Quick Answer
Most winter days in Kashmir run normally. After a heavy snowfall, Srinagar flights can be delayed or cancelled for a day, the Jammu-Srinagar highway can close for clearing, and the road to Gulmarg may need chains or a 4x4. The Mughal Road and the Zojila pass close for the whole winter, but Sonamarg now stays reachable through the Z-Morh tunnel, open since January 2025. The Katra-Srinagar train is a useful backup when flights stop. Book a morning flight, keep one buffer day before your return flight, and choose refundable or flexible bookings.
Kashmir winter and snow packages
Every winter we re-route a few trips around fresh snow: a flight that moves to the next morning, a Gulmarg day swapped with a Srinagar day while the road is cleared. None of it ruins a trip that was planned with a little slack. This guide covers what closes, what stays open, and how we plan around it.
What closes in winter and what stays open
| Route or service | Winter status | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Srinagar airport | Open; weather delays after heavy snow or low visibility | Prefer morning flights; keep a buffer day before your return. |
| Jammu-Srinagar highway (NH44) | Open; short closures after heavy snow or landslides | Road trips from Jammu can be held for a day; check before leaving. |
| Katra-Srinagar train | Running | A good backup when flights are cancelled. |
| Srinagar-Gulmarg road | Open; chains or 4x4 after heavy snow | Your driver carries chains; the last stretch can be slow. |
| Srinagar-Pahalgam road | Open | Cold and icy early mornings; drive in daylight. |
| Srinagar-Sonamarg | Open all year via the Z-Morh tunnel | Sonamarg is now a winter option, unlike before 2025. |
| Zojila pass beyond Sonamarg | Closed in winter | No road to Ladakh this way until it reopens in spring. |
| Mughal Road | Closed in winter | Not an option between roughly December and April. |
| Gulmarg Gondola Phase 2 | Pauses in high wind or storms | Book the earliest slot and keep a spare morning. |
Typical winter pattern; exact closures depend on each snowfall
How to plan a winter trip that survives the weather
- 1One buffer day before your return flight, ideally in Srinagar.
- 2Morning flights both ways; they are less affected by evening fog and the knock-on delays of the day.
- 3Refundable or flexible tickets where the price difference is small.
- 4Gulmarg in the middle of the trip, not on the last day, so a closed road does not threaten your flight.
- 5Heated rooms, especially during Chillai Kalan (21 December to 31 January).
- 6Watch the snow on our live Gulmarg snowfall page in the week before you travel.
If your flight is cancelled or a road closes
- Tell us on WhatsApp straight away; on-trip support runs round the clock.
- We re-order the itinerary first (for example, Srinagar sightseeing while the Gulmarg road is cleared), so you lose as little as possible.
- If your arrival slips by a day, we contact your hotels; any change is subject to each hotel's own policy, which we tell you before you decide.
- If flights are grounded for longer, the train from Srinagar to Katra and onward connections are usually the fastest way out.
Plan a winter trip with room for the weather
We build in buffer days, heated stays and a snow-ready car, and re-route on the day if we need to.
Further reading from Kashmir Pulse
- Things to Do in Gulmarg (2026-27): Gondola, Meadows, Snow and Skiing
What to do in Gulmarg in summer and winter: the two gondola phases and what each one is for, Khilanmarg and Alpather walks, golf at 2,650 m,...
- Winter Activities in Kashmir (2026-27): Skiing, Snow Days and Warm Kashmiri Traditions
Every winter activity in Kashmir from December to March: skiing and snowboarding in Gulmarg, the gondola in snow, sledging and snowmobiles,...
- Kashmir in Winter with Kids: Packing List and Snow-Day Plan
What children actually need for Kashmir in snow, what to hire at Tangmarg instead of buying, how to check the room heating before you pay,...
- Kashmir New Year Trip: Gulmarg Snow, Bookings and Weather
How to plan a New Year trip to Kashmir: what Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Srinagar are like on 31 December, when to book, the New Year's Eve dinner...
- Gulmarg Snowfall News: Fresh Snow on Apharwat (October 2026) and What It Means for Your Trip
Fresh snow fell on Gulmarg's Apharwat ridge on the night of 6 October 2026, after a first dusting on 23 September. The meadow town is still...
- Gulmarg Skiing 2026-27: Gondola, Runs, Season Dates, and What First-Timers Need to Know
Gulmarg ski season 2026-27 opens in late December. Phase 1 gondola to Kongdoori at 3,979m handles beginner and intermediate terrain; Phase 2...
Frequently Asked Questions
Do flights to Srinagar get cancelled in winter?
Sometimes, after heavy snowfall or in low visibility, usually for a day. Book morning flights and keep a buffer day before your return.
Is the Jammu-Srinagar highway open in winter?
Yes, though it can close for short periods after heavy snow or landslides while it is cleared. Check the status before driving from Jammu.
Is Sonamarg open in winter?
Yes. Since the Z-Morh tunnel opened in January 2025, Sonamarg is reachable from Srinagar all year. The Zojila pass beyond it still closes in winter.
Do I need snow chains to reach Gulmarg?
After heavy snow, chains or a 4x4 are often required on the road from Tangmarg to Gulmarg. Experienced local drivers carry chains.
Is the Mughal Road open in winter?
No. The Mughal Road usually closes from around December until spring.
What happens to my booking if snow stops me travelling?
We re-order your itinerary first. Any date change with hotels follows each hotel's own policy, which we explain before you decide. Flexible bookings make winter changes much easier.
Written by Via Kashmir Editorial Team
Last checked 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.