Overview 

Skiing is one of the most thrilling activities to do in the winter season. In India, there are many ski resorts, mostly situated in the Himalayas. The one that tops the list is Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir. At an altitude of about 2650 metres above sea level, the alpine slopes formed here provide a range of skiing experience. When planning a skiing trip to Gulmarg, having proper information about the cost is crucial. It is no hidden fact that skiing can be an expensive activity but with prior planning and advance bookings, it can be enjoyed under budget. There are many factors that affect the cost of skiing in Gulmarg such as peak months and off months, number of people, duration of the activity, etc. Winter season in Gulmarg lasts between December to March. While December and March are less crowded and hence you get affordable rates. However the same prices rise in January and February when it is the peak month for skiing. Needless to say, a solo skiing trip would cost much less than a whole family trip and a week trip is costlier than a few days. After all, it is very much possible to have a premium as well as an under budget trip of Skiing in Gulmarg. In this article, we have done a complete breakdown of skiing in Gulmarg cost. Take a look! 

Breakdown of cost of Skiing in Gulmarg 

• Accommodation: A wide range of resorts and hotels are in Gulmarg to stay in. While the majority are luxurious however, there are a few affordable ones on the outskirts. The ones close to slopes tend to be costly. However, the facilities here are top-notch. With a private bathroom to proper heat regulating arrangements, you get the best of services here. Some even include meals in the booking. The cost ranges between INR 5000-10000. If you opt for hotels that have spas, night camping, wellness centres, pools, the price can go as high as INR 20000 per night. 

• Ski lifts passes: Gulmarg Gondola rides are the available option to reach the ski slopes at Kongdoori, Apharwat Peak and Mary’s Shoulder. While for the former two, ski lifts are available in two phases, chair lift takes you to Mary’s Shoulder. The cost for the first phase from Gulmarg base to Kongdori is INR 400 ( for both Indians and foreigners). The second phase from Kongdori to Apharwat Peak is INR 550 ( for both Indians and Foreigners). The chairlift from Apharwat Peak to Mary’s Shoulder is INR 300. These are the prices of Single Lift Tickets. 

• Ski gears rental: As you venture into the skiing adventure, having the right gears is mandatory. They must suit your skill level. You don’t need to buy them and carry them all the way to Gulmarg from home. You can easily rent them at multiple ski rental shops of Gulmarg. Here is the one day price for various ski equipment. 

• Ski equipment (ski poles, ski pair, ski shoes) : 700 per day
• Ski Jacket : 300 per day
• Ski Trouser : 200 per day
• Ski Goggles : 100 per day

If you are on a long skiing trip and need them for more than one day, rent them altogether as that gives you some discount and lower prices. 

Overall cost of skiing in Gulmarg

A complete week trip for skiing in Gulmarg will cost INR 33,250 per person. There will be 5 days of skiing and you’ll stay in Gulmarg for 6 nights. If you are looking for a shorter trip, then a fun 5 days skiing trip is under INR 22, 250 per person. It included 3 days skiing and 4 nights stay in Gulmarg. 

Lastly, one day skiing in Gulmarg is for only INR 4,500 per person and this is the most affordable price that you can get. 

Inclusions

• 6/4 Nights Accommodation. 5/3 Days Training – 9am to 4pm.
• Food – Breakfast & Dinner.
• Qualified and Certified Ski Instructors.
• One Ski instructor with minimum 2 and maximum 3 people.
• Ski Equipment – Ski Shoes, Ski Poles, Ski Pair.

Exclusions

• Insurance.
• Personal Expenses
• Transportation in & around Gulmarg
• Ski Lift & Gondola charges
• GST.

Some tips to reduce Gulmarg skiing cost: 

• Advance booking is one of the most effective ways to cut some cost of skiing in Gulmarg. You get early discounts and better deals at Gulmarg skiing packages. 
• Visit Gulmarg in early or late winter months like December and March for lower rates. 
• Avoid weekends as they are very crowded and hence leads to rise in charges. Weekdays are much more convenient for budget-conscious travellers. 
• Stay in guesthouses and hotels away from the main busy town of Gulmarg. They are unnecessarily expensive in the main city. 
• Instead of private bookings, share taxis with fellow passengers and divide the cost. 
• Travel in groups as that’ll get you huge discounts in comparison to solo travels. 
• Christmas and New Year’s in Gulmarg are quite congested and crowded, which as usual leads to overpricing. You may want to avoid them for a pocket-friendly skiing trip. 

Best time for skiing in Gulmarg

The best time for skiing in Gulmarg is from December to March. As the temperature starts going below freezing level, heavy snowfall is experienced in Gulmarg. January and February are the coldest months in the valley. Snow slopes are formed in Gulmarg, leading to the accessibility of the thrilling sport of skiing. For the entire winter, the town is filled with adventure buffs, seeking the thrill of skiing on the alpine slopes. From heli-skiing to backcountry skiing, you can indulge in different types of skiing in Gulmarg. Even night skiing is a popular winter sport that people get highly interested in. And because there is a lot of snowfall in winters, you may face problems in reaching there, hence you can take the help of Kashmir taxi service, so that your journey to reach Gulmarg will be safe and comfortable.
Conclusion: This is everything you need to know about the potential cost of skiing in Gulmarg. Keeping in mind the possible factors that can influence the prices, you can plan a fun and adventurous trip to Gulmarg, this winter. Other than skiing, you can go for city tours to local attractions like Maharani Temple, Khilanmarg, Maharaja Palace, Baba Reshi Shrine, St. Mary’s Church, etc. Have a fantastic trip!