Quick Answer
Gulmarg skiing cost per person: gondola ski pass ₹1,200-1,500/day, gear ₹500-1,200/day, instructor, IISM course ₹10,000-20,000. Ski packages, best time & how to book.
Gulmarg is India's biggest ski resort and one of the best-known powder destinations in Asia. The Gulmarg Gondola lifts skiers from the meadow at about 2,650 m to Kongdori (Phase 1) and on to the Apharwat station near 3,980 m (Phase 2), with gentle nursery slopes at the bottom and long open bowls at the top. The season runs from roughly mid-December to mid-March.
Quick answer: Gulmarg skiing price per person
For an Indian skier in the 2025-26 season, a day of skiing in Gulmarg costs roughly ₹2,500-4,500 per person: gondola ski pass ₹1,200 (Phase 1) or ₹1,500 (Phase 2), ski gear ₹500-1,200, plus ₹800-1,200 for a half-day group lesson or ₹3,000-4,000 for a private instructor. A 14-day IISM ski course costs ₹10,000 (age up to 25) or ₹20,000 (above 25) including stay, meals and equipment. Add your Gulmarg hotel and travel.
Via Kashmir is a Srinagar-based travel company. We build Gulmarg ski trips around your level and dates - stay, airport transfers, gear, instructors and gondola passes - and confirm every price in writing before you pay. This page sets out the real costs so you can budget before you ask us.
Watch: a ski lesson in Gulmarg
Real clips from a beginner ski lesson on the Gulmarg slopes: the instructor briefing, first snowplough turns and first runs beside the lift.
Gulmarg skiing price per person (2025-26 rates)
These are the per-person costs every skier pays in Gulmarg, at last season's published or typical market rates. Gondola rates are set by the Jammu & Kashmir Cable Car Corporation and change from season to season - always check the official JKCCC booking portal before you travel.
What skiing in Gulmarg costs per person
| Item | Indian skier | Foreign skier | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gondola Phase 1 full-day ski pass | ₹1,200 | ₹1,600 | Beginner and intermediate terrain around Kongdori |
| Gondola Phase 2 full-day ski pass | ₹1,500 | ₹2,500 | High bowls and off-piste from Apharwat |
| Gondola weekly ski pass | ₹7,500 | ₹12,500 | Worth it for 5+ ski days |
| Ski set (skis, boots, poles) rental | ₹500-1,200/day | same | Helmet about ₹100-150 extra |
| Snowboard and boots rental | ₹700-1,000/day | same | Check boot fit before you pay |
| Group lesson (ski school) | ₹800-1,200/half day | same | Best value for first-timers |
| Private certified instructor | ₹1,500-2,500 for 2 h; ₹3,000-4,000/day | same | Faster progress, flexible times |
| IISM 14-day ski course | ₹10,000 (up to 25) / ₹20,000 (above 25) | contact IISM | Includes stay, meals, training and gear |
Sightseeing tickets are not ski passes
The tourist return tickets (about ₹800 for Phase 1 and ₹1,000 for Phase 2) are for sightseeing rides. Skiers need the full-day or weekly ski pass, which allows repeated rides all day.
Gulmarg skiing package cost: sample budgets
A ski package adds your Gulmarg stay, meals and transfers to the costs above. These sample budgets are per person for two people sharing a room, using mid-range hotels, Phase 1 passes and group lessons. Your quote changes with dates (Christmas-New Year and February weekends are the most expensive), hotel category and whether you want private coaching.
Sample Gulmarg ski trip budgets (per person, twin sharing)
| Trip | Ski days | Typical budget | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend taster | 2 | ₹14,000-20,000 | 3 nights Gulmarg hotel with meals, airport transfers, 2-day pass, gear, 2 group lessons |
| Learn-to-ski week | 5 | ₹30,000-45,000 | 6 nights, weekly pass, gear, daily lessons, transfers |
| Intermediate / powder week | 5-6 | ₹45,000-75,000 | 6-7 nights, Phase 2 passes, private instructor or guide days |
Our ski package: 5 ski days with a private coach
The Gulmarg Skiing Package with Private Coach (6N/7D, first row in the table below) is built purely for skiing: 6 nights with breakfast and dinner, your own certified coach for 5 full ski days, skis, boots, poles, helmet and goggles, gondola ski passes (4 days Phase 1 plus a Phase 2 day), a daily car to the slopes and airport transfers - ₹45,000 per person for 2 sharing, GST included.
Flights or trains to Srinagar are extra. If you would rather combine skiing with sightseeing, our winter packages below already include Gulmarg, a Dal Lake houseboat and private transfers, and we can add ski days, gear and lessons to any of them.
Via Kashmir ski and winter packages
| Package | Duration | From (per person) |
|---|---|---|
| Gulmarg Skiing Package with Private Coach (5 ski days) | 7 days | ₹45,000 |
| Winter Wonderland Kashmir - Snow & Serenity (includes 1 day ski gear rental) | 5 days | ₹24,999 |
| Winter Special Kashmir Package | 5 days | ₹17,399 |
| Winter Special Kashmir Package | 6 days | ₹20,599 |
| Winter Special Kashmir Package | 7 days | ₹23,599 |
| Solo Winter Kashmir | 5 days | ₹25,699 |
Best time for skiing in Gulmarg
The ski season usually opens in mid to late December, once the first big snowfalls build a base, and runs to early or mid-March. January and February are the most reliable months for deep snow and cold, dry powder.
Gulmarg ski season month by month
| When | Snow | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-late December | Building; depends on early storms | Holiday trips, nursery slopes; book early for Christmas-New Year |
| January | Coldest, deepest powder | Powder days on Apharwat; ski courses in full swing |
| February | Most reliable cover | All levels; the best all-round month |
| Early-mid March | Softer spring snow, longer days | Relaxed skiing, lower hotel rates |
Heavy snowfall can close the Tangmarg-Gulmarg road or the gondola for a day, so keep a buffer day in your plan. Phase 2 opens only when avalanche control allows.
Ski courses and lessons in Gulmarg
You can learn in three ways: the government-run Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM) 14-day course, the J&K ski school's group lessons, or a private certified instructor. Beginners usually manage turns on the nursery slopes within 2-3 days of lessons.
- IISM 14-day course: ₹10,000 (up to 25) or ₹20,000 (above 25), stay, meals and gear included; batches run December to March.
- Group lessons: about ₹800-1,200 per half-day session, sociable and cheap.
- Private instructor: about ₹3,000-4,000 a day; the fastest way to progress.
Full details, batch dates and how to apply are on our guide to the skiing course in Gulmarg.
Gulmarg snowboarding packages
Gulmarg is just as good for snowboarding. Boards and boots rent for about ₹700-1,000 a day, instructors teach snowboarding on the same nursery slopes, and the Phase 2 bowls are a favourite with experienced riders. Any of our ski packages can be built as a snowboarding package instead - tell us your level when you enquire.
Gulmarg skiing packages from Mumbai, Delhi and other cities
Every route goes through Srinagar (SXR), 50 km (about 1h 30m, more after snow) from Gulmarg. Nonstop flights reach Srinagar from Delhi (about 1h 25m), Mumbai (about 2h 45m), Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Amritsar and Jammu; from other cities you connect via Delhi or Mumbai.
Getting to Gulmarg for a ski trip
| From | Fastest way to Srinagar | Then to Gulmarg |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | Nonstop flight, about 2h 45m (IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air) | 50 km by cab, about 1h 30m |
| Delhi | Nonstop flight, about 1h 25m | 50 km by cab, about 1h 30m |
| Bengaluru / Hyderabad | Nonstop flight, about 3-3h 40m | 50 km by cab, about 1h 30m |
| Jammu | Vande Bharat train, 4h 50m, or 45m flight | 50 km by cab, about 1h 30m |
Fly in the morning so you reach Gulmarg in daylight. After heavy snow the Tangmarg-Gulmarg road can need chains or 4x4 vehicles, so we plan winter transfers around that day's road conditions.
Skiing packages in India: why Gulmarg
India has a handful of ski areas - Auli in Uttarakhand, Solang Valley near Manali, and the Narkanda-Kufri slopes near Shimla - but Gulmarg is by far the largest, with the highest lift-served terrain, the longest season and the most reliable snow. It is also the only Indian resort with a full ski-in gondola system and a government ski institute on the mountain.
Indian ski destinations compared
| Resort | State | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Gulmarg | Jammu & Kashmir | Every level; India's biggest terrain and best powder |
| Auli | Uttarakhand | Beginner courses on open slopes |
| Solang Valley | Himachal Pradesh | A first taste of snow near Manali |
| Narkanda / Kufri | Himachal Pradesh | Short beginner sessions near Shimla |
How to book a Gulmarg ski trip with Via Kashmir
- 1Send your dates, number of skiers and level (first-timer, beginner, intermediate, advanced).
- 2We reply with a written quote - Gulmarg hotel, meals, transfers, passes, gear and lessons itemised.
- 3Pay to confirm; we book the hotel and line up your instructor and gear.
- 4Our driver meets you at Srinagar airport or station and takes you up to Gulmarg.
Safety
Off-piste skiing from Apharwat is serious avalanche terrain. Ski it only with a qualified local guide and avalanche gear, and follow the daily avalanche bulletin.
Ski trips with live prices
| Trip | Days | Route | From, per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulmarg Skiing Package with Private Coach - 6N/7D | 6N/7D | Gulmarg, Tangmarg | ₹45,000 |
Live prices with hotels, a private cab and sightseeing included; flights extra. Compare all Kashmir tour packages
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gulmarg skiing price per person?
Roughly ₹2,500-4,500 per person per day for an Indian skier: a gondola ski pass of ₹1,200 (Phase 1) or ₹1,500 (Phase 2), ski gear at ₹500-1,200 and a group lesson at ₹800-1,200, or ₹3,000-4,000 for a private instructor. Stay, meals and travel are extra. These are 2025-26 rates and change each season.
How much does a Gulmarg skiing package cost?
A 2-day weekend ski taster typically costs ₹14,000-20,000 per person (twin sharing) including 3 nights in Gulmarg, meals, transfers, passes, gear and lessons; a 5-day learn-to-ski week is about ₹30,000-45,000. Flights are extra. Our own Gulmarg Skiing Package with Private Coach (6 nights, 5 ski days, coach, gear, passes and transfers included) is ₹45,000 per person for 2 sharing.
How much is the gondola ski pass in Gulmarg?
For the 2025-26 season the full-day ski pass was ₹1,200 for Phase 1 and ₹1,500 for Phase 2 for Indian skiers (₹1,600 and ₹2,500 for foreigners), and a weekly pass ₹7,500 (₹12,500 for foreigners). Confirm current rates on the official JKCCC portal.
What is the fee for the skiing course in Gulmarg?
The IISM 14-day snow skiing course costs ₹10,000 for students up to 25 years and ₹20,000 for those above 25, including boarding, lodging, training and ski equipment. Private lessons cost about ₹3,000-4,000 a day.
When is the best time for skiing in Gulmarg?
January and February - the snow is deepest and most reliable. The season generally runs from mid-late December to early or mid-March, and early-season conditions depend on how much snow has fallen.
Are there Gulmarg skiing packages from Mumbai?
Yes. Fly nonstop from Mumbai to Srinagar (about 2h 45m on IndiGo, Air India or Akasa Air) and drive 50 km to Gulmarg. Via Kashmir builds the package from Srinagar airport onwards - transfers, Gulmarg stay, passes, gear and lessons - and can advise on flights.
Can I do a snowboarding package in Gulmarg?
Yes. Snowboards and boots rent for about ₹700-1,000 a day, instructors teach snowboarding, and any ski package can be booked as a snowboarding package.
Which is the best place for skiing in India?
Gulmarg in Kashmir - it has India's largest lift-served terrain, the highest gondola, the longest season and a government ski institute. Auli, Solang Valley and Narkanda-Kufri are smaller options mainly for beginners.
Can a complete beginner ski in Gulmarg?
Yes. The nursery slopes near the gondola base are gentle, and most beginners are making controlled turns after 2-3 days of lessons. Stay on Phase 1 terrain until an instructor says you are ready.
Written by Via Kashmir Editorial Team
Last checked 2026
Via Kashmir is a Srinagar-based travel company built around one goal: giving travellers the best possible Kashmir experience. Our team puts together the best-priced hotels, cabs, Kashmir tour packages, and adventure packages with real sports activities, drawing on daily, on-the-ground knowledge of Kashmir's roads, weather, and seasons. Every guide on this site is written and checked by our local Srinagar team.