Most rental problems in Gulmarg are the same two problems. The boot doesn't fit, so the skier spends the week fighting the equipment instead of the mountain. And the ski is too narrow for the snow, so a day people flew across the world for turns into an afternoon of sinking.
We stock for the mountain we actually have. Powder-capable skis and boards, because a ski that works in Europe on 20 cm over a firm base is undergunned in a metre of cold Kashmiri snow. Full avalanche safety kits, transceiver, shovel, probe, pack, and ABS airbag packs, because everything above the Gondola is avalanche terrain. And boots fitted by someone who has watched what a badly fitted boot does to a week's holiday.
Gulmarg Snowkings has run a ski school and a guiding operation here since 2006, registered with J&K Tourism under permit no. JKAT00005678. The shop exists because our own guides and clients needed gear worth taking onto Apharwat.
All rates below are per person, in Indian Rupees. The weekly rate is six days' price for seven days' use, the seventh day is free.
Combo offers
Renting items separately is always available and always more expensive. These seven combos cover what people actually walk out of the shop with, and each one is priced below the sum of its parts.
1. Beginner Ski Combo: ₹1,100/day, ₹6,600/week
Alpine ski set (skis, boots, poles), helmet, goggles
Everything a first-timer or improving skier needs on the beginner slopes. Saves ₹200 a day, ₹1,200 a week.
2. Beginner Snowboard Combo: ₹1,500/day, ₹9,000/week
Snowboard set (board, bindings, boots), helmet, goggles
The same for riders. Saves ₹300 a day, ₹1,800 a week.
3. Head-to-Toe Ski Combo: ₹1,750/day, ₹10,500/week
Alpine ski set, helmet, goggles, ski jacket, ski pants
For guests who arrive without winter clothing, which is more of them than you'd expect. Saves ₹350 a day, ₹2,100 a week.
4. Head-to-Toe Snowboard Combo: ₹2,200/day, ₹13,200/week
Snowboard set, helmet, goggles, ski jacket, ski pants
Saves ₹400 a day, ₹2,400 a week.
5. Powder Day Combo: ₹3,200/day, ₹19,200/week
Powder ski set or snowboard set, helmet, goggles, full avalanche safety kit (transceiver, shovel, probe, pack)
For anyone riding off-piste terrain with a guide. The kit is not optional above the Gondola and this is the cheapest way to carry it. Saves ₹600 a day, ₹3,600 a week.
6. Backcountry & Touring Combo: ₹4,300/day, ₹25,800/week
Touring ski set (touring bindings, boots, poles, skins) or splitboard (board, boots, skins), helmet, goggles, full avalanche safety kit
The complete earn-your-turns setup. Saves ₹800 a day, ₹4,800 a week.
7. Safety Combo: ₹2,300/day, ₹13,800/week
Full avalanche safety kit, helmet, goggles
For guests bringing their own skis or board but not their own safety equipment, which is most people flying in with gear. Saves ₹300 a day, ₹1,800 a week.
Airbag upgrade, add ₹1,400/day or ₹5,400/week to any combo containing the avalanche safety kit, and your standard pack becomes an ABS airbag backpack.
Individual rental rates
| Equipment | Advised for | What's included | Per day | Per week (7 days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine ski set | Beginner / Intermediate | Skis, boots, poles | ₹700 | ₹4,200 |
| Powder ski set | Advanced / Expert | Skis, boots, poles | ₹1,200 | ₹7,200 |
| Touring ski set | Advanced / Expert | Touring bindings, boots, poles, skins | ₹2,500 | ₹15,000 |
| Snowboard set | Beginner / Intermediate | Board, bindings, boots | ₹1,200 | ₹7,200 |
| Splitboard | Advanced / Expert | Splitboard, boots, skins | ₹2,500 | ₹15,000 |
| Helmet | All levels | Ski / snowboard helmet | ₹300 | ₹1,800 |
| Goggles | All levels | Goggles | ₹300 | ₹1,800 |
| Ski jacket | All levels | Insulated waterproof jacket | ₹400 | ₹2,400 |
| Ski pants | All levels | Insulated waterproof pants | ₹400 | ₹2,400 |
Avalanche safety equipment
| Equipment | Advised for | What's included | Per day | Per week (7 days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full avalanche safety kit | Advanced / Expert | Transceiver, shovel, probe, backpack | ₹2,000 | ₹12,000 |
| Transceiver (beacon) | Advanced / Expert | Digital avalanche transceiver | ₹600 | ₹3,600 |
| Shovel | Advanced / Expert | Avalanche shovel | ₹300 | ₹1,800 |
| Probe | Advanced / Expert | Avalanche probe | ₹300 | ₹1,800 |
| Backpack | Advanced / Expert | Ski touring backpack | ₹1,100 | ₹6,600 |
| ABS airbag backpack | Advanced / Expert | Avalanche airbag backpack | ₹2,500 | ₹12,000 |
The full kit saves ₹300 a day against renting the four items separately. If you are going above the Gondola, take the kit, and know how to use it. We run avalanche safety training and every guided day includes a transceiver check before we leave the base.
What to rent, by ability
Never skied or ridden before. Alpine ski set or snowboard set, plus helmet and goggles, the Beginner Combo. Do not rent powder skis on day one; a wide ski is harder to steer at low speed and you will fight it. Note that if you have booked one of our beginner packages, all of this is already included and you do not need to rent anything.
Comfortable on groomed runs, first trip to Gulmarg. Alpine set is enough for lift-served Kongdoori terrain in firm conditions. If there has been snow in the last three days, take the powder set, the difference is not subtle here.
Skiing or riding off-piste, with a guide. Powder ski set or snowboard set, plus the full avalanche safety kit. That is the Powder Day Combo. The kit is a requirement on every guided off-piste day we run, not a suggestion.
Touring or splitboarding beyond the lifts. Touring set or splitboard, plus the full kit, the Backcountry Combo. Consider the airbag upgrade for sustained-pitch objectives.
Bringing your own skis or board. Take the Safety Combo. Most people who travel with their own equipment do not travel with a transceiver, shovel and probe, and Gulmarg is not a place to ride off-piste without them.
Fitting, delivery and how it works
Fitting comes first, and it takes time. Boots are fitted before anything else, because a boot that fits does more for your week than any ski. Allow 30–45 minutes on your first visit. Bring your ski socks, one warm pair, not two thin ones.
Come the evening before. The shop is busiest between 8am and 10am. If you arrive in Gulmarg the day before you ski, get fitted that evening and start your first morning on the lift instead of in a queue.
Bindings are set to you. For skis, DIN release settings are calculated from height, weight, boot sole length and ability, and recorded. For boards, stance direction, angles and width are set on arrival.
Swap it if it's wrong. If the boot hurts or the ski is wrong for the conditions, bring it back and we will change it. There is no charge for a swap within the same category.
Group, family and long-stay rates
Guests on a Snowkings package: equipment is already included in every ski package and snowboard package we run. If you want to upgrade from the included set, to powder skis, a splitboard or an airbag pack, you pay only the difference.
Not included
GST where applicable, damage, loss or theft, airbag cartridge refills, personal clothing beyond the jacket and pants lines above, lift passes, which are bought separately from the Gondola ticket office or included in your package
Reserve your equipment
Tell us your dates, height, weight, shoe size and how much you've skied or ridden. We'll set your gear aside and have it fitted before you get here.
WhatsApp or call +91-9596300570.
Reserve equipment. WhatsApp us. Download the full rate card (PDF).