Best Time To Visit Gulmarg
Overview
Be it adventurous winter sports or recreational activities, Gulmarg is the top-notch selection.
This small town in Jammu & Kashmir invites tourists throughout the year and it has something to offer to everyone such as solo travellers, couples on their honeymoon, families, friends. Different seasons have their own charm and uniqueness, but the best time certainly depends on you. For every thrill-seeker, winter is the ultimate choice while summer must be your ideal pick for a crystal-clear view of the valleys, mountains and everything. Gulmarg in winter looks more beautiful and mesmerizing.
Although, It has gained worldly recognition as a skiing destination, you can not miss the nearby places that showcase its heritage in the most authentic form. The natural beauty here is splendid and a treat to the eyes. It is called “Meadow of Flowers” for the right reasons given the vibrant flowers blooming in the panoramas. The whole landscape is adorned with snow-laden peaks in the background. It is located at an altitude of approximately 8,694 ft. above the sea level and is a popular tourist destination of Kashmir Valley. The best time to visit Kashmir is summer as well as winter because both the seasons are ideal in their own way.
Here, we have done a detailed analysis of every season with the activities to do during that time of the year so that you are no more confused.
Choose The Best Seasons To Visit Gulmarg
Gulmarg in Summer
Summer in Gulmarg starts from somewhere in April and concludes in June.
The weather is lovely with temperature hovering between 15-30°C. By June end, the place also experiences light drizzling. During this season, several activities that you can enjoy are golfing, horse riding, paragliding, trekking etc. It is the optimal time for sightseeing and photography. There’s less snow on the ground, giving way to bursting of flowers. You get the maximum clarity of vistas, clefts and peaks.
It is the best time for exploration, and a perfect getaway with your family. Khilanmarg, Gulmarg Golf Course, Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve, Children’s Park etc. Roads are clear with ice totally melted by now. You won’t face any problem in driving or riding your vehicle.
Although, summer is the time when Gulmarg gets very crowded with an abundance of people coming here for vacations. This leads to hotels being very expensive and tourist spots quite congested. If you are someone who wants some peace and serenity here in Gulmarg,if possible, you can skip summer and come some other time like in july or august.
As long as packing is concerned, you must carry plenty of cotton clothes but also some light warm woollens and a jacket as it is still cold here.
Gulmarg in Autumn
Autumn commences in September after the monsoon season ends. It lasts till October wild temperature fluctuating somewhere in between 15-20°C with balmy weather. Autumn is short lived in Jammu & Kashmir and you will start to feel cold by mid-october. The whole hill station turns orange during this period with tree leaves starting to fall. Visit Gulmarg in Autumn to see the transition from summer to winter.
Autumn gives you ample opportunities for activities like trekking, photography, hiking and many more. This place is every photographer’s delight. You can click amazing shots here against the backdrop of the mighty mountains.
Nestled in the valley of Kashmir, here in Gulmarg, you can have slow walks into the forests here and admire the natural beauty with rich biodiversity.
You can visit Strawberry Valley, Ningle Nallah, Alpather Lake, Khilanmarg etc. for exploring more of it. The great thing about visiting Gulmarg in Autumn is that it is not that packed. You get great deals on accommodations such as in hotels. You must visit here for a budget-friendly trip.
You may see limited services during this time as hotels start to prepare for the winter influx.
Weather is quite unpredictable too with occasional rainfall affecting your itinerary. The winter recreational activities do not operate in September and october.
Gulmarg in Winter
From December to February, the gulmarg tourism is at its zenith in the Winter season. The cold season starts in November but it is not the optimal time, for the places are in a dull position with almost no snowfall.
The place turns into a winter wonderland from January onwards and it is till February. You will see thick layers of snow on the ground and get the once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing live snowfall. The temperature drops down to minus and remains somewhere between -4 to 5°C. Cold air blows and it can snow anytime.
It is an excellent time for the adrenaline-pumping winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, skating. Other highlights of this period are gondola rides, cable cars. You can also drive snow scooters and wooden sledges.
Some places to visit in Gulmarg in Winter are Strawberry valley, Apharwat Peak, The Ski Resort and many more.
Winter is definitely an outstanding time for a visit but it does come with some struggles like there are chances of snow storms and it may lead to blockage of roads and their temporary closure. You can explore kashmir through Srinagar taxi service.
Best time to visit gulmarg for snowfall
Winter is the ideal time to visit Gulmarg for snowfall. December is the time when it starts snowing here and it continues till March with different intensity. It is at its maximum in January and the lowest in March.
The snow that sticks to the ground is from January and till mid-february, offering activities like skiing, snowboarding, snowskating etc. You can catch live snowfall at this time of the year. Some other places of Gulmarg like Apharwat Peak experience snowfall till July but it quickly melts away too.
The place is filled with people who are winter sports enthusiasts. You must pack well with a few layers of thermals, thick jackets, gloves, warm socks, boots, beanies etc.
Best time to visit gulmarg for skiing
As we know skiing is a sport to be done in snow, hence winter, again, is the best time for skiing in Gulmarg. January and February are the most efficient months for it. The snow quality is excellent here and is even the same as in Switzerland. People from across the globe visit Gulmarg for a skiing experience. If you are someone who is new to this, you can also learn skiing with Cliffhangers India, offering courses with great discounts.
Gulmarg Ski Resort offers top-notch skiing facilities for experienced as well as beginners.
It is an unforgettable experience with world-class skiing terrains here but you must do it with safety. Take necessary precautions like wearing safety gear and being mindful of risky terrains. You can enjoy the winter adventure by skiing in Gulmarg.
Best time to visit gulmarg for honeymoon
For couples who have chosen Gulmarg for their honeymoon, months like March, April and September are some good choices. You can visit places like Khilanmarg, Alpather Lake, St, Mary’s Church etc. Gulmarg gandola, the highest cable car in the world, is here and you must do it once.
Well, it totally depends on you and the activities you would like to experience there, winter is a perfect time if you want to do things like skiing, snowboarding, skating etc.
On your honeymoon, you can dress in traditional attires of Kashmir and click pictures. Taste the delicious local cuisine here too.
Recommended time to visit Gulmarg
The most recommended time to visit Gulmarg is in winter and spring. Speaking month-wise, then that would be in February, April and September. It depends on your wish and the trip you want. For winter sports, February would be the optimal time. September is good for sightseeing and photography. Spring season commences in April, filling the whole valley with colourful flowers.
Pack accordingly to be comfortable. You can not miss wools no matter when you are visiting Gulmarg. It is always cold there if it is not daytime then at night.
FAQ's
Which is the best month to visit Gulmarg?
Which month of snow is best in gulmarg?
It snows in the maximum capacity in January and february. You get the chance to witness live snowfall. Gulmarg in january looks more beautiful because there is everything covered with snow.
Is Gulmarg worth visiting in summer?
Is it safe to visit Gulmarg in december?
Indeed, it is safe to visit Gulmarg in December. It is the month when winter tourism starts here and so does the cold season.
Is October a good time to visit gulmarg?
If you are someone who is into photography, then Gulmarg in Autumn is the efficient time for you, capture postcard-perfect shots as the whole atmosphere turns into hues.