Here's the honest answer we give on the phone every October: the high peaks often get their first dusting in October, in a normal winter Gulmarg and the other resorts get proper, walk-in-it snow somewhere between late November and December, and Srinagar city, if it snows at all, gets it in the Chillai Kalan weeks of late December and January. Nobody can promise you a date. What we can do is tell you which month and which place give you the best odds.
Today we posted a short reel of our guests' reactions to snow last winter. If you've never stood in real snow, watch it first. That's the feeling this whole guide is about.
Watch the reel on Instagram: last winter's snow reactions from our guests (@traveletioskashmir)
Kashmir snowfall time at a glance
This is how a typical winter plays out. Every season is different, so read it as odds, not a timetable.
| Month | What usually happens | Where you're most likely to find snow |
|---|---|---|
| October | First snow on the high peaks and passes. Valley floor is dry, sunny and cool. | Apharwat (Gulmarg Gondola Phase 2), Sinthan Top, Zojila side of Sonamarg |
| November | Cold nights, occasional spells of snow in the higher resorts. Gurez road can shut with the first heavy snow. | Gulmarg upper slopes, Sonamarg, Apharwat |
| December | Chillai Kalan starts on 21 December. Snow becomes likely in the resorts; plains may get their first snow late in the month. | Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri |
| January | Coldest weeks. Best chance of snow in Srinagar itself. | Everywhere in the valley, if the western disturbances arrive |
| February | Snow cover still deep in the resorts. Chillai Khurd and Chillai Bachha follow the big chill. | Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam |
| March | Melting in Srinagar, but snow holds higher up. | Gulmarg upper slopes, Apharwat, Sonamarg |
When does the first snowfall come?
Earlier than most people think, but only up high. Last season is a good example. The season's first snow fell on Affarwat and Sunshine Peak above Gulmarg on the night of 2 to 3 October 2025, and Sinthan Top in Anantnag district got snow the same day, according to local news reports quoting the MeT department. A bigger spell from 5 to 7 October then brought fresh snow to the upper reaches of Sonamarg.
The plains are a different story. In the 2024-25 winter, Srinagar and the rest of the valley floor got their first snow only on 27 December 2024, about eight inches in the city and around 18 inches in Pahalgam, as reported at the time.
And some winters barely show up. After the 2023 season, the EU's Copernicus programme published satellite images of Gulmarg showing almost no snow cover, noting only one day of snow in December 2023 and none in January 2024. So if anyone guarantees you snow on a fixed date, be polite and keep looking.
Month by month: what to expect
October: snow on the peaks, gold in the valley
October is the driest, clearest month of the autumn. Srinagar's long-term averages (1991-2020) put the daytime high at about 23°C and the night low at about 6°C, with only two or three rainy days. You won't see snow in the city. You can see it up close by taking the Gulmarg Gondola all the way to Apharwat, at roughly 3,980 m, after an early spell.
Our take: October is for people who want the chinar colours, clear mountain views and a chance of fresh white on the tops. If you want snow under your boots, it's too early to bet on. Read our chinar leaves and Harud guide if autumn colour is the real draw.
November: the gamble month
Nights drop close to freezing in Srinagar (average low around 1°C, high around 16°C). Western disturbances can bring a proper snowfall to Gulmarg and Sonamarg, or November can stay dry and brown. The photo at the top of this post was taken at Gulmarg on 9 November 2018, according to its Wikimedia Commons record, so it does happen.
If you're thinking about Gurez, go before this. The Bandipora-Gurez road crosses Razdan Pass at about 3,300 m and usually closes after the first heavy snowfall, typically late October or November, and stays shut until late spring.
December: snow gets likely, and so does the rush
Chillai Kalan, the 40 days of hardest winter, begins on 21 December. From here your odds of seeing snow in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg are good, though not certain. Christmas and New Year are the busiest weeks of the whole winter, and decent heated rooms go first. We've written about that separately: why winter trips need booking about two months ahead.
One practical thing. When the 12 km stretch from Tangmarg up to Gulmarg is snowed over, normal cars need chains or you switch to a local 4x4. Our guide to Kashmir cab rates and union charges explains how that works and what it costs.
January: your best shot at snow in Srinagar
This is peak cold. Pheran and kangri season for locals, bukhari-warmed rooms for guests. If you dream of watching snow fall on Dal Lake or on the old city rooftops, January gives you the best odds.
Heavy snow also means disruption. After the snowfall of 27 December 2024, flights and rail services were suspended and the Jammu-Srinagar highway was closed for a while. Keep one spare day before your flight home. We mean it.
February: deep snow, fewer crowds
After Chillai Kalan comes Chillai Khurd (the 20-day "small cold") and then Chillai Bachha (the 10-day "baby cold"). Snow already on the ground in Gulmarg and Sonamarg usually stays put, and the holiday crowds have thinned out. For families who want snow play and some elbow room, February is a solid pick.
March: snow higher up, spring down below
Srinagar starts to thaw, but the upper slopes of Gulmarg and Apharwat can still hold snow, and Sonamarg often does too. The Sonamarg photo further down was taken in mid-April 2025, and there's still plenty of white on the ground.
Where to see snow in Kashmir
| Place | Approx. distance from Srinagar | Most reliable snow | Winter access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulmarg (and Apharwat by Gondola) | About 50 km | December to March; peaks from October | Open all winter; chains or local 4x4 above Tangmarg after snow |
| Sonamarg | About 80 km | December to March | Now reachable in winter through the Sonamarg (Z-Morh) tunnel |
| Pahalgam | About 90 km | December to February | Town stays open; side valleys depend on road clearing |
| Doodhpathri | About 42 km | December to February | Day trip; upper road can close after heavy snow |
| Srinagar | 0 km | Late December to January, not every year | City stays open; flights can be hit on heavy days |
| Gurez | About 125 km via Razdan Pass (5 to 6 hours) | Heavy snow all winter | Road usually closed from the first heavy snow until late spring |
Gulmarg
If snow is the whole point of your trip, base yourself here or make it your main day. It sits around 2,650 m, it's the valley's ski resort, and the Gondola lifts you towards 3,980 m where snow lingers longest. Gondola fares as of 2026 are roughly ₹800 for Phase 1 and ₹1,000 for Phase 2. Always check and book on the official J&K Cable Car Corporation site, not through touts.
Sonamarg
For years Sonamarg was cut off for most of the winter by avalanches on the road. That changed when the 6.5 km Sonamarg tunnel (earlier called Z-Morh) opened on 13 January 2025. It bypasses the avalanche-prone stretch, so Sonamarg is now a real winter option. Beyond Sonamarg, towards Zojila, is another matter and usually shut in deep winter.
Pahalgam
Pahalgam in snow is quieter and softer than Gulmarg: pine forest, the Lidder frozen at the edges, very few people. The town stays reachable; whether you can get up to places like Aru or Betaab depends on how recently it snowed and whether the roads have been cleared. Plan it as a slow, cosy stay rather than a sightseeing checklist.
Doodhpathri
Close enough for a day trip from Srinagar, and lovely under snow. After a heavy fall the upper road may not be passable, so treat it as a bonus day that we confirm the evening before.
Gurez
People ask us about Gurez in winter because it gets so much snow. That's exactly the problem: the Razdan Pass road is normally closed through the winter. See Gurez between June and early October, and come back to Gulmarg for your snow.
How we'd plan a snow trip
- Pick the month, then stay flexible on days. Mid-December to mid-February is the sweet spot for snow in the resorts.
- Put Gulmarg in the middle of your trip, not on the last day, so a snow day doesn't cost you your flight.
- Keep a buffer day before flying out. Heavy snow can shut the airport and the highway for a day or two.
- Ask how the room is heated. Central heating, oil radiator, electric blanket or bukhari, and whether it costs extra. Our Kashmir winter packages guide covers heating standards and sample routes.
- Pack proper layers and waterproof shoes. Sports shoes get soaked in ten minutes. Our Kashmir packing list has the details.
- Watch the MeT forecast the week before. The Srinagar MeT office issues advisories a few days ahead of each western disturbance, and we track them for every guest on the road.
FAQ
Which month is snowfall in Kashmir?
December to February is the main snowfall period, with January usually the coldest and snowiest in Srinagar. The high peaks around Gulmarg and Sonamarg can get snow from October, and higher slopes often hold snow into March and beyond.
Is there snow in Kashmir in October?
Only on the high peaks and passes, and only after a spell of bad weather. In 2025 Apharwat above Gulmarg got its first snow on 2 to 3 October. Don't expect snow in Srinagar or on the Gulmarg meadow in October.
When will it snow in Kashmir in 2026?
No one can give you a date this far out. Watch for the first western disturbance of the season, usually from October onwards, and the MeT advisories that come with it. For a trip where snow is the priority, plan for mid-December to mid-February.
Does it snow in Srinagar city?
Most winters, yes, but not always, and usually between late December and January. In the 2024-25 winter the first snow in Srinagar came on 27 December 2024.
Where can I find snow in Kashmir in March or April?
Head up. Apharwat via the Gulmarg Gondola and the higher parts of Sonamarg are your best bets once the city has thawed.
Want to catch this winter's snow?
Tell us your dates and who's travelling, and we'll tell you honestly what your snow odds look like, where to stay, and which car you'll need for the hill roads. Call or WhatsApp our Srinagar team on 7006085655 (or 9596044418). Last winter's reactions are on our Instagram. This winter's could be yours.
Photo credits: Featured image "Winter postcard from Kashmir!" by Rajarshi MITRA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. "Gulmarg Gondola, Cable Car" by Skywayman9, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. "Snowfall in srinagar" by Owais Khursheed, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. "Sonamarg (Kashmir)" by Gannu03, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. "Snow in Pahalgam, Kashmir" by Tathagat Arya, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. All images resized and cropped by TravelEtiosKashmir.