldest nights: January, −7.7°C.
Getting to Gulmarg
- By road: an estimated 1½–2¼ hours from Srinagar, according to the Go Kashmir app as of 22 October 2026. Snow and traffic can add a lot in winter.
- By taxi: about ₹2,600 one way or ₹2,975 return from Srinagar on one operator’s 2026–27 rate list. Fares vary, so compare them in Srinagar taxi fares.
- In winter: the same operator notes that taxis may only reach Tangmarg, not Gulmarg itself. Ask your driver before you book.
- By air: the nearest airport is Srinagar International Airport.
A day in Gulmarg from Srinagar
- Leave Srinagar early. The drive is an estimated 1½–2¼ hours.
- Ride Gondola Phase 1 to Kongdori, and Phase 2 if it is running and you have a ticket. Book ahead on the official site.
- Spend the afternoon around the meadow: the golf course, St Mary’s Church and the Maharani Temple.
- Check the day’s weather and the Gondola’s status before you leave, and allow time to drive back before dark.
Skiing and ski courses in Gulmarg
The Gondola doubles as a ski lift: JKTDC describes Gulmarg’s ski area as “the gondola terrain, lower tree skiing areas and the poma terrain in the town”. The Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation started online ski-pass booking with QR codes in January 2026, Kashmir Life reported. Gondola fares and booking are in the Gulmarg Gondola guide.
The clearest season dates come from the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM), set up at Gulmarg by the Ministry of Tourism in 1968. Its 2026–27 schedule has six 14-day batches of ski courses between 20 December 2026 and 13 March 2027.
- Booking: online on IISM’s admission site from 10:00 on 12 November 2026, first come, first served. The fee is paid online and is non-refundable.
- Fees: ₹10,000 up to age 25 and ₹20,000 above 25, covering boarding, lodging, training and ski equipment, according to IISM’s schedule and admission page, read 23 October 2026.
- Who can join: ages 10 to 40. Intermediate and advanced courses need a certificate and grade from an earlier course, and trainees must hand in a recent medical fitness certificate when they report.
Snow comes on no fixed date, so check the snow reports in Gulmarg weather before you book.
Gulmarg questions
What is Gulmarg famous for?
The Gulmarg Gondola, skiing and winter sports, and its summer meadows, according to Incredible India.
Is Gulmarg open now?
Gulmarg itself is not on the July 2026 closure list; Babareshi nearby is. The Gondola closed after a malfunction on 25 May 2026 and reopened in late June, so check its status on the day.
How cold is Gulmarg in January?
On 1991–2020 averages, January days reach 0.7°C and nights fall to −7.7°C.
Is Gulmarg better than Pahalgam or Sonamarg?
It depends on what you want from the trip. Gulmarg vs Pahalgam vs Sonamarg compares them on road time, taxi fares, weather and what each is known for.
Sources
- Ministry of Tourism, Incredible India: Gulmarg. Read 22 Oct 2026.
- WMO Climate Normals 1991–2020, station 42026 Gulmarg, published by NOAA NCEI.
- Curly Tales, Gondola reopening, timings and ticket cost, 26 Jun 2026.
- Kashmir Observer, Gondola safety probe after the May malfunction, 1 Oct 2026.
- The Wire, tourist destinations shut under the July 2026 orders, 15 Jul 2026.
- Vargis Khan, Srinagar taxi rate list 2026–27. Read 22 Oct 2026.
- Go Kashmir app, estimated road time from Srinagar, 22 Oct 2026.
- JKTDC, Gulmarg and Apharwat information page. Read 23 Oct 2026.
- IISM Gulmarg, home page (founding), 2026–27 course schedule, admission and fees and online admission instructions. Read 23 Oct 2026.
- Kashmir Life, QR-based ski pass booking launched at Gulmarg, 31 Jan 2026.
We write from published sources and do not claim personal visits. How we check facts.
Read next
Keep planning
Weather & seasonsGulmarg weather: snow, cold and the ski season, month by monthJanuary nights of −7.7°C, twice Srinagar’s rain and snow, and ski courses from 20 December.Fares & ticketsGulmarg Gondola: ticket prices, phases and bookingBoth phases, 2026 fares as reported, official and Tatkal booking.PlanningGulmarg, Pahalgam or Sonamarg: which should you visit?Road time, fares, weather and closures, side by side.
