Gulmarg Skiing Course for Beginners: 7 Days, 1-on-1 Coaching

Gulmarg Skiing FAQs

Is this skiing course suitable for complete beginners? Yes. This 7-day Gulmarg skiing course is built for first-time skiers and needs no previous experience. You start with ski fitting, stance and balance, then move to snowplough braking, turns and linked turns. Share any past skiing experience when you enquire so your instructor can plan your sessions.

How many days of skiing lessons will I get? You get five scheduled ski-training days, from Day 2 to Day 6, with one-on-one coaching. Day 1 is arrival and Day 7 is departure.

What is the Gulmarg skiing cost for this package? The skiing cost in Gulmarg depends on your dates, number of guests and room sharing. The package price covers coaching, equipment, hotel, meals and transfers. Send us your details for a current quotation.

What is included in the package? Six nights in Gulmarg, meals as per itinerary, Srinagar Airport transfers, daily hotel-to-slope transport, five training days, one-on-one coaching, skis, boots, poles, safety gear and bunny-slope lift passes for scheduled sessions. You also get a course-completion assessment and certificate.

What is not included? Flights or train tickets, travel insurance, gondola tickets and upper-mountain passes, personal winter clothing, gloves and goggles, personal expenses, laundry and room service, and extra nights or optional activities.

When is the Gulmarg skiing season? Is there snow in Gulmarg? Gulmarg usually has reliable snow from around December to March, and that is the best time to visit Gulmarg for skiing. Exact conditions change every year, so we confirm snow and slope status before your dates are fixed.

What is the Gulmarg ski pass price? Bunny-slope lift passes are included for scheduled beginner sessions. Gondola tickets and upper-mountain passes are separate, and we can share current rates if you want to add them.

Can I try heli skiing or backcountry skiing in Gulmarg? Not on this course. Gulmarg heli skiing and backcountry skiing are for advanced skiers. This beginner programme does not include upper-mountain skiing, gondola passes or off-piste guiding.

Do you offer night skiing in Gulmarg? Training runs on the beginner slope as per the schedule. Night skiing is not part of this package.

Which hotels will I stay in? Hotel Sahara, Hotel Zahgeer, Hotel Poshwan, Al Barq Cottages, Green Park Yemberzal or Gulmarg Inn, subject to availability. Room sharing and the final hotel are confirmed before you book.

What should I wear and carry? Bring your own winter clothing, warm layers, gloves and goggles, as these are not included. We provide skis, boots, poles and essential safety gear.

What if the weather is bad or the lifts are closed? Snowfall, weather, lift operations and safety rules can change the order or availability of sessions. Your instructor may repeat or adapt exercises to suit conditions.

How do I book a Gulmarg ski package? Send us your preferred dates, number of guests and room-sharing preference, whether you are a solo traveller, a family or a group. We confirm availability and share a current quotation, then confirm your hotel before booking.

What is your cancellation policy? Cancellation and refund terms depend on how many days before the start date you cancel. See the cancellation and refund policy on this page for the full details.

I prefer snowboarding. Do you have a course? Yes. See our Gulmarg snowboarding course for beginners.

How is skiing in Gulmarg different from skiing in Manali? Gulmarg is India’s best-known ski resort with a long winter season, which makes it a strong choice if you want a proper multi-day skiing course rather than a short taster.


 

Gulmarg Ski Guide: Know Before You Go

Gulmarg sits at about 2,650 m in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas and is the most popular place for skiing in India. It is known for powder snow, wide slopes and the Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest cable cars in the world. Skiers and snowboarders come here from across India and from Europe and America, and Srinagar Airport makes it an easy winter trip.

Weather and snow in Gulmarg from December to March

Gulmarg gets heavy snow in winter, and temperatures typically run from about 4°C down to -10°C. The weather can change fast, from bright sunshine to a snowstorm within a few hours, so pack layers and keep your plans flexible. Hotels here are built for winter, but always check for central heating and running hot water before you book.

Gulmarg ski area: slopes by level

• Learning Slope (beginner): Gentle gradients, where most first-time skiers start.
• Church Slope (beginner): Gentle terrain below the historic church.
• IISM slope (training): Used by the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering for courses.
• Highland Slope (intermediate): Moderate terrain with wide views.
• Phase 1 by gondola (intermediate): Reached by the gondola, with chair lifts for skiing and snowboarding.
• Phase 2 at Apharwat (advanced): Long, high runs near 4,000 m for expert skiers.
• 85 Degree Slope (expert): Steep and reserved for experienced skiers.
• Heli skiing (expert): Off-piste runs reached by helicopter.

Your beginner course runs on the learning terrain. We use the bunny slope and the beginner lift once your instructor feels you are ready.

Gulmarg Gondola and ski pass

The gondola runs in two stages. Phase 1 is at about 2,600 m, and Phase 2 climbs towards Apharwat peak. It usually runs from about 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., depending on weather, and tickets can sell out in peak season. A Gulmarg ski pass is available for a single day or several days. It covers the lifts, and some packages add lessons and equipment rental. This beginner course includes bunny-slope lift passes only, so gondola tickets and upper-mountain passes are extra.

Skiing in India: Where Gulmarg Fits

India has several places to ski, and each suits a different kind of trip. Gulmarg is the biggest and best-known skiing resort in India, with the longest runs and the most reliable snow. The others are smaller and work better as a short taste of snow.

• Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir: Skiing lessons, multi-day courses and alpine skiing for all levels.
• Auli, Uttarakhand: Himalayan views and well-kept slopes.
• Solang Valley, Manali, Himachal Pradesh: A scenic snow day on a Manali trip.
• Kufri, Himachal Pradesh: Beginners and families.
• Narkanda, Himachal Pradesh: A quieter snow stay among apple orchards.

Many people searching for skiing in Manali end up in Gulmarg once they want real lessons. A short session in Solang is fun, but a Gulmarg skiing course gives you five full days of coaching on the same snow, so your technique builds day by day.

Gulmarg also has a sporting record. It hosts the Khelo India Winter Games, and Kashmiri skier Arif Khan trained here before representing India in alpine skiing at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Gulmarg Winter Activities and How to Reach

Things to do in Gulmarg besides skiing

Skiing is the main reason to come, but there is plenty to do on rest days and for family members who do not ski.

• Gondola ride: Take the cable car to Phase 1 or on to Phase 2 at Apharwat for panoramic mountain views.
• Sledging: Gentle slopes that suit children and adults, and a fun way to get down from Phase 1.
• Snowmobile and ATV rides: Snowmobile rides at Phase 1 and ATV rides across the snow.
• Igloo Café: A hot drink and a snack in a snow-themed setting.
• Local sights: St Mary’s Church and the Mohinishwar Shivalaya temple.
• Shopping and food: Kashmiri handicrafts and hot local meals in Gulmarg’s restaurants.
• Nature: The Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is home to Himalayan wildlife such as the Hangul (Kashmir stag) and brown bear.

If your group wants a Gulmarg trip with and without skiing, tell us and we can plan packages with transfers, hotels and activities around that.

How to reach Gulmarg

Fly to Srinagar Airport; direct flights run daily from Delhi with the main airlines. Gulmarg is about 55 km from Srinagar and the drive takes around two hours. Winter traffic, army convoys or snow can slow the road, so keep a one-hour buffer, especially before a flight. Roads are cleared quickly after snowfall. Sonmarg is about 126 km away, a drive of roughly three and a half hours.

On this course, your Srinagar Airport pickup and drop are included and timed to your flights.

Gulmarg Skiing Price, Next Steps and Booking

What affects the Gulmarg skiing price

Gulmarg skiing prices change with your hotel’s star rating, equipment rental, instructors, transfers, meals and flights. Demand is also high. The season is short, Gulmarg has a limited number of good hotels with heating and hot water, and events such as the Khelo India Winter Games fill rooms fast. Prices rise at peak times, so booking early gets you better rates and a better choice of hotel. We run fixed departures, custom departures and group departures, so ask which suits your dates and budget.

After the beginner course

Once you can link turns with control, you can build on this course with a second trip. For intermediate and advanced skiers, Treks and Trails India arranges guided backcountry tours, ski gear rental, touring and avalanche safety equipment rental, and registered ski guides. Snowboarders can follow the same plan and itinerary on a board, and we can adjust the plan if you tell us early. Contact us for a customised quote.

How to book your Gulmarg skiing trip

1. Message us on WhatsApp at 8828004949 for personal help.
2. Tell us how many guests are travelling.
3. Share your preferred travel dates and how many days you can spend in Gulmarg.
4. Tell us your budget for the trip.
5. Describe your skiing experience and fitness level.
6. Mention any health concerns so we can advise you properly.
7. Plan early, because the best hotels and instructor slots go first in peak season.