Chillai Kalan 2026 starts on 21 December 2026 and runs for 40 days to the end of January 2027; most Kashmir news reports give 31 January as the last day, a few give 30 January. It's the coldest stretch of the Kashmir winter, when nights in Srinagar drop well below zero, parts of Dal Lake can freeze and the best chance of fresh snow arrives.
Winter has already knocked. On 25 October 2026 Pahalgam recorded minus 0.3°C and Gulmarg minus 0.4°C, the first sub-zero nights of the season, and we put out a 10-slide carousel the same day with what that means for your trip: dress in layers, book gondola tickets only on etickets.jammukashmircablecar.com, go to Gulmarg early, carry a postpaid SIM, hire a cab with chains or 4x4, book a month ahead and keep a buffer day. This post is the longer version of that carousel.
Watch it on our Instagram: winter is here, what it means for you (25 October 2026)
Chillai Kalan dates for 2026-27
| Phase | Meaning | Length | Dates this winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chillai Kalan | "major cold" | 40 days | 21 Dec 2026 to 30 or 31 Jan 2027 |
| Chillai Khurd | "small cold" | 20 days | about 31 Jan to 19 Feb 2027 |
| Chillai Bachha | "baby cold" | 10 days | about 20 Feb to early March 2027 |
These are traditional periods, not forecasts. The phases and dates above are the ones Kashmir Observer, The Times of India and Drishti IAS used for last winter. The weather doesn't read the calendar: last season Rising Kashmir reported that Chillai Kalan ended on 30 January with only one spell of snowfall in the upper reaches.
How cold does Kashmir get in Chillai Kalan?
Here's what the Meteorological Department recorded last winter, as reported by PTI, The Tribune and Kashmir Observer:
- Srinagar: minus 6.0°C on the night of 8 January 2026, the coldest night of that season. Parts of Dal Lake, including its inner stretches, froze.
- Gulmarg: minus 9.2°C on the night of 7 January 2026.
- Sonamarg: minus 9.8°C the same night, the coldest place in J&K that day.
- Pahalgam: minus 7.6°C around 9 January 2026.
Days are milder than the nights; the Azadi Times outlook for late January 2026 put Srinagar's daytime highs at about 5 to 8°C. But frozen pipes, icy roads in the morning and early dark are normal for these 40 days. It's the season when the kangri and pheran come out in every Kashmiri home.
Is it a good time to visit?
Yes, if snow is the reason you're coming. Our reel from January shows exactly what guests come for: trees bent under fresh snow and a white hillside, filmed in Kashmir in January. Gulmarg is at its snowiest, skiing runs, and Srinagar has the frozen-edge Dal Lake look you can't get any other month. See our Dal Lake in winter post.
It's not a good time if you want long sightseeing days, green meadows or a fixed, no-change itinerary. Roads to Gulmarg and Sonamarg can close for a day after heavy snow, and the Jammu-Srinagar highway and flights can be held up too. For the month-by-month picture, read Kashmir in December and Kashmir in January.
Watch it on our Instagram: snow in Kashmir, captured in January
Our 7 rules for a Chillai Kalan trip
- Dress in layers. Thermals, a fleece or sweater, a windproof jacket on top, cap, gloves and woollen socks. Waterproof boots with good grip matter most, because snow and slush soak normal shoes in minutes. Snow boots are easy to rent locally. Our packing list has the rest.
- Book the gondola only on etickets.jammukashmircablecar.com. Avoid touts and "confirmed ticket" agents. Slots sell out fast in peak winter, so book once your dates are fixed. Our gondola booking guide explains Phase 1 and Phase 2.
- Go to Gulmarg early. Early morning means fresh snow, clear views and shorter queues at the gondola. By late morning crowds build up and the weather can change in the afternoon.
- Carry a postpaid SIM and some cash. Prepaid SIMs from outside J&K don't work here (why). Network and UPI can be patchy at high spots, and small stalls for kahwa, snacks and rentals often prefer cash.
- Use a cab with snow chains or a 4x4. The roads to Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg can get icy. Tell us your dates and we'll send a car with chains or a 4x4 for the snowy days.
- Book a month ahead. Christmas to New Year fills up first. Hotels and houseboats get booked out, so lock your stay and cab at least a month early.
- Keep a buffer day. Snowfall can close roads or change schedules. One free day in the middle of the trip saves the whole plan.
What this winter looks like so far
As of 26 October 2026: Pahalgam (minus 0.3°C) and Gulmarg (minus 0.4°C) have had their first sub-zero nights, Srinagar was at 2.9°C, and Qazigund touched 0°C (Meteorological Department figures reported by Greater Kashmir and KNO on 25 October). The forecast was dry until 31 October, with light snow possible over higher reaches on 1 to 3 November. We'll post fresh snow on our Instagram as it happens.
Frequently asked questions
When does Chillai Kalan start in 2026?
On 21 December 2026. It lasts 40 days, to the end of January 2027 (31 January in most reports, 30 January in some).
What is Chillai Kalan?
It's the Persian-origin name Kashmiris use for the harshest 40 days of winter. It's followed by Chillai Khurd (20 days) and Chillai Bachha (10 days).
Does Dal Lake freeze during Chillai Kalan?
Parts of it can. On 9 January 2026, after Srinagar's minus 6.0°C night, the inner stretches of Dal Lake were frozen. It doesn't freeze solid every year, and you should never walk on it.
Is snowfall guaranteed in Chillai Kalan?
No. It's the most likely time for snow, but last season Srinagar's plains had no snow by early January. Gulmarg is the safest bet for snow on the ground.
Plan your winter trip with us
We cover Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Srinagar all winter. Packages start from ₹12,999 per person for Srinagar, ₹16,999 for Gulmarg and ₹19,999 for Pahalgam (2 sharing), and cabs from ₹2,500 a day in an Etios or ₹3,500 a day in an Innova Crysta, with a 20% advance to confirm. See our winter tour package. We're rated 4.9★ from 152 Google reviews and registered with J&K Tourism (JKEA00005366).
WhatsApp 7006085655 or call 7006085655 or 9596044418 with your dates, and book early for Christmas and New Year.
