Snowfall in Kashmir is most reliable from late December to the end of February, and Gulmarg is the surest place to find it. The high passes can turn white as early as September or October, but the places most travellers visit usually get their first proper snow in December.
This guide from the Stay Pattern team in Srinagar covers when it snows month by month, the best places to see snow, how winter affects flights and roads, what to pack and where to stay.
Snowfall in Kashmir at a glance
Snow season: December to March
Best months for snow: January and February
Most reliable place: Gulmarg, at about 2,650 m
Coldest period: Chillai Kalan, from 21 December to the end of January
Snow in Srinagar: a few spells in most winters, usually between late December and February, but never guaranteed
Main gateway: Srinagar airport (SXR)
Winter package: Kashmir Winter Retreat, 5 nights and 6 days, from ₹24,999 per person
When does it snow in Kashmir? A month by month guide
Snow arrives in Kashmir in stages: the high passes first, then the hill resorts, then Srinagar and the valley floor. Dates shift every year, so treat the months below as a guide and not a promise.
October and November: snow on the heights only
The first snow falls on the high passes and peaks, such as Zojila, the slopes above Gulmarg and the upper reaches of Gurez. In 2026 the upper reaches of Gurez and Gulmarg turned white as early as 17 September. Srinagar is in its autumn colours, with golden chinar trees and clear days. Come for autumn in these months, not for snow.
December: winter begins
Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam usually get their first real snowfall in December, but the date moves from year to year. Last winter stayed dry for weeks, and the first widespread snowfall came on 20 and 21 December 2025. If snow is the main reason for your trip, plan for the last ten days of December or later. Christmas and New Year are the busiest dates of the winter, so book early.
January: the best month for snow
January brings the heaviest and most frequent snowfall of the year. It falls inside Chillai Kalan, the coldest stretch of the Kashmiri winter. Gulmarg is under deep snow, the ski season is in full swing, and Srinagar has its best chance of a white morning. Nights in Srinagar usually drop below freezing, and Gulmarg is far colder.
February: deep snow, fewer crowds
The mountains are still in deep winter, but the days are a little longer and milder. Snow cover in Gulmarg is usually at or near its deepest, which makes February a favorite with skiers. Fresh snowfall is still frequent, and the rush of the New Year week has passed.
March: the season winds down
Srinagar warms up, and most spells there fall as rain. Gulmarg and Sonamarg still hold plenty of snow and keep getting fresh falls. In the third week of March 2026, both were still receiving fresh snow while Srinagar had rain. By late March, snow at meadow level starts to thin, so take the Gulmarg Gondola higher up to find it.
April onwards
Snow retreats to the heights. You can still reach it at Apharwat on Gondola Phase 2 and at Thajiwas Glacier near Sonamarg. For the rest of the year, see our guide to the best time to visit Kashmir.
What is Chillai Kalan?
Chillai Kalan is the 40 day peak of the Kashmiri winter, beginning on 21 December and running to the end of January. It is the period when snowfall is most frequent and heaviest, and when nights stay below freezing.
It is followed by Chillai Khurd, the "small cold" of 20 days, and Chillai Bachha, the "baby cold" of 10 days. Together they carry winter through to early March.
Locals get through it with the pheran, a long woollen cloak, and the kangri, a clay fire pot carried underneath it. Hot kahwa and noon chai are never far away.
For travellers the lesson is simple: a trip between 21 December and late February gives you the best odds of seeing snow fall and settle.
Best places to see snow in Kashmir
Gulmarg is the most reliable, Sonamarg gets some of the heaviest falls, Pahalgam is the quietest, Doodhpathri is the easiest day trip, and Srinagar is the bonus.
Gulmarg: the surest bet
Gulmarg sits at about 2,650 m, 51 km from Srinagar, and stays white from late December to March. It is the best choice if you have only one snow day.
Ride the Gondola: Phase 1 goes to Kongdoori and Phase 2 to Apharwat at about 3,980 m. Tickets cost about ₹800 and ₹1,000 per person. Our Srinagar to Gulmarg and Gondola guide explains booking.
Ski or learn to ski: see our beginner's guide to skiing in Gulmarg.
Keep it easy: go sledging, take a snowmobile ride, or simply walk the snow covered meadow.
Stay a night: day visitors see the snow, but overnight guests wake up in it.
Sonamarg: now open in winter
Sonamarg lies about 80 km from Srinagar at around 2,700 m. It used to be cut off for months every winter. Since the Z-Morh tunnel opened in January 2025, the road is built to stay open all year, apart from short closures after very heavy snow.
Sonamarg gets some of the heaviest snow in the valley. In the New Year 2026 spell it recorded 8 to 10 inches, against 3 to 4 inches in Gulmarg. Fewer hotels operate here in winter than in summer, so confirm your stay before you travel. The Zojila pass beyond Sonamarg closes for the winter.
Pahalgam: snow with fewer crowds
Pahalgam is about 90 km from Srinagar at roughly 2,200 m. In winter the Lidder river runs between snow covered banks and pine forest, and the town is far quieter than in summer.
Betaab Valley stays open on most winter days, and Aru Valley is reachable when the road is clear. The road to Chandanwari is usually closed from December to April. Sightseeing in these inner valleys is by local union taxi only, which is paid separately.
Doodhpathri: an easy day trip
Doodhpathri is a wide meadow in Budgam district, about 42 km from Srinagar. In winter it becomes an open snowfield with far fewer visitors than Gulmarg. Go on a clear day and return before dark, because the road can close after heavy snowfall.
Srinagar: snow on the lake, if you are lucky
Srinagar sits at about 1,585 m, so it gets far less snow than the resorts. Most winters bring a few spells, and the snow often melts within days. On many days when Gulmarg gets snow, Srinagar gets rain.
When it does snow, a shikara ride on Dal Lake and a walk through the Mughal Gardens are hard to beat. Use Srinagar as your base and treat snow here as a bonus.
Getting to Kashmir and getting around in winter
Kashmir stays open all winter, but snow can delay flights and close roads at short notice. Keep one buffer day in your plan.
By air
Srinagar airport (SXR) is the main gateway. Snow and poor visibility can delay or cancel flights in December and January. Avoid tight onward connections on your return day.
By train
Kashmir is now on the rail map. Vande Bharat trains built for sub-zero weather run between Katra and Srinagar, and a direct Jammu Tawi to Srinagar service began on 30 April 2026. The train is a dependable option when the highway is shut.
By road
The Jammu to Srinagar highway often closes for hours or days after heavy snow or landslides. The Mughal Road and the Zojila pass shut for the winter.
Getting around the valley
Book a private cab with a local driver who knows winter roads. The last 13 km from Tangmarg up to Gulmarg can need snow chains, and union taxis from Tangmarg are often the practical choice after fresh snow.
Stay Pattern cabs start from ₹2,500 a day for a sedan and ₹3,200 for an SUV. For families, the Innova Crysta is the most comfortable choice on hill roads.
Start day trips by 8 AM. Daylight is short in winter and roads turn icy after dark.
Mobile network
Prepaid SIM cards from outside Jammu and Kashmir do not work here. Carry a postpaid connection from Jio, Airtel or BSNL.
What to pack for snow in Kashmir
Dress in layers, and keep your feet and hands dry.
Thermal inner layers, top and bottom
A fleece or sweater, with a heavy padded or down jacket over it
Waterproof snow boots with good grip, and woollen socks
Waterproof gloves, a woollen cap and a muffler
Sunglasses and sunscreen, because snow glare is strong
Lip balm and moisturiser for the dry cold
A power bank, because batteries drain faster in the cold
Your regular medicines
Snow boots, jackets and gloves can be rented at Tangmarg and Gulmarg, so you do not need to buy everything.
What does a winter trip to Kashmir cost?
A 5 night winter trip with Stay Pattern starts at ₹24,999 per person, excluding flights. That is the price of our Kashmir Winter Retreat, which covers Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam over 6 days.
The package includes hotel stays, a private cab, airport transfers, breakfast and dinner, and a shikara ride on Dal Lake.
Budget separately for:
Flights to and from Srinagar
Gulmarg Gondola tickets, about ₹800 for Phase 1 and ₹1,000 for Phase 2 per person
Skiing lessons, sledging and other snow activities
Union taxis for Pahalgam's inner valleys
Rental of snow boots and jackets
Two ways to save:
Book 60 or more days before travel and use the code EARLYBIRD10 for 10% off.
Travel from mid January to February, when demand is lower than in the Christmas and New Year week.
See all our Kashmir winter packages.
Where to stay for snow in Kashmir
Split your nights between Srinagar and the mountains. Two nights in Srinagar, two in Gulmarg and one in Pahalgam works well, and it is the plan our Kashmir Winter Retreat follows.
Srinagar: Lake Avenue by Stay Pattern near Dal Lake, Hotel Saffron by Stay Pattern in Jawahar Nagar, and Aurum Luxury Collection by Stay Pattern overlooking Dal Lake.
On the water: Harmukh Houseboat by Stay Pattern on Nigeen Lake. Not sure which to choose? Read hotels vs houseboats in Kashmir.
Gulmarg: Gulmarg Woods by Stay Pattern, close to the Gondola, and The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa for a luxury stay. See all Gulmarg hotels.
Sonamarg: Badar Resort & Spa by Stay Pattern. See all Sonamarg hotels.
Pahalgam: River Dale by Stay Pattern.
Snow dates cannot be booked, but a flexible plan can. Tell us your travel dates on WhatsApp at +91 96223 33330, or talk to a travel expert, and our Srinagar team will build your trip around the season.
