Quick Answer
Kashmir gets snow from late November to early March. The surest month is January, during Chillai Kalan (21 December to 29 January), when Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg are all usually white. Gulmarg holds snow longest: the town from late November to March, and the Apharwat ridge (Gondola Phase 2) from October into May. For a family or first snow trip, go between mid-December and February and stay at least two nights in Gulmarg. Right now (6 November 2026) Gulmarg town is 5°C and clear; the next snow in the forecast is on Tuesday, 10 November.
Gulmarg snowfall today: live
Updated · refreshes every 30 min
Right now in Gulmarg town (2,650 m): 5°C, clear, wind 2 km/h, not snowing.
Yesterday · Thu, 5 Nov
Showers, 2° to 10°C
Snow in Gulmarg town: None
Snow on Apharwat (Phase 2): None
Today · Fri, 6 Nov
Fog, 1° to 11°C
Snow in Gulmarg town: None
Snow on Apharwat (Phase 2): None
Tomorrow · Sat, 7 Nov
Clear, 3° to 13°C
Snow in Gulmarg town: None
Snow on Apharwat (Phase 2): None
Next snow in the forecast: Tuesday, 10 November (town stays snow-free, about 1.1 cm on Apharwat).
Gulmarg snowfall prediction: next 15 days
| Date | Weather (town) | Min / Max (town) | Snow, town | Snow, Apharwat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, 6 Nov | Fog | 1° / 11°C | None | None |
| Sat, 7 Nov | Clear | 3° / 13°C | None | None |
| Sun, 8 Nov | Clear | 3° / 14°C | None | None |
| Mon, 9 Nov | Fog | 3° / 14°C | None | None |
| Tue, 10 Nov | Drizzle | 2° / 10°C | None | 1.1 cm |
| Wed, 11 Nov | Drizzle | -1° / 5°C | None | 6.1 cm |
| Thu, 12 Nov | Drizzle | -1° / 9°C | None | 2.5 cm |
| Fri, 13 Nov | Drizzle | 0° / 9°C | None | 2.1 cm |
| Sat, 14 Nov | Drizzle | 0° / 10°C | None | 1.3 cm |
| Sun, 15 Nov | Drizzle | 0° / 10°C | None | None |
| Mon, 16 Nov | Drizzle | 0° / 6°C | None | 7.1 cm |
| Tue, 17 Nov | Snow | -1° / 5°C | 0.6 cm | 1.3 cm |
| Wed, 18 Nov | Snow | -2° / 4°C | None | 3.4 cm |
| Thu, 19 Nov | Snow showers | -6° / 3°C | 5.3 cm | 15.5 cm |
| Fri, 20 Nov | Snow | -9° / 3°C | 0.7 cm | 2.9 cm |
| Sat, 21 Nov | Snow | -7° / 9°C | 2.5 cm | 3.5 cm |
Forecast model data from Open-Meteo (ECMWF, GFS and other models) for Gulmarg town at 2,650 m and Apharwat peak at about 3,980 m. Forecasts beyond 5 to 7 days change often in the mountains; for official warnings follow the IMD Meteorological Centre, Srinagar.
Plan a Kashmir snow trip
Most people searching for snowfall in Kashmir want two answers: when to book so there is snow on the ground, and where to go once they land in Srinagar. The short version: January is the safest month, and Gulmarg is the safest place.
This guide covers snow month by month, each snow destination and how long it stays white, what snow does to roads and flights, and how to plan the trip. The live panel shows current conditions in Gulmarg, the place that gets snow first and keeps it longest.
When does it snow in Kashmir? Month by month
| Month | Snow in Kashmir |
|---|---|
| October | First snow on high ridges such as Apharwat above Gulmarg; the towns are usually clear. |
| November | Gulmarg town is usually white by late November; light spells are possible in Pahalgam and Sonamarg. |
| December | Snow builds across the valley. Chillai Kalan starts on 21 December. |
| January | Peak snow and the deepest cold everywhere, including Srinagar. The surest month. |
| February | Deep snow continues and the days get slowly milder. Good for skiing. |
| March | Heavy late snow in Gulmarg while the valley floor starts to melt. |
| April to May | Snow only on high ridges such as Apharwat, with tulips in Srinagar below. |
Patterns from recent winters. Every season differs, so check the live Gulmarg panel and forecasts close to travel.
Kashmiris divide winter into three periods: Chillai Kalan (21 December to 29 January, the harshest 40 days with the heaviest snow), Chillai Khurd (30 January to 18 February) and Chillai Bachha (19 to 28 February). More on the season: Kashmir in winter.
Best places to see snowfall in Kashmir
- Gulmarg (about 2,650 m): the most reliable snow in Kashmir. The town is usually white from late November to March and close to certain from mid-December to early March; the Apharwat ridge holds snow from October into May. Gondola Phase 1 reaches Kongdori at about 3,080 m and Phase 2 about 3,980 m, and Phase 2 runs only in safe weather. Skiing, sledging and snowmobiles.
- Pahalgam (about 2,200 m): snowy from December to February, with 2 to 3 feet on the ground in January and nights between -12°C and -6°C. Calmer than Gulmarg, with snow along the Lidder river.
- Sonamarg (about 2,800 m): deep snow from December to March. The town has all-weather road access since the Z-Morh Tunnel opened in January 2025, but the Thajiwas Glacier trek and the road toward Zoji La stay closed until spring.
- Srinagar (about 1,585 m): snow comes in spells between December and February rather than all season. When it snows, Dal Lake, the houseboats and the Mughal gardens are at their most beautiful, and the shallow edges of the lake can freeze in January.
- Doodhpathri and Yusmarg: snowy meadows from December to February, though access can close after heavy snow.
Best time to see snow in Kashmir
- Surest snow: late December to mid-February. Snow is on the ground in all four main places.
- Snow with milder cold: mid-February to early March. Gulmarg is still deep in snow and the days are longer.
- Early snow, lower prices: late November to mid-December. Gulmarg is usually white; other places may not be yet.
- Snow on the peaks only: April and May. Gulmarg Phase 2 and the passes keep snow while the valley turns green.
For a first snow trip with family
Travel between mid-December and February, stay two or three nights in Gulmarg rather than a day trip from Srinagar, and keep one spare day before your flight home. Snow can delay roads and flights for a few hours, and a spare day turns that into a non-event.
Does snow close roads and flights in Kashmir?
- Srinagar to Gulmarg: stays open through winter, but the last climb from Tangmarg can need snow chains or a change to a local vehicle after heavy snow, so allow extra time on that day.
- Srinagar to Pahalgam and Sonamarg: usually open; both can shut for a few hours while snow is cleared.
- Jammu to Srinagar highway (NH44): can close for a day or more after heavy snow or landslides. Flying into Srinagar is more dependable in winter.
- Flights: heavy snowfall or low visibility can delay or cancel flights at Srinagar airport for a few hours. Book the return flight for a day after your last sightseeing day, not the same evening.
- Closed all winter: Zoji La toward Ladakh, Sinthan Top and the high trekking routes.
If snow changes the plan, our Srinagar team swaps days around, for example doing Srinagar sightseeing first and Gulmarg once the road is cleared. See winter flights and road closures and driving in Kashmir in snow.
Things to do in the snow in Kashmir
- Gulmarg Gondola over a white valley (book tickets online early in peak season).
- Skiing and snowboarding in Gulmarg from January to March, with ski schools for beginners.
- The frozen waterfall at Drang, often called the Drang ice fall, near Tangmarg on the Gulmarg road (late December to February).
- Ice skating: Gulmarg and Sonamarg have outdoor ice skating rinks in winter, used mainly by local skaters and for events. Public sessions and timings change with the weather, so ask locally. Never walk or skate on the frozen edges of Dal Lake.
- Snow sledging and snowmobile rides in Gulmarg.
- A shikara ride on Dal Lake with snow on the hills around it.
- A night on a heated houseboat in Srinagar.
- Harisa for breakfast and kahwa in the afternoon, the way Srinagar eats through winter.
What to wear for snow in Kashmir
- A down or padded jacket, thermal innerwear, woollen cap, gloves and thick socks.
- Waterproof boots with grip. Snow boots and long coats can be rented in Gulmarg if you do not own them.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen: snow glare at Gondola Phase 2 is strong even on cold days.
- Lip balm and moisturiser for the dry cold, and your regular medicines.
Hotels in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg use central heating, room heaters or traditional bukhari stoves. Ask us which heating each hotel has before you book.
How to plan a Kashmir snow trip with Via Kashmir
- 1Choose your dates: mid-December to February for the surest snow. Tell us if you are flexible and we will suggest the best window.
- 2Pick a package or ask for a quote: compare our Kashmir winter packages with live prices, or send us your dates and group size for a custom snow itinerary.
- 3Heated stays and the right car: we book hotels with heating and size the car to your group and luggage, with an SUV for families.
- 4Pay the company online: in full or with an advance through Razorpay. The cancellation table is shown before you pay.
- 5Travel with backup: our Srinagar team is on WhatsApp and phone at +91 91860 51499, 9am to 9pm every day, and on WhatsApp 24/7 while you are on the trip.
Plan your Kashmir snow trip
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will build a snow itinerary with heated stays and a local driver.
Further reading from Kashmir Pulse
- First Snowfall in Kashmir 2026: When It Comes and Where to See It
When the first snowfall in Kashmir reaches Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam and Srinagar, what the 2026 season has brought so far, and how to...
- Kashmiri Fish Dishes: Gaad, Hogaad and Phari, the Valley's Winter Fish
Kashmiri fish dishes explained by locals: gaad with lotus stem or radish, sun-dried hogaad with haakh, smoked phari from Anchar, how each is...
- Khelo India Winter Games Gulmarg: Dates, Events and Planning a Visit
The Khelo India Winter Games hold their snow events in Gulmarg: the 2026 Gulmarg leg ran 23 to 26 February with ski mountaineering, alpine,...
- Gulmarg Weather in June: Temperature, Snow and What to Pack
Gulmarg weather in June from official IMD averages: about 19 C by day and 9 C at night, some rain, green meadows and wildflowers, snow only...
- Hokh Syun: Kashmir's Sun-Dried Winter Vegetables Explained
Hokh Syun, the sun-dried vegetables Kashmiri families put away every autumn for the long winter: what gets dried, how it is done, why the...
- Shallabugh Wetland: Kashmir's Winter Bird Refuge Near Srinagar
Shallabugh Wetland in Ganderbal has been a Ramsar site since 2022 and is a winter home for lakhs of migratory ducks and geese. When to go,...
Frequently Asked Questions
Which month is best to see snowfall in Kashmir?
January is the best month for snow in Kashmir. It falls in Chillai Kalan (21 December to 29 January), when Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg are all usually under snow. Late December and February are also reliable, especially in Gulmarg.
Is there snow in Kashmir in November?
Often in Gulmarg, which is usually white by late November, and on the high ridges above it. Srinagar rarely has snow in November. If seeing snow is the main reason for the trip, travel from mid-December instead.
Does it snow in Srinagar?
Yes, in spells between December and February, most often in January. Srinagar is lower than Gulmarg (about 1,585 m against 2,650 m), so its snow comes and goes, while Gulmarg keeps snow on the ground all winter.
Where can I see snow in Kashmir in March or April?
In Gulmarg. The town usually keeps snow through March, and the Apharwat ridge, reached by Gondola Phase 2 at about 3,980 m, often holds snow into May. Srinagar and the valley floor are green by April.
Is Sonamarg open in winter?
The town is. Since the Z-Morh Tunnel opened in January 2025, Sonamarg has all-weather road access. The Thajiwas Glacier trek and the road beyond toward Zoji La and Ladakh still close for winter.
Is a Kashmir snow trip safe with children and older parents?
Yes, with planning. Stay in heated hotels, dress in proper layers, keep the gondola to Phase 1 for anyone with heart or lung conditions, and leave a spare day before the flight home.
How many days do I need for a Kashmir snow trip?
Five to six days works well: two nights in Srinagar and two or three in Gulmarg, with Pahalgam or Sonamarg added if you have more time. Keep one spare day in case snow delays a road or flight.
Can you go ice skating in Kashmir?
Yes, in winter. Gulmarg and Sonamarg have outdoor ice skating rinks, used mainly by local skaters and for events, and public sessions depend on the weather, so ask locally for timings. Do not skate or walk on the frozen edges of Dal Lake; the ice is not safe.
जम्मू कश्मीर में सर्दियों में तापमान कितना रहता है?
श्रीनगर में दिसंबर में दिन का औसत तापमान लगभग 6.5°C और रात का लगभग -4.3°C रहता है, और जनवरी में दिन में लगभग 3.1°C और रात में लगभग -5.8°C (पिछले 5 साल का औसत)। गुलमर्ग और सोनमर्ग इससे कई डिग्री ठंडे रहते हैं। जम्मू शहर काफी गर्म रहता है: दिसंबर और जनवरी में दिन में 16 से 19°C और रात में 6 से 7°C, और वहां बर्फ नहीं गिरती।
Kashmir me snowfall kab hota hai?
Kashmir mein snowfall aam taur par late November se early March tak hota hai. Sabse pakka mahina January hai. Gulmarg mein snow sabse lambe samay tak rehta hai, aur Gondola Phase 2 par May tak bhi snow mil sakta hai.
Written by Via Kashmir Editorial Team
Last checked 6 November 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.