Is Skiing in Gulmarg Still Good in March? (2026 Guide)

Is skiing in Gulmarg still good in March? Real snow conditions, weather, crowds & gondola info from Gulmarg Snowkings’ guides — plus who should go.

Is Skiing in Gulmarg Still Good in March? A Straight Answer From 15+ Years on the Mountain

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Most people planning a Kashmir ski trip lock in January or February without a second thought — peak powder, peak crowds, peak prices — and March barely enters the conversation. That’s usually a mistake. After 15+ seasons guiding skiers across Gulmarg and Apharwat, March is one of the months we get asked about most, and one we recommend more often than people expect.

Short answer: yes, skiing in Gulmarg is still good in March, for most of the month. Snow holds well at altitude, crowds thin out noticeably, and weather is often more stable than the storm cycles of January. The longer answer depends on which week of March you’re talking about, and what kind of skiing you’re chasing — so here’s the honest breakdown, from a team that’s on this mountain every day of the season.

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Is There Still Snow in Gulmarg in March?

Yes — and often more than people assume. Gulmarg’s base sits at roughly 2,650m, with the Apharwat ridge climbing close to 4,000m via Phase 2 of the gondola. That elevation buys real margin: even as Kashmir’s lower valleys start warming, the upper mountain holds its snowpack well past the point most first-timers expect it to be gone.

March is actually one of the wetter months for the region. Early in the month, it’s common to get fresh snowfall stacking on top of an already-deep February base, which means early March frequently feels like full winter — cold mornings, firm re-frozen snow, occasional powder days that rival anything you’d get in January.

By mid-to-late March, lower-elevation and south-facing slopes start transitioning to spring snow: softer, sometimes a little heavy by afternoon. This isn’t inferior skiing, just different skiing — and it’s exactly the kind of snow a lot of our intermediate clients find more confidence-building than cold, fast powder. The rule our guides give clients: ski early in the day in late March, and head for the higher, shadier terrain off Apharwat if you want the closest thing to winter conditions.

Bottom line: first half of March = closest to peak-winter snow. Second half of March = softer, sunnier, more forgiving spring skiing. Both are good; they’re just different trips.

What Does the Weather Actually Look Like?

March runs noticeably milder than January and February, and that’s a big part of its appeal. Daytime temperatures typically sit in the 5–12°C range at the base, with nights still dropping below freezing — enough to reset and firm the snow overnight. Skies also tend to clear more often, which means more genuine bluebird days with real visibility across the Apharwat bowl, compared to the frequent storm systems that can shut down visibility (and lifts) in January.

That clearer sky comes with stronger sun at altitude than most visitors expect. Our guides carry spare sunscreen and glacier glasses for exactly this reason — March sunburn on the slopes is one of the most common, and most avoidable, complaints we hear.

Crowds and Prices in March

This is where March quietly wins. February is Gulmarg’s high season: accommodation books out weeks in advance, gondola queues stretch long, and good instructors and rental gear get snapped up fast. By March, that pressure eases off considerably. Lift lines shorten, restaurants aren’t packed, and hotel rates generally soften along with far better availability.

If you’ve ever wanted a Gulmarg trip without shoulder-to-shoulder lift queues and a scramble for guides, March is that trip. It’s also, frankly, when our own guiding team can give clients more one-on-one attention on the mountain.

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Gondola Access in March

The Gulmarg Gondola generally keeps running through March, and Phase 2 up to Apharwat becomes more important as the month goes on — it’s your route to the higher, colder, better-preserved snow while the base village warms up. Worth flagging honestly: the mountain’s snow safety operation, which governs when terrain is opened to skiers, typically winds down by the end of March. That makes late March genuinely the tail end of the operational season rather than a hidden bonus month, so it’s worth confirming current lift hours and any late-month closures before you lock in dates.

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Who Should Ski Gulmarg in March

Beginners tend to do especially well. Softer afternoon snow is more forgiving to fall on, days are longer, and lighter crowds mean more space on learner slopes and easier access to instructor time.

Intermediate skiers get one of the best value windows of the season — solid snow, better weather for finding your way around the terrain, and none of the February scramble for gear or lift access.

Advanced and off-piste skiers can still find excellent terrain, especially early in the month and at higher elevations, but should treat March as a narrower window than January or February. Snow quality varies more from day to day and aspect to aspect. This is exactly where a local guide earns their keep — knowing which faces are holding winter snow and which have already turned to slush on any given day isn’t something you can Google; it’s something we check every morning.

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Safety Considerations for March Skiing

Warming temperatures change how snowpack behaves, and March is a month where stability can shift quickly, especially on sun-exposed slopes. That’s not a reason to skip March — it’s a reason to stick to marked, patrolled terrain unless you’re with a certified guide, and to check daily avalanche and weather advisories before heading up. Every guide on our team carries standard backcountry safety kit (beacon, probe, shovel) on off-piste days, and we’d recommend the same for anyone heading off-piste independently.

February vs March: Which Should You Book?

Neither month is “better” outright — it depends on whether you’re chasing maximum powder or a more relaxed, comfortable trip with room to actually enjoy the mountain.

The Verdict

Skiing in Gulmarg in March is still good — arguably underrated. You trade a small amount of peak-season powder reliability for shorter queues, milder weather, and a noticeably calmer mountain. Early March gets you close to full winter conditions without the February crowds; late March leans into a relaxed, scenic, spring-skiing trip. Either way, snow totals and lift schedules vary more year to year in March than in the dead of winter, which is exactly why we check conditions daily and build every client’s itinerary around what the mountain is actually doing that week, not just the calendar.

Thinking about a March trip? Talk to a Gulmarg Snowkings Guide → — we’ll tell you honestly whether that week looks like winter or spring before you book anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there still enough snow in Gulmarg in March? Generally yes, especially at higher elevations near Apharwat. Lower slopes soften and can get patchy by late March in low-snowfall years, which is why it’s worth checking that season’s totals before booking.

Is March a good time for beginners to ski Gulmarg? Yes — softer afternoon snow, fewer crowds, and longer daylight hours make it one of the more comfortable months for first-timers to learn.

Does the Gulmarg Gondola run in March? Yes, typically through the month, though hours and the exact closing date can shift depending on conditions — always confirm current schedules before travel.

Is Gulmarg cheaper in March than in February? Usually. Accommodation and gear rental demand drops noticeably after February, and prices tend to follow.

Can advanced skiers still find good off-piste terrain in March? Yes, particularly in the first half of the month and at higher elevations, but conditions vary more day to day — skiing with a local guide is the best way to find what’s still holding good snow.