Things to Do in Gulmarg: 20 Best Activities by Season (2026)

Gulmarg sits at about 2,650 m in Baramulla district, a meadow town ringed by fir forest under the Pir Panjal range and about 50 km (2 hours) from Srinagar. Its name means "meadow of flowers", and that is what it is from May to September. From December the same bowl turns into India's best-known ski resort. That split decides your list. Snow sports need winter. Treks, golf and the high lake need summer. The Gondola works in both.

You do not have to be a professional or an athlete to learn to ski here. Instructors start you on the baby slopes near the base and you can hire one for a day or for a week. In summer the Gondola climb shows you Nanga Parbat on a clear morning, and the meadows around town are open for walking, golf and pony rides until the first snow in November.

Key takeaways

• Book the Gondola online on the official J&K Cable Car Corporation site before you leave Srinagar. Phase 1 is Rs 800, Phase 2 is Rs 1,000, and there is no ticket counter at the base.

• Ride Phase 2 in the morning. High wind shuts the upper line most often after lunch.

• Ski between mid-January and late February for the best snow. Beginners can learn in two or three days.

• Come between June and September for Alpather Lake, Khilanmarg's wildflowers and golf.

• Ask to see the posted rate board before any pony, sledge, snowmobile or ATV ride, and fix the price and the stops first.

Things to Do in Gulmarg at a Glance

Costs are per person and indicative for the 2026-27 season. Gondola tickets are sold online only, through the J&K Cable Car Corporation. Pony, sledge, snowmobile and ATV rates are fixed with the local associations and posted on hoardings in Gulmarg, and the posted board always beats any figure quoted to you on the spot.

20 Best Things to Do in Gulmarg

1. Ride the Gulmarg Gondola to Kongdori (Phase 1)

The Gulmarg Gondola ride is a two-stage cable car that climbs from the town of Gulmarg to the shoulder of Apharwat Peak, and it is the single most popular thing to do in the Kashmir Valley's ski resort. Phase 1 runs from Gulmarg to Kongdoori for Rs 800, Phase 2 carries you on to about 13,000 feet for Rs 1,000, and the two tickets are booked together online.

Phase 1 takes about 10 minutes and lifts you over fir forest to Kongdori at roughly 3,050 m. In winter Kongdori is the main snow-play and beginner-ski area. In summer it is the start of the meadow trails. Book as soon as your dates are firm, because peak-season slots go days ahead and tickets are sold online only, with no ticket counter at the base station. If you are late, a Tatkal quota at Rs 1,110 opens online at 5 pm the evening before. Gates open around 8 to 9 am, entry closes at 3:30 pm and the last ride down is about 5 pm. The line shuts for maintenance on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, and children under 3 ride free. Our Gulmarg Gondola ride guide covers the experience, and the Gulmarg Gondola ticket price page tracks the current fares.

2. Go Higher to Apharwat on Gondola Phase 2

Phase 2 continues from Kongdori to the upper station on the shoulder of Mount Apharwat at about 3,950 m. There is snow up here into June, and on a clear morning you can pick out Nanga Parbat to the north. Phase 2 is sold only together with Phase 1 (Rs 1,800 for both, Tatkal Rs 1,310 for Phase 2), and it is the stage that stops first when the wind rises, usually after lunch. So book an early slot and go straight up.

Since December 2025 the Apharwat station has had a revolving hall with a restaurant, billed as the world's highest, which gives you a warm seat and 360-degree views of the peaks when the wind outside is too strong to linger.

At nearly 4,000 m the air is thin. Walk slowly, drink water, and skip the top if anyone in your group has a heart or breathing condition. A separate chairlift runs from Kongdori up to Mary's Shoulder for skiers, and children under 11 are not allowed on it. More detail is in our Apharwat Peak guide.

3. Learn to Ski (or Ski Properly) on Mount Apharwat

Skiing in Gulmarg runs from late December to March on about 25 km of marked slopes, from the 2,650 m village bowl to the roughly 3,950 m top station of Gondola Phase 2 on Mount Apharwat. That 1,300 m of vertical is why skiers rate it India's top ski resort. The best powder usually lands between mid-January and late February.

Beginners start on the nursery slopes near the base and at Kongdori, where a 726 m drag lift opened in December 2025 (billed as Asia's longest). Expect to pay about Rs 800 to Rs 1,200 a day for standard skis, boots and poles, and about Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 a day for a private instructor. Most first-timers link turns by day three. For a structured course, the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering runs 14-day batches for ages 10 to 40 at Rs 10,000 (25 and under) or Rs 20,000 (over 25), covering board, lodging, training and equipment. Booking for the 2026-27 batches opens on 12 November 2026 at 10 am on iismgulmarg.in. Slopes, schools and rental tips are in our skiing in Gulmarg guide.

4. Try Snowboarding

The same rental shops near the gondola base hire out boards and boots, and most ski instructors also teach snowboarding. The open, gentle slopes around Kongdori suit learners better than the base, which gets crowded with sledges by mid-morning. Book two half-day lessons rather than one full day. Your legs will thank you, and the second session is where it clicks. Snowboarding is one of the four disciplines at the Khelo India Winter Games held at Kongdori, so the good riders you see in February are often national-level competitors.

5. Heli-Skiing (for Expert Skiers Only)

Heli-skiing returned to Gulmarg in February 2024 after a gap of about four years, and a heli-skiing service was launched again in February 2025. A helicopter drops small groups on untracked bowls in the Pir Panjal that the gondola does not reach. It is priced per day, sells out well ahead, and needs real off-piste skill plus avalanche gear (transceiver, probe, shovel). Before you plan around it, confirm that an operator is flying in your season. If you are not an expert, ski the Phase 2 bowls with a certified guide instead, which gives you most of the terrain at a fraction of the cost.

6. Go Sledging in the Snow

Sledging is what most families come to Gulmarg for in winter. A local sledge-puller drags you uphill and you ride back down, or he steers while you sit in front. Expect around Rs 100 to Rs 300 a run, but treat the posted rate board as the price and agree the number of runs before you sit down. Overcharging on sledge rides is the most common complaint we hear. The tourism department has barred sledging on active ski slopes, so use the earmarked sledging tracks at the base and at Kongdori. Kongdori usually has better snow in early December.

7. Take a Snowmobile Ride

Snowmobiles run short loops across the snowfields near the base and up towards Kongdori, and they are the quickest way to cover open snow without skiing. A ride costs about Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 and lasts 20 to 40 minutes. Agree the route and the time on the clock before you start, check the helmet, and ask the driver to slow down if you have a child on board.

8. Snowshoeing and Snow Walks

Not everyone wants to ski. Snowshoes let you walk out across fresh snow to the forest edge, away from the noise at the base. It costs little more than gear hire, works for older travellers who are steady on their feet, and is the best way to photograph the fir trees under a fresh fall. Rent shoes and gaiters at the base, and keep to the marked meadow edges rather than wandering towards the slopes above.

9. Pony Ride Through the Meadows

From April to November, ponies carry visitors through the meadows to Khilanmarg, Strawberry Valley, Seven Springs and the viewpoints above town. For children and seniors it is the easiest way to reach the high meadows. Routes are assigned by the Gulmarg Development Authority and rates run from about Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 depending on the route. Ask the pony-wallah to name every stop on the route before you agree a price, then compare it with the rate board at the stand. In winter the same ponies carry luggage from the road to hotels when the snow is deep.

10. Play a Round at Gulmarg Golf Course

At about 2,650 m, the 18-hole, par-72 Gulmarg Golf Course is often called the world's highest green golf course (some lists put it second). Golf has been played on this meadow since 1890, and at 7,505 yards with a 610-yard 8th hole it is a serious test, not just a view. The course opens from April to November. Indian players pay about Rs 800 for 9 holes and Rs 1,200 for 18, and sets can be hired at the clubhouse, along with caddies. There is a learning academy for beginners who want a lesson first. Even if you don't play, walk the edge at sunset, when the 18th drops 300 feet from St Mary's Church to the clubhouse. Course details are in our Gulmarg Golf Course guide.

11. Trek to Alpather Lake

Alpather Lake is a glacial lake in a bowl below the Apharwat summit at about 3,970 m. It stays frozen into June, and you will often find ice chunks floating on the water well into July. The quickest way in is Gondola Phase 2 followed by a walk of about 2 km over the ridge and down into the bowl. The longer, traditional route climbs from Gulmarg through Khilanmarg and takes a full day. Go between June and September, start early, carry water and a warm layer, and hire a local guide, because cloud comes in fast on the ridge. It is the best day trek around Gulmarg.

12. Hike Up to Khilanmarg

Khilanmarg is a meadow about 6 km from Gulmarg and some 600 m higher. In June and July it is covered in wildflowers. In winter it becomes part of the ski area. The walk up through forest and open grass takes 3 to 4 hours there and back, or you can ride a pony one way. From the top you get one of the widest views over the Kashmir Valley, with the Pir Panjal at your back. For longer routes, see our treks around Gulmarg.

13. Go Trout Fishing at Ferozepur Nallah

Many people love fishing, and fishing in a hill stream is something else. Fishing is more of a summer activity in Gulmarg. The official trout water near town is Ferozepur Nallah on the Tangmarg side, one of the streams the J&K Fisheries Department lists and divides into beats. You need a permit, which is issued online, is valid for one day only, allows a bag limit of 6 fish and covers fly fishing only. The season runs from April to September, with booking opening on 1 April. Bring your own fly kit or arrange one through a licensed outfitter in Srinagar, and go early in the morning, when the water is coldest and the fish rise. More in our fishing in Gulmarg guide.

14. Picnic or Camp at Ningle Nallah

Ningle Nallah is a fast, clear stream that flows about 10 km from Gulmarg, fed by snowmelt off Apharwat. A taxi gets you close in 30 to 40 minutes, and then it is a short walk to the water. Families come for a slow half-day with tea and a packed lunch on the rocks. Campers can pitch in the nearby meadow and stay the night, and since parts of the uplands sit inside Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary it is wise to go with a licensed operator. Go between May and October.

15. Take an ATV Ride

All-terrain vehicles run meadow and forest tracks near the base, and in winter some operators run them on packed snow. They are also the usual way to reach Drung when the road from Tangmarg is snowed over. A ride costs about Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500 for 20 to 40 minutes. Check the vehicle and helmet, agree the route first, and don't let a driver take a child on the front seat.

16. Walk the Outer Circle and Look for Wildlife

The Outer Circle Walk is a forest road that loops around the Gulmarg bowl, and you can walk any section of it. It runs through the fir and pine of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, which covers about 180 sq km between 2,400 m and 4,300 m and surrounds the resort. Musk deer and Himalayan black bear live here, though you are far more likely to see birds than mammals, so carry binoculars. Walk it in the morning between May and October and you will have it mostly to yourself, with views down to the Valley on one side and up to Apharwat on the other.

17. Visit St Mary's Church

This small grey church with a green roof was built in 1902 and stands on a rise above the golf course. Deccan Herald has called it the Valley's oldest Protestant church. It has no regular weekly service, so the door is opened by a caretaker, and the building is most photogenic under snow. Entry is free. Read our St Mary's Church guide for opening times and the walk from the market.

18. See the Maharani Temple

The red-roofed Shiva temple on a hillock in the middle of Gulmarg was built in 1915 by Maharani Mohini Bai Sisodia. Bollywood fans know it from the song "Jai Jai Shiv Shankar" in Aap Ki Kasam (1974). The old wooden structure burned down in 2024. The J&K Dharmarth Trust rebuilt it, reopened it in December 2024 and held the consecration in August 2025, so what you see today is new work in the old style. It is a short walk from the market and pairs well with St Mary's on an evening stroll. Both are covered in more detail on our places to visit in Gulmarg page.

19. Stop at Drung Waterfall and Baba Reshi on the Tangmarg Road

Two of the best stops are short detours below Gulmarg on the Tangmarg side. Drung Waterfall is about 3 to 3.5 km off Tangmarg. In January and February it freezes into columns of ice, and in winter the narrow road is reached by chained taxi or ATV from Tangmarg. After the spring melt it runs hard. The shrine of the Sufi saint Baba Reshi is about 13 km from Gulmarg by road and draws visitors of every faith. Dress modestly and leave your shoes at the door. Both are easy add-ons on the drive up, so plan them for the way in or the way out rather than a separate trip.

20. Watch Winter Sports at Kongdori

Gulmarg hosts India's main winter sports events. In 2026 the Gulmarg leg of the Khelo India Winter Games ran from 23 to 26 February at Kongdori, with alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, ski mountaineering and snowboarding. J&K Tourism also runs a winter festival with ski races, snow sculptures and music in most seasons. Both are free to watch. Dates are announced only a few weeks ahead, so if your trip falls in February or March, check the schedule and book your hotel early, because rooms fill fast during event weeks.

Also worth your time. Gulmarg's market is small, so buy pashmina, papier-mâché and walnut wood in Tangmarg or Srinagar instead (see shopping in Gulmarg). Do not leave without a cup of kahwa, the saffron-and-almond green tea, and at least one Wazwan meal at a hotel restaurant. It is a multi-course feast, so go with a large appetite. In winter, some hotels also run an igloo café for a cup of tea in a room made of snow.

A note on tea plucking. Some older listings mention tea plucking in Gulmarg. Gulmarg has no tea gardens, so there is nothing to book. If you want a plantation visit, that belongs on a Darjeeling, Munnar or Assam trip.

Activities in Gulmarg by Season

For month-by-month weather and crowd levels, see the best time to visit Gulmarg. If you already know your month, our season guides go deeper: Gulmarg in summer, things to do in Gulmarg in June, Gulmarg in May and things to do during snowfall in Gulmarg.

Gulmarg Activities for Families, Couples and Adventure Seekers

Families with young children should plan around Gondola Phase 1, sledging on the marked tracks, a short pony ride and a picnic at Ningle Nallah. Leave Phase 2 out with toddlers, because the altitude and cold at the top are hard on small children, and the chairlift does not take anyone under 11. Our Gulmarg family packages are built around this pace, with hotels close to the gondola base.

Couples get the most out of an overnight stay rather than a day trip. The town empties after 5 pm, so the evening walk to St Mary's and the Maharani Temple is quiet, and the first Gondola slot next morning has the clearest light. A snowmobile ride in winter or a pony ride to Khilanmarg in summer fills the second day. See Gulmarg honeymoon packages for stays that include the gondola booking.

Adventure seekers should come in January or February for skiing, snowboarding and guided Phase 2 runs, or between June and September for the Alpather trek and the longer routes towards the Apharwat ridge. Seniors do best with Phase 1, the pony rides and the golf-course walk, all of which stay below about 3,050 m.

How Many Days? 1-, 2- and 3-Day Gulmarg Activity Plans

One day, from Srinagar. Leave by 7 am. Gulmarg is about 50 km away, and the drive via Tangmarg takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Be at the gondola base by 9 am, ride Phase 1 and Phase 2 before noon, and eat lunch at Kongdori or back at the base. In the afternoon take a sledge in winter or a pony ride in summer, then walk to St Mary's Church and the Maharani Temple before driving back by 8 pm. A Srinagar sedan costs about Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,800 one way. Full route options are in how to reach Gulmarg from Srinagar.

Two days. Do day one as above but sleep in Gulmarg. On day two in winter, book a morning ski lesson and spend the afternoon snowshoeing or on a snowmobile. In summer, trek to Alpather Lake or play 9 holes in the morning, then picnic at Ningle Nallah.

Three days. Add a full day on the snow with an instructor in winter, or the Khilanmarg hike and the Outer Circle Walk in summer. Stop at Drung Waterfall and Baba Reshi on the drive out.

Want it planned for you? Our Gulmarg tour packages bundle the gondola booking, transfers and stays, and the wider Kashmir tour packages pair Gulmarg with Srinagar and Pahalgam.

How to Book Gulmarg Activities and Pay the Fair Rate

1. Book the Gondola first. Use jammukashmircablecar.com only, as soon as your dates are firm. Carry the ID you booked with. Touts selling "confirmed" gondola tickets at the base are the most common scam in Gulmarg.

2. Check the rate board before any ride. Pony, sledge, snowmobile and ATV prices are fixed with the local associations and displayed on hoardings in Gulmarg. Agree the price, the duration and every stop before you start, and pay at the end.

3. Hire registered ski instructors. Book through the rental shops at the base, J&K Tourism or IISM, not through someone who approaches you on the slope.

4. Get your fishing permit online from the J&K Fisheries Department before you travel. It is valid for one day and one named beat.

5. Rent winter gear once. Jackets, snow boots and gloves can be hired in Tangmarg or at the base. Try the boots on before you drive up, because swapping a wrong size at 2,650 m wastes half a morning.

6. Keep a buffer day before your flight. Heavy snow can close the Tangmarg to Gulmarg road for hours.

Getting There and Staying Safe

Gulmarg is about 54 km from Srinagar airport. The last 13 km above Tangmarg climb steeply through forest. After snowfall, only 4x4s or vehicles fitted with anti-skid chains are allowed past Tangmarg, and chains from registered vendors cost Rs 600 a pair. Buses and heavy vehicles stop at Tangmarg in winter. See how to reach Gulmarg for every route.

On the mountain, the rules are simple. Don't rush at the Phase 2 station, and go down if anyone feels dizzy or short of breath. Check the Gondola status on the morning of your ride, because Phase 2 and the upper slopes close in high wind or avalanche risk. Never ski off-piste without a certified guide and avalanche gear. Gulmarg is a heavily visited resort with a strong police presence, and the usual advice is to carry original photo ID and check J&K advisories before you travel.

Gulmarg rewards a plan that matches the season. Come in winter for the snow and the slopes, or in summer for the lake, the meadows and the golf, and ride the Gondola either way. Start with our Gulmarg travel guide, compare Gulmarg tour packages when you are ready, and see the rest of the Valley on our Kashmir tourism hub and our list of things to do in Kashmir.

Edited by TravelTriangle