7-Day Gulmarg Powder Week

The 7-Day Gulmarg Powder Week (6 Nights)

The classic, paced freeride holiday designed for maximizing deep snow and recovery.

Note: Daily routing is dictated by live weather and Gondola operational status. Your guide will optimize each day to ensure you get the absolute best snow.

1. 1

   Day 1

   Arrival, Gear Calibration & Safety Protocol

   Your private 4x4 vehicle meets you at Srinagar International Airport (SXR) for the scenic climb to Gulmarg (2,650 m). After checking into your centrally heated, premium hotel, the afternoon is dedicated to gear fitting. You’ll meet your senior guide for a mandatory, hands-on avalanche safety and beacon briefing, which will fully prepare you for the morning.

2. 2

   Day 2

   The Phase 1 Shake-Down & Acclimatization

   To safely adjust to the altitude, we start on the lower mountain. Using the Phase 1 Gondola and chairlifts, we session the powder stashes through the mid-mountain pines. This allows your guide to assess the group’s pacing and freeride style while your legs and lungs adjust to the 3,000 m air.

3. 3

   Days 3 to 6

   High-Vertical Alpine Laps & Tree Skiing

   For the next four days, the focus is pure, gravity-fed freeriding. On bluebird days, we ride the Gondola to Phase 2 (3,980 m) to lap the massive, wide-open alpine bowls of Mount Apharwat — prioritizing efficient lift rotations and dropping up to 1,300 m of vertical per run without the exhausting boot packs of a touring expedition. On storm days, when heavy snow closes the upper Gondola, we deploy our 4x4 vehicles and shift to Gulmarg’s legendary tree skiing in the old-growth pine forests of Babareshi and Tangmarg, with drivers waiting at the bottom of each run to shuttle you right back up.

4. 7

   Day 7

   Departure

   Enjoy a warm, hearty breakfast and return your rental gear. Your dedicated 4x4 transit will collect you from your hotel for the smooth descent back to Srinagar Airport.

Avalanche Safety & Storm Day Protocols

View Package Details

What’s Included in Your Package+

• Premium Lodging: 6 nights of centrally heated accommodation at the hotel of your choice: Hotel Rosewood, Hotel Hilltop, The Vintage, or Grand Mumtaz.
• Meals: Daily breakfast and hearty dinners.
• 5 Days Guided Riding: Led by senior local backcountry guides with a decade of riding experience.
• Ski Passes: 6 days of unlimited access to the Gulmarg Gondola and lower lifts.
• Private Transit: 4x4 airport transfers (Srinagar ↔ Gulmarg) and any required in-resort vehicle shuttles.
• Emergency Support: 24/7 on-call medical doctor and helicopter rescue backup (subject to availability).
• Avalanche Safety Kit: Mandatory rental of beacon, shovel, probe, and ABS airbag, plus Day 1 companion rescue briefing.
• Cultural Experience: A curated visit to local markets or traditional Kashmiri dining spots upon request.

What’s Not Included (Exclusions)+

• Ski/Snowboard Rentals: Hard gear isn’t included in the base price but is available for hire.
• Flights & Visas: International or domestic airfare and Indian tourist visa fees.
• Travel Insurance: Mandatory medical and backcountry travel insurance.

The Terrain: Mount Apharwat & Shark Fin+

The ski run from the summit of Mount Apharwat (4,390m) to the Gulmarg base (2,650m) is one of the longest and most thrilling in Asia. Depending on whether you stick to the high-alpine bowls or venture into the deep off-piste tree lines, a single top-to-bottom run covers 5 to 7 kilometers and offers nearly 2,000 meters of vertical descent. Your guides will take you beyond the Gondola terminal (3,980 m) to access the mountain's 44 distinct ski ridges, including the world-famous double-black diamond “Shark Fin” trails.

Mandatory Safety & Travel Insurance+

Insurance Requirements: All guests must purchase comprehensive travel insurance that specifically covers off-piste/backcountry skiing and emergency helicopter evacuation.

Mountain Safety: Gulmarg's backcountry is wild and uncontrolled. Safety comes first. Our guides will select appropriate terrain based on prevailing weather, visibility, and daily avalanche conditions.